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$15.56
1. Writing Science Fiction, Fantasy
 
2. AB Bookman's Weekly October 20
$14.92
3. How to Write Tales of Horror,
 
$9.95
4. Why Should I Cut Your Throat?
$103.50
5. Writing Horror and the Body: The
6. Write Good or Die
$22.80
7. Demand My Writing: Joanna Russ,
 
$71.67
8. Bloodscripts: Writing the Violent
$64.97
9. Bending the Landscape: Fantasy
$9.86
10. Bards And Sages Quarterly (Volume
$27.95
11. Dreaming Down-Under
$10.49
12. Shattered Mirror (Turtleback School
$14.72
13. The Long Walk (Turtleback School
14. The Running Man (Turtleback School
15. Gaunt Rainbow
$2.98
16. Demon in My View (Den of Shadows)
$0.97
17. In the Forests of the Night (Den

1. Writing Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror: How to Create Successful Work for Publication (Successful Writing)
by Christopher Kenworthy
Paperback: 127 Pages (1997-06)
list price: US$19.95 -- used & new: US$15.56
(price subject to change: see help)
Asin: 1857034562
Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars
Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France | Japan
Editorial Review

Product Description
The aim of this book is to demystify the art of science fiction writing. Using exercises, examples, questionnaires and checklists, it helps turn ideas into stories that will sell. It guides the reader through themes, structure and plot and explains how to create memorable characters. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

4-0 out of 5 stars Good book on writing, not much specific on SF
The general writing tips in this book are good, but I was a bit disappointed in the amount of tips specific for SF. There are few tips for fantasy, and almost no tips for horror writing. The book does handle basically all aspects of writing thoughs, from the first ideas and how to get them to how to find a publisher, so unless you already own books on writing this book is not a waste of money. I must say that in its further reading and publishing your book sections it is British-centered, but the general ideas there also hold true for America.

If you're a beginning SF writer, this might be the book for you, but if you already own books on creative writing I'd save your money and try to find something else. ... Read more


2. AB Bookman's Weekly October 20 1997 Sp[ecial Issue on Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror * The Career & Writings of Avram Davidson
by AB Bookman Weekly
 Paperback: Pages (1997)

Asin: B000LCR6UE
Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France | Japan

3. How to Write Tales of Horror, Fantasy and Science Fiction
Paperback: Pages (1991-07)
list price: US$14.99 -- used & new: US$14.92
(price subject to change: see help)
Asin: 0898794838
Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars
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Customer Reviews (6)

3-0 out of 5 stars MEDIOCRE ANTHOLOGY
This book suffers from the same problem most how-to-write books have: It doesnt teach you much in the way of how to improve your writing or much about the philosophy of fear. It doesnt provide a target or the means to hit a bulls-eye.

I've said this before: Editors buy what they personally like OR they buy from writers with a proven track record (regardless of how they feel about it). People know what they like AND you cant argue with success.

And the editor felt compelled to include a whining feminist who lectures writers about sexist stereotypes, etc. I have no idea why NOW doesnt screen every story and book and attach their union label to the writing they approve. My guess is they just like to whine.

The bottomline is: This effort is pretty much like every other impotent and flaccid how to write manual.

2-0 out of 5 stars Kind of general...
The book is the edited work of 26 writers, teachers and editors.The chapters are small, the details slim, the subjects bounce all over the place, and many of the rules and advice could be used by mystery or military writers.It was just too weak, telling me nothing that I couldn't guess at.If you want a solid piece of work about sci-fi/fantasy get the how-to-write books by Orson Scott Card.If you want just fantasy there are world building books by Gary Gygax.And if you want to learn about horror go to Stephen King.Go with the books that have the vision of one author, from the first page to the last.

4-0 out of 5 stars The parts that are good are excellent
This wonderful book is easily the most helpful thing I've ever read for the horror author. In essence, it is a collection of essays from various writers about writing speculative fiction and dark fantasy, with chapters by the likes of Ray Bradbury, Robert Bloch and Charles Grant. Much of the lessons do apply to Sci-Fi/Fantasy as well, although if that's your concentration I would recommend Orson Scott Card's "How to Write Science Fiction" before this.

The book is a brisk read right up until the chapter on the psychology of horror fiction which, frankly, reads like it was written by a psychologist. It was boring, tedious and felt very out of place among so many good essays.

The only other problem is the chapter at the end that supposedly helps you get published. While I'm sure it was quite helpful at the time it was written (in the mid-1980s), many of the publications it lists are now defunct and many of the practices have changed. It's not a bad section, it is simply past its time.

Regardless, for those who want to learn how to write horror from those who have done it, this book is well worth reading.

2-0 out of 5 stars More for the fantasy/horror writer than the SF writer
Science fiction gets the short shrift in this treatment, and the essays that do address science fiction in particular are too superficial.The tone of the other essays I read before returning the book is moreself-congratulatory than helpful.

5-0 out of 5 stars The best how-to book ever written
This is the best how-to book ever written. I got this book for Christmas back in 1989. I've read the chapter on how to write sword and sorcery fantasy many times. I highly recommend it to all aspiring authors. I wantto tell those who are just starting out not to give up. However, if you'restill unpublished ten years after you should have been, then consider it. ... Read more


4. Why Should I Cut Your Throat? Excursions Into the Worlds of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror.(Book review): An article from: Extrapolation
by John Langan
 Digital: 9 Pages (2006-06-22)
list price: US$9.95 -- used & new: US$9.95
(price subject to change: see help)
Asin: B000KQF4JG
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Editorial Review

Product Description
This digital document is an article from Extrapolation, published by Thomson Gale on June 22, 2006. The length of the article is 2641 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

Citation Details
Title: Why Should I Cut Your Throat? Excursions Into the Worlds of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror.(Book review)
Author: John Langan
Publication: Extrapolation (Magazine/Journal)
Date: June 22, 2006
Publisher: Thomson Gale
Volume: 47Issue: 2Page: 327(6)

Article Type: Book review

Distributed by Thomson Gale ... Read more


5. Writing Horror and the Body: The Fiction of Stephen King, Clive Barker, and Anne Rice (Contributions to the Study of Popular Culture)
by Linda Badley
Hardcover: 200 Pages (1996-06-30)
list price: US$115.00 -- used & new: US$103.50
(price subject to change: see help)
Asin: 0313297169
Average Customer Review: 2.0 out of 5 stars
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Editorial Review

Product Description
In this sequel to Film, Horror, and the Body Fantastic, Badley examines horror fiction as a fantastic genre in which images of the body and the self are articulated and modified. Badley places horror fiction in its cultural context, drawing important connections to theories of gender and sexuality. As our culture places increasing importance on body image, horror fiction has provided a language for imagining the self in new ways--often as ungendered, transformed, or re-generated. Focusing on the works of Stephen King, Clive Barker, and Anne Rice, Badley approaches horror as a discourse that articulates the anxieties of our culture. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

2-0 out of 5 stars Not for the casual fan
While Badley raises a few interesting points, she takes the literature far too seriously and will lose many readers because of her writing style, which is too heavy with academia.She also seems to have a feminist axe to grind, as she spends a great deal of space writing about feminist elements in the authors' work.

