"The Continuing Story of "Dynasty"
927772
Fans have been waiting nearly a year to hear of the news that "Dynasty-The Complete Seventh Season" will be made available on July 9th, 2013. Paramount seems to be following a pattern, thankfully, of releasing the series anually, and with the fact that seasons 8 and 9 are already available in the U.K. and other countries it will only be a matter of time before the complete library of "Dynasty" episodes will FINALLY be put onto DVD for posterity.

 Season 7 deals with the news that Claudia (played by original cast member Pamela Bellwood) has died in a fire that Blake may have had a hand in, the repercussions of Alexis taking control of the Carrington mansion and Denver/Carrington, the campy and elegant British actress Kate O'Mara joining the cast as Alexis' long-lost sister Caress who has spent years in prison due to Alexis which ignites a feud between the two sisters, the arrival of the Fallmonts and their involvment with the Carringtons, the love story between Adam and his former sweetheart Dana (played by Emmy-winng actress Leanne Hunley for her role on "Days of Our Lives") and a super ending with Alexis life in danger and the Carrington's being held captive at the mansion by a former character who everyone thought had died.

 Season 7 is great fun with some intelligent plot twists, lots of sexy men for people to enjoy looking at, the women are dressed divinely and "Dynasty" proves that although the series wasn't nearly as popular as it once was (the series finished at #24 with a 17.2 Nielsen Rating for the 1986-1987 TV Season) loyal viewers stuck with it.

 The only argument I have about this particular year was the lackluster writing the powers that be had for Diahanne Carrol and her character Dominique. They quietly wrote her off the series and completely forgot about her in subsequent seasons. There was also the terrible recasting of Amanda by Karen Cellini who couldn't act her way through a school play let alone a TV soap opera. Catherine Oxenberg, the original Amanda and a beautiful and superb actress, had asked Aaron Spelling for a $1000 a week pay rise and he fired her!

 This season set contains all season 7 episodes (28) and are also available in 2 separate sets.