I would recommend looking for this at the library if you feel you must read it.There's not enough here to merit the cover price. ... Read more


6. Write Good or Die
by Scott Nicholson, Kevin J. Anderson, Gayle Lynds, Heather Graham, M.J. Rose, Alexandra Sokoloff, Douglas Clegg, Harley Jane Kozak, J.A. Konrath, Jonathan Maberry
Kindle Edition: Pages (2010-04-13)
list price: US$0.99
Asin: B003H4QZOG
Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars
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Editorial Review

Product Description
Survival tips for 21st century writers, from best-selling authors Kevin J. Anderson, M.J. Rose, Heather Graham, J.A. Konrath, Gayle Lynds, Alexandra Sokoloff, Jonathan Maberry, and more. How to develop your craft, improve your writing, get an agent, promote your work, embrace the digital age, and prepare yourself for the coming changes in the publishing industry. Edited by Scott Nicholson.

Other contributors include Elizabeth Massie, Harley Jane Kozak, Douglas Clegg, Brandon Massey, Mur Lafferty, Dean Wesley Smith, David J. Montgomery, Kristine Kathryn Rusch, Robert Kroese, and Adrienne Jones. Covering art, craft, and business, the ever-evolving manual supports the writing blog writegoodordie.blogspot.com.

All proceeds benefit the non-profit organization Literacy Inc., which promotes reading among teens. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

5-0 out of 5 stars Useful and practical advice for would-be writers
Scott Nicholson (editor) has gathered more than 30 articles on the writing craft and trade, in a text that will appeal to readers, writers and possibly language arts teachers as well. Kindle readers will recognize several of the contributors and will also be pleased to see chapters dedicated to discussion of e-book technology and its place in the literary industry.

All facets of writing are given coverage in this collection. Chapters include tips on remaining motivated; the actual writing process and using plot, characterization, voice, imagery and dialogue effectively; and the many avenues open to writers wanting to make a living from their craft.

This is not some sort of theoretical tome. Each article is short but jam-packed full of practical suggestions and written in a casual, accessible voice. Aspiring and practising writers will find numerous suggestions to apply to their own work in `Write Good or Die'.

An entertaining and informative read, that's a little bit motivational as well. Highly recommended.

5-0 out of 5 stars Good advice
This ebook has a lot of good advice, but I must say this, instead of paying $0.99 (which isn't a bad price) you can get it for free on ibooks in itunes...

5-0 out of 5 stars Writing advice from real authors
While you might find a book with advice from one or two authors, it's not often you find real-life advice from a group of authors across genres and styles. It wasn't apparent to me at first, but much of the book is a compilation of blog posts. I found this format to be a good thing as I discovered new authors, new blogs to delve into later and quick, digestible sections (rather than one long commentary).

Once inside, I was excited to see a number of the authors talking about story telling, structure and archetypes similar to what I've been reading from Blake Snyder's Save the Cat! SeriesSave The Cat! The Last Book on Screenwriting You'll Ever Need
and Vogler's Mythic Structure that outlines the hero's journey archetypes in story The Writers Journey: Mythic Structure for Writers, 3rd Edition.

These are not the only topics covered _at all_. Write Good or Die has something for everyone, with practical tid-bits based on experience you don't find in the typical writing book. And at the price I paid--$2.99--finding even just a few useful tips or ideas is well worth it.

5-0 out of 5 stars Over Thirty Carefully Selected Essays on the Craft and Business of Writing
I was attracted to this collection because of the many contributing authors I admire in it, and also because I knew Scott Nicholson (whose novels I've recently become a fan of) would do a great job with selecting helpful and interesting advice. 'Write Good or Die' met all of my high expectations.

The version I purchased contained 22 articles focused on specific areas of craft, and 11 articles focused on practical business matters for writers. Every single piece was worth reading, and the collection broadened my horizons and got me thinking about the craft and business of writing from new points of view--all of them from either successful or otherwise qualified contributors.

The current price is criminally low, and the proceeds from its sales support a writing-oriented charity. I give it as emphatic a recommendation as I can give.

5-0 out of 5 stars Terrific Reference Book
I write a blog called The Newbie's Guide to Publishing (and I also have an ebook of the same title) and I thought I knew it all. But after reading Nicholson's terrific collection, I realized I still had some things left to learn.

This is a must-read for all authors, both new and experienced. It's truly a treasure trove of information. Highly recommended. ... Read more


7. Demand My Writing: Joanna Russ, Feminism, Science Fiction (Liverpool University Press - Liverpool Science Fiction Texts & Studies)
by Jeanne Cortiel
Paperback: 272 Pages (1999-07-01)
list price: US$30.00 -- used & new: US$22.80
(price subject to change: see help)
Asin: 0853236240
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Editorial Review

Product Description

In this major study of the work of Joanna Russ, Jeanne Cortiel gives a clear introduction to the major feminist issues relevant to Russ’s work and assesses its development. The book will be especially valuable for students of SF and feminist SF, especially in its concern with the function of woman-based intertextuality. Although Cortiel deals principally with Russ’s novels, she also examines her short stories, and the focus on critically neglected texts is a particularly valuable feature of the study.

"I recommend this book to any reader interested in Russ’s fiction, or in women’s science fiction generally."—Science Fiction Studies
... Read more

8. Bloodscripts: Writing the Violent Subject (Theory and Interpretation of Narrative)
by Elana Gomel
 Hardcover: 312 Pages (2003-10)
list price: US$78.95 -- used & new: US$71.67
(price subject to change: see help)
Asin: 0814209491
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9. Bending the Landscape: Fantasy
by Mark Shepherd, Ellen Kushner, Lisa S. Sliverthorne, Simon Sheppard, Robin Wayne Bailey, Jessica Amanda Salmonson, Don Bassingthwaite, Tanya Huff
Hardcover: 384 Pages (1997-03)
list price: US$19.99 -- used & new: US$64.97
(price subject to change: see help)
Asin: 1565048369
Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars
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Editorial Review

Product Description
They are extraordinary characters living outside the bounds of reality. But you will recognize them... It's about being gay, being straight, falling in love, sorrowful partings, death, and fantastic circumstances. Bending the Landscape stretches the standard fantasy genre. In the groundbreaking anthology, queer writers write fantasy for the first time, and genre writers explore queer characters. But don't expect the usual fantasy backdrops-these stories will give you a frisson, a thrill, as they fizz off the page.Amazon.com Review
Bending the Landscape will be a series of anthologiesfocused on homosexual issues in genre fiction, but this one isn't soneatly pigeonholed as all that. Gayness, or someone's discovery of hisor her gayness, is indeed a common motif to all the stories, but insome it is central; in others, it's just a quality a characterhas--they happen to be having or have had a relationship with someoneof the same sex. It's generous in size, 22 stories, and generous inits embrace, ranging in tone from sitcom-like light entertainment("In Mysterious Ways," by Tanya Huff, and "MagickedTricks" by K. L Berac), to realism ("Gestures Too Late on aGravel Road" by Mark W. Tiedemann, and "Full Moon and EmptyArms" by M. W. Keiper), to realistic horror ("The House ofthe Man in the Moon" by Richard Bowes). Mythic fantasy, fairytales, and ghost stories are all here too, so this is more likereading a survey than a tightly thematic anthology. The variety isappropriate. Neither fantasy nor sex comes in just one flavor. Ifyou're at all interested in anything besides vanilla, sample this. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (8)

3-0 out of 5 stars A Warning
The stories are a mixed bag but well worth a look. All I really want to add to other readers' comments, though, is that the book was poorly proofread -- it is riddled with typos. If as a collector that kind of thing bothers you, you should be aware of this.

4-0 out of 5 stars Mind-bending fantasy
Because of its diverse bouquet of erotic undercurrents, BTL: Fantasy is especially adept with wry, bittersweet fantasies - not the swords-and-sorcery type, but touching tales with a modern-supernatural slant. There are all sorts of uplifting motifs here - getting over midlife crises (Antieau's "Desire"), revisiting childhood places ( Thrower's "The Home Town Boy"), dealing with the deaths of friends (Shepherd's "Gary, in the Shadows") and loved ones (Silverthrorne's "The Sound of Angels"), release and spiritual freedom (What's "Beside the Well"), turning back the clock on painful memories (Verona's "Mahu"), and so on.

As far as the subgenres represented in this volume, you'll find very few traditional hack-and-slash stories ("The Stars Are Tears," "Magicked Tricks," and "In Mysterious Ways" being the only three, and they're all comedic). Especially numerous are gritty-dark-urban-modern fantasies along the lines of Don Bassingthwaite's "In Memory of," a tale of two vengeful dragon-brothers vying for fragile human lovers in a city setting. Also numerous are fringe stories that don't quite belong to any single genre because they have so few fictional elements - Matter's "Water Snakes" is an example.

Unfortunately, the settings aren't a very original lot: many stories are set in generic urban environments; there are a couple bare-bones Oriental stories; even the purely imaginary settings (such as the one in Sherman and Kushner's "The Fall of Kings") didn't strike me as especially original.

The writing, however, is uniformly good, if totally unexceptional, fitting well with the characters that behave interestingly but almost never transcend their two-dimensionality. The sexual elements hardly ever seem over the top (though Sheppard's "There Are Things Hidden from the Eyes of the Everyday" is just too much), even if most stories do seem identical from this perspective.

Together with its science fiction counterpart, I consider BTL: Fantasy a quintessential resource for alternative genre fiction.

5-0 out of 5 stars Coming Into Our Own
As a writer and a long-time fan of fantasy literature, I was thrilled to see this collection. Overall, the quality is good. This is a solid,entertaining read. But more, it is a ray of hope for an under- and oftenmis-represented group of people in genre literature. Hopefully, with thepublication of this collection, and it's companion science fictionanthology, we will be seeing more gay and lesbian representation in the"mainstream" markets.

5-0 out of 5 stars Coming Into Our Own
As a writer and a long-time fan of fantasy literature, I was thrilled to see this collection. Overall, the quality is good. This is a solid,entertaining read. But more, it is a ray of hope for an under- and oftenmis-represented group of people in genre literature. Hopefully, with thepublication of this collection, and it's companion science fictionanthology, we will be seeing more gay and lesbian representation in the"mainstream" markets.

5-0 out of 5 stars Outstanding Writing
This book features some of the finest short fiction I've seen in fantasy literature. While sexuality is an important underlying theme, it does not overpower the force of most of these excellent stories. The characters arepeople, not political statements or stereotypes. I hope this book finds itsway into the hands of many mainstream readers. ... Read more


10. Bards And Sages Quarterly (Volume 1)
by Julie Ann Dawson
Paperback: 30 Pages (2009-01-08)
list price: US$10.49 -- used & new: US$9.86
(price subject to change: see help)
Asin: 1441415084
Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars
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Editorial Review

Product Description
Issue 1 of the Bards and Sages Quarterly features interviews with young adult fantasy author Virginia McMorrow (Making the Unbelievable Believable) and Hugo award winner Ron Miller (5 Classic Speculative Novels Everyone Should Read).Plus original speculative fiction from fresh new voices in the genre. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

5-0 out of 5 stars Rewriting the Future
"A Sprinkle in Time" makes the brain prickle.If we write our past through the lens of our present, is our present written by the needs of the future?Do we change the orthodoxies of what will be because of our hatred of what is?Do we have that right?Do we have that obligation?

Mr. Gillette makes us think not only of how we got to where we are but also of where we want to go and how will we accomplish that goal.Are we being led by visionaries or psychotics?Is there a difference between the two?Does it matter?

I love having my brain prickle!

4-0 out of 5 stars Like Isaiah's Suffering Servant
Whether apocryphal or true, it is said that Winston Churchill once wrote a friend words to the effect that, "I do not have time to write you a short letter, so I am going to write you a long one."To write a convincing story that is concise and crisp is a rare feat, but Glenn Lewis Gillette has achieved that in his futuristic tale "A Sprinkle in Time" in Bards and Sages Quarterly: April 2009c.

In just over 1000 words, though set in modern times, Gillette weaves a credible account that echoes the call of several biblical prophets.Amos, Jonah, and Jeremiah each resisted and resented the demand to speak God's truth.As Jonah literally turned away and then came to his senses amidst a watery encounter, so does the unnamed narrator resist this mysterious call, only to find an answer within a watery spray.

The title of this work is "A Sprinkle in Time."Does Gillette subtly convey a hidden message there?Without giving away the plot, like Isaiah's Suffering Servant, the narrator is "a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief."In the 17th century King James Version translation, it says that the unidentified servant will "sprinkle many nations" (Isa 53:3; 52:15).The word "sprinkle" in contemporary English translates as "startle."At the story's close, the narrator begins to receive . . . what may be startling prophecies.Can it be a coincidence that the last line in the tale reads: "A testament to my truth" ?

Tersely and tightly written, this short story challenges us to question our assumptions about the nature of revelation.
_______________
~An independent scholar, David J. Zucker, PhD, writes in the fields of biblical studies and modern literature. He has completed three books and contributed chapters to three other scholarly books. He also publishes articles and reviews regularly in a variety of journals; for details, see his website: [...] ... Read more


11. Dreaming Down-Under
Hardcover: 550 Pages (2000-12)
list price: US$27.95 -- used & new: US$27.95
(price subject to change: see help)
Asin: 0312878117
Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars
Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France | Japan
Editorial Review

Product Description
Despite not having been published outside of Australia, Dreaming Down-Under won the 1999 World Fantasy Award for Best Anthology, and stories from its pages have appeared in many Year's Best anthologies. Now we in this hemisphere can enjoy this excellent anthology without a round-the-globe trip.

Internationally acclaimed author Harlan Ellison recently declared that this is the Golden Age of Australian Science Fiction. Dreaming Down-Under showcases this Golden Age with thirty-one exciting original stories by both acknowledged masters and hot new writers from--where else?--Down-Under.Amazon.com Review
The World Fantasy Award winning-anthology Dreaming Down-Under manages the impressive feat of being both a definitive Golden Age compilation and a new wave groundbreaker. This is because Australian speculative fiction has entered a golden age at the turn of the millennium, and because the editors of Dreaming Down-Under, Jack Dann and Janeen Webb, asked contemporary authors born or living in Australia to contribute the best speculative fiction they could create. The 30 contributors have lived up to the challenge, producing stories that are uniformly literary, frequently ambitious, and sometimes disturbing. The stories range all across imaginative literature, from revisionist myth to hardboiled cyberpunk, from paranoid horror to imaginary-world fantasy. Dreaming Down-Under may reshape the future of speculative fiction not only in Australia, but around the world.