 Welcome back "Dynasty"...the greatest primetime soap of them all!
4384408
The story of how the family fortune was built is more interesting than the daughter's story.  A very interesting saga that is still not resolved.  A good read
4336588
Getting down near the end of this epic, now -- at least, the end of the nine volumes so far published. Recently returned from two years in deep space, Bren Cameron, the paidhi-aiji (and now Lord of the Heavens, whether he likes it or not), has found the atevi world in an uproar, a usurper having attempted to oust Tabini, the aiji of most of the world. His boss has gone into hiding to raise a counter-revolution. At the end of the previous book, Bren and the aiji's dowager grandmother (an intimidating old lady with razor-sharp political skills and a devoted following), as well as the aiji's very young heir, have survived an attempt to eliminate them by dissident members of the Assassins Guild and have finally met up with Tabini. This eighth volume is taken up with the journey, partly by commandeered bus, partly by rail, to the capital at Shejidan, where the aiji intends to take back his position. They gather forces as well as momentum -- the ultimate road trip, in a way -- and by the time they hit the palace gates (or, rather, underground train station), the usurper has fled the city. There's quite a bit of action this time out, but also considerable in-depth discussion of the concept of man'chi, which isn't "loyalty," exactly, but a hardwired atevi sense of belonging to the herd, being subject to its instinctive hierarchy. As long as he's been immersed in atevi society, Bren still doesn't quite understand his hosts' psychology, not instinctively. An absorbing and illuminating episode in the ongoing saga. (A small complaint, however: Michael Whelen has provided the cover paintings for the first seven books, and he's generally done a good job. But this time, for some reason, the painting is by Donato Giancola, and it's really pretty poor.)
814597
This book series really only has one problem.. The author should have continued the story and followed the "New" Queen... Lots of the story left to still tell..  ;  )
185574
The saga continues, this time from Christian's perspective.  The only criticism is that it basically is the same story already told, with some new twists, and information from his viewpoint.
2148364
The good writing continues as well as the story following the new generation of characters as their lives in the legions change with the times.
3134660
Have the entire Dynasty Series. You have the best price.
1699788
The story continues.  At this point, having reviewed the first 3 books, I can only say everything is continuing and leading to some sort of a conclusion.  On to book 5.
2621777
Despite my otherwise favorable impression of this book, I have a few criticisms:
First, it makes the rather obvious point that power and wealth are passed along in a way that resembles a dynasty.  This hardly requires stating. The sons and daughters of the rich go to the best schools; the rich are networked in such a way as to ensure family and friends get special privleges and jobs.  As a result of all this, insiders know how to work the system.  Bush happened to have the best network and team of machiavellians during the Florida elections, so he won.
Second:  I am very happy to have books that do in-depth evisceration of our current President, George W. Bush.  While books by Al Franken, Molly Irvins, etc, have their place, their works read like a series of journalistic clippings.  "American Dynasty" attempts to go in-depth but ends up spreading itself too thin, going back decades to trace the familial political/economic legacy of George W Bush.  The author should have devoted one chapter exclusively to this, and then let it go.
The book starts to hit stride, in my opinion, around Chapter 5 (the Enron-Halliburton Administration).  This chapter, as well as the Chapters on Armaments, and the Religious right serve as useful introductions to these topics and his bibliography points the reader to books and websites for further research.
Good book, but the reader should not get bogged down in "Dynasty" argument of the first part of the book; instead concentrate on the last two parts.
728905
Wynn and Elizabeth Delaney's story continues in lives of their children.  This story centers on Henry and his struggle to do hi duty as well as to do the honorable and right thing with a young widow Amber and her son.  The story compels you to become emotionally involved with all the characters, to make them a part of your own family.  Oke is a  master story teller who shares real life actions and happenings with the reader.  I devour the book, absorb them into my heart, and long to know more and  more about the family and all the people involved.  I simply cannot get enough of this family and their story.
2246508
This series continues to plow ahead with battlefield action, personal character development, and creative magic, woven into an epic story.
3507961
Is this release worth purchasing? Yes. As commented on in many reviews, the main flaw, and part of the reason this isn't a five-star product, is Paramount's decision to begin breaking the DVD release of shows like "Dynasty" down into separate volumes and then proceeding to charge the price of what one entire season used to sell for. For a fan of the show, it's disappointing to have to wait months, and then having to shell out more money, for one entire season of the show.  Another flaw with this release is that even at the hefty price (especially since it seems to have been a limited-time release and hard to find) there are no extra features! All you're getting with this release is indeed 12 episodes. Now, don't worry, there is some good.

"Dynasty" season 3 is just as good as the previous seasons plot-wise. This is quality t.v. and the era of "Dynasty" before the outlandish, stereotypical 'soap' plots. If you're looking for a good drama with actors who can actually act and make you forget you're watching a prime-time soap, this show and release is for you. Season 3 continues the plots began in Season 2 with Alexis (Joan Collins) stirring up trouble for Blake (John Forsythe) by entering into the oil business ring. After dealing with Krystle's past in earlier seasons (Linda Evans) always dogging her current marriage, yet another past lover shows up - her ex-husband who brings news that rattles Krystle and Blake's now solid relationship. Steven's gone missing, another Carrington son has now shown up at Blake's doorstep, Fallon and Jeff are still on the outs and the set ends with the return of Sammy Jo and yet another new addition to the Carrington clan. With all this drama, it was nice to see the character being challenged and pushed emotionally and nothing really felt sensational or 'unbelievable' as in the later season. Each episode ends with some sort of cliffhanger to keep you coming back for more, including the final episode of the 3-disc set.

Quality wise, the transfer to DVD, as seen in the previous release, was great. The colors are vibrant, the sound is wonderful. The only thing that really holds this set back is the fact that it's incomplete and you have to dish out another twenty- or thirty-some dollars to complete it. That and the fact that there are absolutely no extra features, even with there having been a "Dynasty" cast reunion with interviews shot a few years ago that aired on ABC, Paramount still makes no effort to beef up the release, leaving the audience with just episodes, half a season, to feast on. Besides that, this was truly great television and it is nice to see it getting the DVD treatment, even if it is slow and now prolonged with split season releases. Definitely worth buying, even with it being a truncated release.
4198975
Continues the story by focusing on one set of characters and offering more depth to their story and their relationships with each other.
1182660
Harrison continues the tale of a war between Stone Age humans and the Yilan&egrave;, intelligent descendants of dinosaurs which, in this world, were not wiped out by a cometary impact.