In addition to its generous 200,000-plus words of original fiction, the anthology contains 20,000 words of interesting and informative nonfiction. The editors introduce Dreaming Down-Under with a discussion of the current antipodean ferment and a short history of Australian science fiction; they also provide each story with an individual introduction. Each author provides an afterword for his or her story. Fittingly, Dreaming Down-Under also has a passionate preface by Harlan Ellison, who edited the legendary Dangerous Visions anthology series (1969-1973) that changed SF forever. --Cynthia Ward ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

5-0 out of 5 stars Australian SF Reader
An eclectic anthology I suppose you could say, with the second volume better than this, the first one. (3.87 average versus 3.56, or 3.71 for the lot, if you like), which places it ahead of the various McNamara offerings, by just a little. There is a useful introduction, with a bit of history there, although, for an Australian volume quite a bit of time wasted on Harlan Ellison worship, as far as the intro goes. Science fiction, fantasy and horror to be found here.

Dreaming Down Under 1 : Entre les Beaux Morts en Vie - Sean Williams
Dreaming Down Under 1 : A Walk-On Part in the War - Stephen Dedman
Dreaming Down Under 1 : The Man Who Lost His Shadow - Isobelle Carmody
Dreaming Down Under 1 : Night of the Wandjina - Wynne Whiteford
Dreaming Down Under 1 : The Dancing Floor - Cherry Wilder
Dreaming Down Under 1 : To Avalon - Jane Routley
Dreaming Down Under 1 : Ma Rung - Steven Paulsen
Dreaming Down Under 1 : Dream Until God Burns - Andrew Enstice
Dreaming Down Under 1 : Queen of Soulmates - Sean McMullen
Dreaming Down Under 1 : The Doppelganger Effect - Dirk Strasser
Dreaming Down Under 1 : The Marsh Runners - Paul Brandon
Dreaming Down Under 1 : Real Men - Rosaleen Love
Dreaming Down Under 1 : The Womb - Damien Broderick
Dreaming Down Under 1 : The Body Politic - Tess Williams
Dreaming Down Under 1 : With Clouds at Our Feet - Simon Brown

Really old people can be dull and boring, or, zombies and vampires, not such a great idea.

4 out of 5


Odysseus smart, forward thinking. Paris, not so much.

3.5 out of 5


Seeking and snogging.

2.5 out of 5


Puppets should be made of wood, not flesh.

3.5 out of 5


Android archaeology.

4.5 out of 5


Rocksy Music.

4 out of 5


'Nam spirit patrol.

4 out of 5


Crispy. Ouch.

3.5 out of 5


Superweapon survival strategy.

4.5 out of 5


Hyperstress.

3 out of 5


Madhouse monsters.

3 out of 5


If Ghost Rider had an open-wheeler.

1.5 out of 5


Dream delving religion.

4 out of 5


Aliens like 'em really young.

3.5 out of 5


John Long Pig will do for the very hungry.

4.5 out of 5


Red moo juice.

3.5 out of 5


Dreaming Down Under 2 : The Evil Within - Sara Douglass
Dreaming Down Under 2 : The Soldier in the Machine - Russell Blackford
Dreaming Down Under 2 : Matilda Told Such Dreadful Lies - Lucy Sussex
Dreaming Down Under 2 : Unborn Again - Chris Lawson
Dreaming Down Under 2 : The Latest Dream I Ever Dreamed - Norman Talbot
Dreaming Down Under 2 : The Truth About Weena - David J. Lake
Dreaming Down Under 2 : Two Recipes for Magic Beans - Rosaleen Love
Dreaming Down Under 2 : Wired Dreaming - Paul Collins
Dreaming Down Under 2 : Descent - Cecily Scutt
Dreaming Down Under 2 : Tamed - Robert Hood
Dreaming Down Under 2 : And Now Doth Time Waste Me - George Turner
Dreaming Down Under 2 : Jetsam - Kerry Greenwood
Dreaming Down Under 2 : Prelude to a Nocturne - Rowena Cory Lindquist
Dreaming Down Under 2 : The Third Rail - Aaron Sterns
Dreaming Down Under 2 : The Last Dance - Ian Nichols


Gargoyle evil slayers a bit stringent for priest's liking.

4 out of 5


Paracognitive reflex research enhanced by music and dance.

5 out of 5


Waltzing Bunyipa.

4.5 out of 5


Baby brain bits disease treatment.

4 out of 5


Dream spooks steal secrets.

3.5 out of 5


Time Machine paradox.

4 out of 5


Precocious porker.

3.5 out of 5


SVU cop's transformed crusade.

3.5 out of 5


Family Hell.

3 out of 5


Monster people power.

3 out of 5


In truth, youth serum requires smarts.

4.5 out of 5


Godly old driftbloke.

4 out of 5


No puberty blues.

4 out of 5


Metropolitan lack of integrity, physical and mental.

3.5 out of 5


Rock and roll magic.

4 out of 5

2-0 out of 5 stars Blunt cutting edge
I bought this anthology that was advertised in such glowing terms. I must say I was disappointed in stories that are meant to represent the 'wild side' of Australian Fiction. None of the stories in this book really left a lasting impression of this reader.

In fact I don't understand why some of these stories were published at all. Some of the stories Ma Rung, The Body Politic, seemed to be predictable cliches, that take overdone themes and don't take them in a new direction. Other writers such as Sara Douglas and Stephen Dedman, who I have enjoyed in other anthologies do not present there best work here. To me the stories seem to be mostly a collection of second rate stories from some editors slush pile. (ie the Last Dance by Ian Nichols- this bloke seems to have an aversion to driving along country roads in Western Australia, give me the wildflowers of Merredin, rather than the industrial landscape you hit not long after, the first traffic light at Armadale).

Perhaps I just not a fan of speculative fiction, but I rarely got beyond the first page of half of these stories. I'm a lot more careful in my selection of reading material, I'm wary of the glowing wraps given to books such as this one that are not fulfilled

5-0 out of 5 stars Exciting Australian SF anthology
This speculative fiction anthology contains thirty-one powerful tales written by Australian authors.The tales run the gamut crossing fantasy, horror, and science fiction with each contribution well written.Audiences outside of Australia have read several of the writers such as Sara Douglas, Isobelle Carmody, and the late Paul Turner, etc.These authors provide their usual powerful story.Of interest at least to this reviewer is writers that I never read before.These "newcomers" apparently have a strong reputation in Australia and fans will quickly understand why, and like me, will seek other works by these talented contributors who open up brave new worlds for readers.DREAMING DOWN-UNDER is speculative fiction short story collection at its best.

Harriet Klausner

4-0 out of 5 stars One of the authors pleads for your money
I am one of the writers in this anthology.

If you care about science fiction, fantasy, horror, or "slipstream" fiction, then you should buy anthologies like this. The genre has always thrived on short fiction.

Why should you buy this particular anthology? It won the World Fantasy Award and the Ditmar Award. Its editors are Jack Dann, Nebula-Award-winning writer, and Janeen Webb, who is that rare combination: a respected literary academic *and* an excellent fiction writer.

The anthology dominated the Australian awards. All six short story nominations for the Ditmar Award came from the anthology ("The Truth About Weena" won). Not surprisingly, it won the Ditmar for Best Magazine or Anthology in its own right. Stories from Dreaming Down Under also dominated the Aurealis Awards, winning for Best Science Fiction Short Story ("The Truth About Weena") and for Best Fantasy Short Story ("A Walk-On Part in the War").

My story from the anthology has been reprinted twice (in the Dozois Year's Best Science Fiction #16 and Event Horizon), has been translated into French for Galaxies magazine, and has been optioned for feature film development. And it wasn't even one of the award-nominated stories!

Finally, it has a fantastic cover by Hugo-nominated artist Nick Stathopoulos, which also won a Ditmar.

It's an enormous anthology with a breadth of style and subject matter. The only drawback: you might need to train at the gym to strengthen your wrists while reading it.

5-0 out of 5 stars Outback Daydreams
For those who are always looking for the cutting edge of SF, fantasy, and horror, and expanding their horizons, look no further. DREAMING DOWN UNDER is a superlative collection of 31 stories by some of today's best Australian writers out there today. Most of these authors, relatively unknown here in the States (though, since the book's original release in 1998, and a World Fantasy Award winner, some of these tremendous talented authors have started to appear here).Sean Williams, Lucy Sussex, Isobelle Carmody, and Damien Broderick are just starting to appear, while Stephen Dedman, Cherry Wilder, Terry Dowling, Wynne Whiteford, and Sean McMullen are some of the authors that have become a staple in the SF genre. The collection also contains the late and wonderful (Father of Australian SF), George Turner's last, finished just days before his death, but brilliant novella "AND NOW DOTH TIME WASTE ME". Highly recommended for those hungering for a different type of dream... ... Read more


12. Shattered Mirror (Turtleback School & Library Binding Edition)
by Amelia Atwater-Rhodes
School & Library Binding: 557 Pages (2003-07-01)
list price: US$17.20 -- used & new: US$10.49
(price subject to change: see help)
Asin: 0613723309
Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars
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FOR USE IN SCHOOLS AND LIBRARIES ONLY. A supernatural story featuring witch and vampire hunter, Sarah Vida, who finds herself drawn to a vampire whose twin is one of the most hunted vampires in history.Amazon.com Review
It's not easy being a vampire-hunting witch, but Sarah Tigress Vida has learned from the best. The witches of the Vida family line have been successfully stalking and staking the undead for centuries, and Sarah is immensely proud of her ancestry. So, the last thing she would ever do is befriend one of the enemy. She has always faithfully followed the golden Vida rule of vampire hunting: "Knowing your prey can cause hesitation, and when one is a vampire hunter, hesitation ends in death." Then she meets artistic, sweet Christopher. A benign vampire, Christopher lives off of animal blood or the blood of willing human donors, and begins to gently woo Sarah with his poetry and drawings. Completely against her slayer instincts, Sarah reluctantly begins to care for Christopher... until she discovers that his twin is the vampire Nikolas, infamous for his habit of carving his name into the flesh of his victims. Sarah has always sworn to be the Vida to take Nikolas out, but her feelings for Christopher have allowed her to hesitate--a hesitation that may cost her not only her family's sterling reputation, but her mortal soul.

With Shattered Mirror, wildly popular teen author Amelia Atwater-Rhodes continues to effectively tap the vein of universal adolescent fascination with all things brooding and blood-sucking. Ardent fans will be pleased to see the return of characters from the author's previous books, like healer witch Caryn Smoke. This complex dynasty of witches and vampires will no doubt enjoy long, imaginary lives as the young author continues to hone her witch... er, writing craft. (Ages 12 and older) --Jennifer Hubert ... Read more

Customer Reviews (132)

5-0 out of 5 stars Loved It
This was the first Amelia Atwater Rhodes book I read, and it made me go out and buy all her books. She is one of my favorite author. I cant wait to read the sequel All Just Glass.

3-0 out of 5 stars Reading with Tequila
Shattered Mirror would have been exactly like the first season of Buffy the Vampire Slayer if Buffy has been less perky and faked a more "tough-girl" act. Sarah is a vampire hunting witch. She kills vampires because they are bad by definition. That is until she meets Christopher. He's a good vampire. When he was eating humans, he went by a slightly different name - Kristopher. Even though she fights it, she falls for him. Sound familiar?

The story isn't bad, the writing is simple and there isn't much graphic violence. Overall, the book wouldn't be a bad fit for the youngest of teen fiction readers. Nothing new is covered and older readers will have seen it all before.

4-0 out of 5 stars Mom of 3, devote reader
I don't normally read young adult books but I was desperate and this had good reviews. I was only flipping throough it, not really going to read it but after reading the first chapter I read it through in one sitting.

Vida, the vampire slayer, befriends two weak vampires and discovers the world is not black in white. (Its actually amusing that the vampires have similar qualities to Twilights' vampires although this one was written 7 yrs earlier.)

Overall, an enjoyable book for all ages.

5-0 out of 5 stars Shattered Mirror--the third book by one of my favorite authors
Shattered Mirror is the third book by Amelia Atwater-Rhodes, and it doesn't disappoint me.I first started reading this author's books in middle school, and I'm now an adult.I decided to reread this book because of my fond memories of it and to see if I still like it or if nostalgia has clouded my memory.Well...I still liked it!Not to say that this book doesn't have its share of flaws, but it also has many positive points (at least in my opinion).

The story this time follows Sarah Vida, a witch and vampire hunter. She tries to please her sister and over-strict mother, but never seems to measure up to their standards.When she moves to a new school, she is befriended by two weak vampires.Obviously, her family disapproves and the whole situation escalates out of control...Clearly there's much more to the story than that, but I don't want to spoil it.

Amelia's first book was written about a vampire, and her second book followed the exploits of a human protagonist.This book is about a witch, and I really enjoy the variety that the author is giving us.As with "Demon in my View", familiar characters appear, whom you would recognize if you have read the previous two books.It's a nice little easter egg for those who've been following the author's work.However, the stories are not direct sequels of each other and can be enjoyed without having read the other books.The only downside is that you might be a little confused about exactly what powers the vampires of her universe have, what the witches powers are, what "blood-bonded" means, etc.Although these things are explained briefly within this book, they are explained in better detail in some of her other books.Ultimately you can still read this book without having read any of the others and still enjoy it though.

Now, while I really enjoyed this book, it has some aspects about it that some would consider flaws.In other words, this book is not for everyone.Firstly, it's short.This book is exactly 227 pages long, so those that want a long, 500-page novel will be disappointed.I really like this aspect of her books though, because I enjoy the fact that I can finish a book quickly and move on to other things.For the young adult genre though, shortness isn't unusual.Another flaw that people might pick up on is that Amelia is not exactly a writer of fine literature.Yes, people, the writing is simple, and yes, she likes to use the word "sapphire" a lot (some have likened it to bad fan-fiction), and yes, the writing isn't going to win any awards.Personally, I don't care.It's still entertaining and I'm more than happy with it. I've also found that her novels are the kind you can read again after some time has passed--which is great since I can't normally stand to re-read books.

Overall, I recommend this book if you happen to fall into the age range of teens or young adults.At that age, the "simple" writing shouldn't offend.However, if you're an adult that likes vampires, isn't too picky, likes their novels on the short side, and is a bit open-minded, then I would also recommend this for you, too.Happy reading!