This second book in the series is centered on what, for us, would be the Atlantic Ocean and the theme of discovery. The villain of the series, the Yilan&egrave; Vaint&egrave;, is now discredited after the destruction of the race's first transoceanic colony. She was leader of the city, and the blowback of her genocidal war on human and one in particular, her former captive and hero of the story, Kerrick, led to that result. She convinces the leadership of another city to help her renew her attacks against the humans in the western hemisphere of Earth - necessary because an encroaching ice age is driving the Yilan&egrave; out of their Eurasian and African homes.  (Harrison gives Kerrick a prologue in the book which adequately summaries the events of the first book, but I'd recommend reading&nbsp;<a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/West-of-Eden/dp/0553265512/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">West of Eden</a>&nbsp;anyway.)

For his part, Kerrick hopes to put the ruins of the Yilan&egrave; city to some use. He also becomes quite attached and concerned with two Yilan&egrave; males. Like him, they were prisoners of Vaint&egrave;, and,  like all males of that race, confined to a harem existence. Their discoveries and their hard-won self-confidence and knowledge, their exultation in the freedom of the world beyond the harem walls, is a major charm of this novel.

Harrison introduces an Eskimo-like race of human (though they have vestigial tails) nomads called the Paramutan which figure in the adventures of Kerrick and the wife and son he is separated from. It is their knowledge and exploration of the northern part of the ocean that will become important in the plot and another confrontation between Kerrick and Vaint&egrave;. Also crossing the sea, in the other direction, are the exiled Daugthers of Death, a pacifistic sect that holds all life sacred and that are regarded as dangerous subversives in all Yilan&egrave; cities. Aided by a legendary, crank, caustic scientist who also has been banished, they discover this world's version of South America. Harrison, with this, gives us an engaging plot where the otherworldly concern with religious contemplation clashes with the practical commands and wishes of that scientist.

Harrison also, in the Yilan&egrave;-human war, shows the innovation each side undertakes. The Yilan&egrave; develop new weapons and defenses using their supremely sophisticated genetic engineering. Humans rely on their specie's knack for deception and trickery.

All in all, a worthy effort that, even though it's a middle book in a trilogy, manages to almost feel complete on its own.  As with the first novel, at least in hardcover, Bill Sanderson provides many line drawings that vividly illustrate Harrison's world and, especially, creatures. Also, as with the first book, there is an appendix on the languages and background of this world. With the introduction of the Paramutan, it differs somewhat from the appendix in West of Eden.
2199941
Fills in more of the background story - still waiting for the next full book in the series.
192624
It has been a long time since I read the second of this series that I had forgotten some of the characters in the book. What caused some of my confusion on who was who, was the nicknames that the characters used to discuss that individual. But once I got reacquainted, the story flowed.

This was not a page turner. I did not react to its story line like I did the previous two installments. Consequently I was a little bit more critical of the story and the trajectory towards the story's end. Without spoiling the story, I figured out four basic themes:

1.  Colton and Sebastian's relationship
2.  Colton's developing Stud Farm and Racing Stable business
3.  The disappearance of a loyal family group of the King and his family-->the Jenkins and possible IN interference.
4.  Sebastian's history and undivulged family lineage.

All of these themes interwine and provides the drama for the characters to act. The resolution of all of these themes left enough of a carrot for me to conclude that Jenkins' story will probably be in the next installment. Perhaps the author will also resolve how Sebastian's family will impact the main characters?

Its a three star rating because the book reads like it is a prelude to what comes next.
2829331
Another good story by Campbell. This continues the story of the Independent Midway Star System following the overthrow of the Syndicate government by CEOs Iceni and Drakon. The questions asked in Tarnished Shield are as valid now as ever. But the story is concentrating on the development of two relationships: Morgan and Malin (with a twist) and Iceni and Drakon. And, of course, how do you turn a totalitarian dictatorship based on power and fear into something free and honest without degenerating into chaos?
I know the third book in the series, Imperfect Sword, has already been published but I have avoided reviews and snippets until I get a paperback copy, but I . . . can you say constitutional monarchy?