5-0 out of 5 stars I loved this book!
This was the very first book i read from Ameila and let me say it had my attention from the start...when i was a teenager at least! First off if anyone wants a good read for adults..look in the adult section for that! But for teenagers this is a good book! I loved all the characters in the book and i couldnt put it down but once again it was a short read but a good read! ... Read more


13. The Long Walk (Turtleback School & Library Binding Edition)
by Stephen writing as Richard Bachman King
School & Library Binding: 384 Pages (1999-04-01)
list price: US$18.40 -- used & new: US$14.72
(price subject to change: see help)
Asin: 0613173503
Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars
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Editorial Review

Product Description
FOR USE IN SCHOOLS AND LIBRARIES ONLY. In a futuristic America, 100 of the nation's hardiest boys must endure a 500 mile marathon in order to win fame and fortune. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (336)

5-0 out of 5 stars THE LONG WALK
VERY DIFFERENT THAN THE USUAL STEPHEN KING BOOK.I FELT VERY DRAWN IN TO THE WHOLE STORY.STEPHEN KING'S TAKE ON THE WHOLE MIND SET OF THE WALKERS WAS INTENSE.I COULDN'T PUT THE BOOK DOWN AND FINISHED IT IN A COUPLE OF DAYS.WELL WORTH THE READ

5-0 out of 5 stars Definitely Stephen King
The book was a great read. It was almost addictive to want to keep reading to find out what happens during the walk. My feet hurt just reading about it. There was a twist in the middle and the end just happened so suddenly that I wasn't sure it was the end. i was looking for the next chapter.

2-0 out of 5 stars Dont waste your time
I have read 1000s of books and have rarely been disappointed. This story was a major disappointment. I will admit that it was an original idea for the time it was written but to be so invested in the characters and to simply end the story the way it ended was stupid. DO NOT waste your time. Go for a real walk and enjoy life! Hey King, you owe me $6.95 and 2 wasted evenings.

2-0 out of 5 stars Great start; weak finish; poor Kindle formatting
I knew the premise of this story before I read it, and my disappointment does not stem from that fact.The first 3/4 of the book was great.King does his normally fantastic job of developing the characters, giving you incredible insight into who they are.He also dropped many tidbits of information that gets you thinking about side stories (was this an alternate time dimension, etc.)

Unfortunately, the last 1/4 of the book doesn't hold up well.Main characters are killed off almost unceremoniously.I expected DeVries to be the 99th one to buy a ticket, but he was dispatched much earlier.The end of the story came so suddenly, I had to go back and see who #99 was.The story Olson (?) told of the end of the walk he witnessed was far better than the end King gave us.I don't mind being left wanting more, but I was left wanting a real ending.Not King's best work.

A comment about the Kindle edition -- there were extra spaces sprinkled throughout the entire text, which I found annoying and, quite frankly, unacceptable.Seriously, how hard can it be to fix things like that?A simple spell-check of the raw document would have turned up most of those errors.This was my first Kindle ebook and, sadly, I'm disappointed in the quality.

5-0 out of 5 stars Long Walk, Good Read
This is Stephen King at his best. King puts the readers in the worn out shoes of the Walkers. I found myself thinking over and over what I would do if I was on the Long Walk and thinking about how I would react to seeing everyone around me get shot down if they walked too slow or gave up. The Long Walk makes you think about life, and what we are willing to do to keep it. ... Read more


14. The Running Man (Turtleback School & Library Binding Edition)
by Stephen writing as Richard Bachman King
School & Library Binding: 336 Pages (1999-08-01)
list price: US$18.40
Isbn: 0613177312
Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars
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Product Description
FOR USE IN SCHOOLS AND LIBRARIES ONLY. In 2025 America, the best men don't run for president. They run for their lives in the ultimate death game.Amazon.com Review
Stephen King (writing as Richard Bachman) crafted The Running Manearly in his career, though after such mega-hits as Carrie and The Shining.A bit of adeparture from the supernatural horror that is most frequently associatedwith his work, the novel describes a science fiction dystopia where marketcapitalism and television game shows have spiraled out of control, and theseparation between the haves and the have-nots has been formalized withseparate currencies. King establishes characters quickly, creating sympathyin the first few pages for Ben Richards--whose 18-month-old baby girl issuffering from a horrible cough, perhaps pneumonia.Not able to affordmedicine, Richards enters himself in the last-chance money-making scheme ofthe Free-Vee games. The games include Treadmill to Bucks, in whichheart-attack prone contestants struggle to outlast a progressivelydemanding treadmill, or the accurately named Swim the Crocodiles. After a rigorous battery of physical and mental examinations, Richards isassigned "Elevator Six"--the path of a chosen few--that leads to TheRunning Man game.In this game, the stakes and the prizes are raised. Success means a life of luxury.Failure means death.Unfortunately,few ever win the game; in fact, as the producer tells Richards,in six years no one has survived.

The Running Man is a short book, tightly written to be read andenjoyed quickly.The future world it depicts is vividly captured with afew essential details. The action is also fast paced and, though the noveldiffers from much of King's other work, the sardonic social commentaryreveals a pleasing glimmer of King's characteristically twisted sense ofhumor. --Patrick O'Kelley ... Read more

Customer Reviews (104)

5-0 out of 5 stars Fantastic! a real page turner!
i have been reading king novels for years and this is by far one of his best. avoid the intro because it spoils the ending. luckily i skipped it and saved it till i finished the book. this book goes a milea minute. if u like fast paced thrillers then this is the book for you.



4-0 out of 5 stars A metaphor for workaholics
I LOVE YOU STEPHEN!!!!! It dawned on me that we are all running men, being followed by guards who keep us in line - buying the right cars, living in the right homes, spending, spending, working, working. . . When we get to the end will we be afraid to stop and collect our winnings?

1-0 out of 5 stars WARNING
So this would have been the first Stephen King book I read cover to cover. I was REALLY excited with the story line and could not wait to start reading it. The mistake I made and am warning you about is that during the introduction "The Importance of Being Bachman" King gives away the ending!!! Not just a "Oh, and then something negative happens" but "Blah, blah, and then he blah blah" specifically. If you want to enjoy the book (as I am CERTAIN I would have) DO NOT READ THE INTRODUCTION!!!!

Who does that?? Yes, I get it, it has been republished so you want to add a note, but for those who would have picked up the book for the first time (never had seen the movie either so I don't know if it tells the true ending) the book has been ruined!!!. . . I always pictured Stephen King as a smart man. . . WRONG!

So please! Add a HUGE SPOILER warning before you give the ending of a book before the story even starts!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

5-0 out of 5 stars I should have read this years ago
What an idiot I am.I never read this because I've seen the movie.But this is a great thriller action packed short story.

This books just reinforces King is the thriller master.
(on a side note - also showcases the talent screen writers have to be able to to adapt a short story to a film and not copy the book.)

They are not the same story, but have the same premise.

Sit back and enjoy.

4-0 out of 5 stars You won'tfind Arnold in these pages
In the history of good books, people have created good movies using the books title (but have nothing really to do with the book).BLADE RUNNER and DO ANDROIDS DREAM OF ELECTRIC SHEEP is a good example of this.RUNNING MAN is another fine example of this.When I was a teenage, I loved the Arnold movie.Now that I am way past a teenager, I decided to read the source material.I was shocked and thrilled that I stepped into almost an entirely different world.

The Ben Richards of the novel is not a criminal, fabricated or otherwise.The Ben Richards in the novel is a desperate man trying to find a solution to a nightmare many fathers face.Richards is a character in this book faces a far greater challenge than that of the movie.The game arena is the USA.The foes are the good people of the United States of America.In this Dystopia, Richards finds himself struggle to find commrades and figuring out who to trust.

To give too much away would tell major parts of the book.Don't read this book expecting an action adventure film.Read this book expecting a character study of a man who would do anything for those he loves.The writing is not King's best, I thought some of it was a little unbalanced, but the story is captivating. ... Read more


15. Gaunt Rainbow
by Matthew Sawyer
Kindle Edition: Pages (2010-10-13)
list price: US$5.00
Asin: B0047743YQ
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Product Description
Pamela, a young woman nicknamed “Rainbow,” is cursed. She drains life from living beings, unintentionally. The curse began once a boy, who claimed to be the messiah, returned Pamela to life after a warehouse fire. Pamela searches the Shur desert to find the errant messiah. She hopes he'll remove her curse. ... Read more


16. Demon in My View (Den of Shadows)
by Amelia Atwater-Rhodes
Mass Market Paperback: 192 Pages (2001-09-11)
list price: US$6.99 -- used & new: US$2.98
(price subject to change: see help)
Asin: 0440228840
Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars
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Editorial Review

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Though nobody at her high school knows it, Jessica is a published author. Her vampire novel, Tiger, Tiger, has just come out under the pen name Ash Night. Now two new students have just arrived in Ramsa, and both want Jessica’s attention. She has no patience with overly friendly Caryn, but she’s instantly drawn to Alex, a self-assured, mysterious boy who seems surprisingly familiar. If Jessica didn’t know better, she’d think Aubrey, the alluring villain from her novel had just sprung to life. That’s impossible, of course; Aubrey is a figment of her imagination. Or is he?Amazon.com Review
The teen queen of horror fiction Amelia Atwater-Rhodes is on the prowlagain! Continuing in much the same vampire vein that established herreputation, the young writer's sophomore novel also includes a touch ofautobiography. Jessica Allodola is a high school senior who pens vampiretales under the pseudonym Ash Night. (Hmmm, sound familiar?) Because of herfunereal clothing and cynical demeanor, Jessica is shunned by her sunnier classmates. No matter, she prefers the company of the undead she creates on her laptop, anyway. But Jessica is shaken when a creature from her novel, the suavevampire Aubrey (who fans will remember from In the Forests of theNight) shows up as a new student at her school. Not knowing whetherhe plans to seduce or harm her, Jessica plays adangerous game of cat and mouse with Aubrey as she tries to discover thesecret of his existence. As she delves deeper into the midnightworld of her own novels, she encounters other supernatural beings, likeFala, an evil Egyptian vampire, and Caryn Smoke, a teenagedgood witch. When she finally unearths the shocking truth that explains thetangibility of her imaginary world, Jessica must decide if sheloves that dark world enough to leave the light forever.

Atwater-Rhode's writing, while still showing strong traces of Anne Rice andStephen King, is maturing nicely as she cleverly constructs thisstory within a story. Her vampires, while thousands of years old, haveadolescent mood swings and tempers, which will sit well with theunder-16 crowd. Demon in My View will undoubtedly find its way intomany backpacks and Trapper Keepers. (Ages 12 to 15) --JenniferHubert ... Read more

Customer Reviews (280)

5-0 out of 5 stars Not Disappointed...at all.
Demon in my View is the perfect taste of vampire, romance, darkness, and gothic.I've read many many many vampire novels in my time, and most of them seem the same.But, I do come across a few every now and then that strike me as odd, or different.This is one of those kinds of stories.It has vivid descriptions of the people and places to where you could possibly imagine that you've been there, or maybe even met one of the characters.The story line is out of this world with different rules and structures to an unknown society.The main character is buried in a mystery that, for the life of me, I would have never seen coming.I suggest this book to anyone, young and old.It's worth your time AND you won't regret it.

5-0 out of 5 stars Love this book!
Demon in my view is an amazing book in my opinion! If you have read the first book In the forest of the night then you will understand the characters a little better..trust me i read shattered mirror and back tracked lol by the time i got to the first book i was like "OOOO i get it now"! but this book is still good i would recomend it to some people but its better for a early teen than an adult to read..still a short read but i enjoyed it!

5-0 out of 5 stars The second book from one of my favorite authors!
"Demon in My View" is the second book by one of my favorite authors, Amelia Atwater-Rhodes.Although I am arguably too old for teen books, I re-read this one recently and still found it enjoyable.

The story follows Jessica, a writer of vampire novels.What she doesn't realize is that her stories are true, and they may get her into big trouble with the denizens of the night.Despite the fact that Jessica is clearly based on the author herself, I still found the story to be interesting and not to "Mary-Sue-ish".I know alot of other reviewers have complained about this problem, but it really doesn't bother me.I know it isn't realistic for characters to all be beautiful and perfect, but sometimes it's fun to read a story with dark, sexy, cool characters.It's just a bit of self-indulgent fun sometimes.Anyway, despite the fact that the last time I read this book was in Middle School (many many years ago), I still found the story to be entertaining.The dark atmosphere of Amelia's books really draws you in and keeps you glued to the pages.

Another thing I'd like to mention is the references to the previous book, "In the Forests of the Night".I really enjoyed the connection to the previous story, because it helps you feel that the stories are all intertwined within the same world.There's even a short reference to Jessica in "In the Forests of the Night", which is a nice "easter egg"-type surprise for those who have read the book either before or after reading "Demon in My View".

"Demon in My View" is perhaps my favorite of Amelia's books.So, I'd definitely recommend this book to teens and even adults who are fans of vampire novels.

5-0 out of 5 stars Great book...just too short
I recently read this book and its predecessor "In the forests of the Night" and I absolutely loved them. "Demon in my View" was a fast paced thrilling narrative about a girl,Jessica, who is shunned by her peers due to her dark attitude and dress. Along come two new students. One, Caryn, who's annoying and bubbly who Jessica absolutely loathes and Alex, a dashing, just as dark and brooding guy. Jessica is a talented writer andhas published a book Tiger, Tiger under a pen name to avoid the unnecessary attention. What she realizes though with these new students is that know more about her than any other person really. She starts to realize that the characters in her book are strikingly similar to her new real life friends and acquaintances.

The whole book is a non stop race to get to the truth. For a small short book the story evolves well. Atwater-Rhodesfinds such creative ways to advance her story and they sure throw you a curve ball once in a while. The characters are vivid and intriguing with a touch of passion and romance. I especially loved Jessica. Her character is so strong and passionate and it sends a great message to little girls who read these stories.

3-0 out of 5 stars Done before you know it
The concept in this book was interesting.I need to go back and read In The Forests of the Night as I think Jessica makes her initial cameo in that book and I hope you learn more about Aubrey.The story kept me going right to the end but everything seems to happen so abruptly.In the space of 176 pages you meet Jessica, learn she dreams are reality of the vampire community, meets Aubrey, falls in love and then chooses to become a vampire.The book really glosses over her reasons for being so eager to become a vampire that it is a little shocking.Considering the author wrote this at such a young age though it was a good book to read if you enjoyed The Vampire Diaries by LJ Smith and Twilight by Stephenie Meyer. ... Read more


17. In the Forests of the Night (Den of Shadows)
by Amelia Atwater-Rhodes
Mass Market Paperback: 176 Pages (2000-05-09)
list price: US$6.99 -- used & new: US$0.97
(price subject to change: see help)
Asin: 0440228166
Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars
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I was born to the name of Rachel Weatere in the year 1684, more than three hundred years ago.

The one who changed me named me Risika, and Risika I became, though I never asked what it meant.I continue to call myself Risika, even though I was transformed into what I am against my will.


By day, Risika sleeps in a shaded room in Concord, Massachusetts.By night, she hunts the streets of New York City.She is used to being alone.

But now someone is following Risika.Someone has left her a black rose, the same sort of rose that sealed her fate three hundred years ago.

Three hundred years ago Risika had a family -- a brother and a sister who loved her.Three hundred years ago she was human.

Now she is a vampire, a powerful one.And her past has come back to torment her.

This atmospheric, haunting tale marks the stunning debut of a promising young novelist.Amazon.com Review
Three-hundred-year-old Risika looks darn good for her age. Thanks to her"blood mother," a vampire named Ather who turned Risika (nee Rachel) intoone of the undead back in 1684, she will always look as fresh as a17-year-old. Now Risika is a world weary night stalker who sleeps inConcord, Massachusetts, by day and prowls New York City by night, in searchof fresh blood to slake her inhuman thirst. One of the benefits of livingsuch a long life has been discovering that most of the popular myths aboutvampires are not true: "Holy water and crosses do not bother me... andsilver does not burn me. If someone hammered a stake through my heart, Isuppose I would die, but I do not play with humans, stakes or mallets." Infact, there is little in the mortal world that surprises Risika anymore,until she returns from a hunt one night to find a black rose on herpillow--the same flower she was given on the eve of her mortal death.Knowing that the rose is a taunt from Aubrey,a vampire she believes murdered her human brother, Risika decides toconfront her nemesis. In a bloody battle with Aubrey, Risika finallyunearths her brother's true fate.

While the plot of this vampire tale may not stand out from the fangedmasses of the genre, what does stand out is the fact that the author is14 years old. Teen horror fans of Anne Rice and L.J. Smith willsurely want to experience for themselves how In the Forests of theNight stacks up to their favorite adult titles--and will be especiallyinterested in seeing how one of their young peers plies the writing trade.(Ages 12 to 15)--Jennifer Hubert ... Read more

Customer Reviews (260)

5-0 out of 5 stars Simple, but abstract
Wow, didn't expect to see so many low ratings.

I don't know what other readers were expecting really. This is not Ann Rice, nor Twilight for sure. Mostly, this book is about identity. For goodness sake, it ends with: *spoiler*

"I am one of them.
But I am also Rachel.
I am Risika."


*/Spoiler*


Regardless of the author's age, regardless of other novels created by said author, and regardless of OTHER authors; this is a masterful book.

It is simple, but complex. Simple writing, complex emotion. A streamlined tale, with a lot more going on underneath then what you see. The narrator does not tell you a lot. She is not there for your comfort, she is just there.

This story does have multiple layers to it, the author touches on self-identity, is she one of them, is she Rachel - her previous mortal life, is she Risika - the name given by her new life mother? She loses, she loves, she changes. Another layer is that of the control others had over her. Her fear of Aubrey, while not all consuming, prevents her from retaliating. She feared for her immortal soul as a mortal, because of the control the church held over her. As a women, her father and brother had control of her.

These are all issues that are lightly tread upon, but still there. She knows that emotion for her kind is weakening, as it can be used against her. All others of her kind reject love, and it makes them stronger, not prey.

The author treats vampires very simply, she gives them what they obviously are, an animal predator with a human's mind for cruelty. I think she may have mentioned this again, in one of her other vampire novels.

That is the other interesting thing about this author, she changes the vampires worlds, and attributes in different novels.

All in all, I truly enjoy this author's work. This book is not weak in any way, in fact, its tone is stronger then other vampire novels. Other authors get caught up a drama that leaves one feeling confused as to the original purpose. It is like what many chef's say, the simplest meal is the hardest.

4-0 out of 5 stars Pretty good.
This is the first book that I have read from Amelia Atwater-Rhodes, and overall I think she is a great writer.This book is a YA book.However the dialog the character projects is actually more mature.There wasn't any drama, that you get from a YA book.The main character may have been a teenager, but the author presented her as an adult.So it was very interesting to detect all of the differences between this book and the other YA books I have read from this genre.I will say this, however, the vocab in the book is not as advanced as some othe novels, but the author was very young when she wrote it, and you probably would be too wrapped up in the story to care.I was.So overall I give this book a well earned 4 stars.

3-0 out of 5 stars Good read but short!
First of let me say how basis i am because i love amelia at-water rhodes books shes one the the first authors i read when i was a teenager and i still read her books till this day and im an adult now! This book was a little different it switchs between the main characters past and present time, at first it gets confusing but once u get the hang of it u start understanding how it works! I liked the book a lot but didnt love it! But cant really say much she was only 13 when she wrote it! Sadly the book is short but i enjoyed my read! It would be a good start off book to someone in their early teens! i recomend the books because it just keeps getting better.

5-0 out of 5 stars Loved this book
I have always loved this book. I have re-read it several times over the years since I bought it when I was in high school. I've had it for probably about 8 years or so. Reading is kind of hard for me and I love that I can read this book in a day and it keeps my attention.

5-0 out of 5 stars Great book for teens--but does it still hold up for adults?
I first picked this book up when I was in Middle School and loved it.I recently re-read "In The Forests of The Night" just to see how it has held up over time.Now that I'm an adult, does this book still manage to entertain me?Well, yes, it does.I still found the story of the 300-year-old vampire Risika and the events leading up to her fight with an old nemesis to be fascinating.

Amelia Atwater-Rhodes is one of my favorite authors, either due to nostalgia or my love of vampires in general.Unfortunately, now that I'm older I notice that this book has alot of aspects about it that most people would consider flaws that I didn't notice when I was younger.

First of all, the book is really short.I mean, really short.I finished it in two hours.This is bad because you keep wanting a bit more story.In some ways this is good, though, because it's not a huge time commitment to read, so you can finish it quickly and move on to doing something else if you so desire.That's one of the reasons I love her books so much (I've read plenty of long books-Anne Rice, for example-but I always enjoy shorter books more).

There was another thing I noticed; this book isn't exactly fine literature.She tends to be a little lax in her amount of environmental description and the writing itself is a bit simple.Nonetheless, I enjoy her fast-paced writing style, maybe because she doesn't bog the reader down with reams of dross.I personally feel that this book deserves five stars simply because I enjoy re-reading it (this holds true for almost all her books) and any book that I actually want to re-read has earned it's value in my mind.It's not that I didn't like some other books I've read, it's just that I often don't find myself wanting to re-read them (even if they're good), but for some reason I can just keep coming back to Amelia's books and still enjoy them.

So, do I recommend this book for teens?Certainly.There's enough here to entertain a younger reader, and it's about the right length for a young adult genre book.Do I recommend it for adults?Well, that depends.If you like your books to be longer and have more "adult" writing styles, then you probably wouldn't like this book. If you love vampires and quick reads, then you'll likely find this book to be well worth your time. ... Read more


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