So Much to Say About Murgatroyd!
923373
I will admit that it took me a long time to understand what was going on at first but I heard the name Murgatroyd and I was hooked. This story was good and somewhat simple. Murgatroyd and his innocence really kept me going in this story. Believe it or not, this story was a little deep and put some things into perspective for me. Give it a chance, it is really a good book.
3624238
I was a bit apprehensive about the book, seeing how much I liked the others, but it was just as good.  I loved how the book will be able to go even further, they left it opened, and I will be excited to read/listen to it.  God Job David Lagercrantz! - well done!
1953442
I bought the kindle version and already halfway through the book (should have finished it earlier but life, work and other gaming demands took its toll on my reading throughput). Let me just do a quick mid-review of this book (and the series) - incredibly good!

The setting is unique - floating lands, mist instead of sea, flying carriages, pistols, magic and dragons! It feels fantasy but yet steampunk too. The characters are very flavourful (except Miri - I dislike her entirely) and I grew to like them and identify with them (especially Father Jacob, Knight-protector Ander, captain Stephano, Rigo, countess Cecile and not forgetting Alan, Dubois and Henry!).

No spoilers yet (I'll do another review when I finish the entire story) but the part on the Archbishop (no spoilers) sends goose-bumps of emotions through my system. It's so marvellous!

Finally, a note to authors (except maybe George R Martin) - learn to write like Margaret Weis and Robert Krammes. They managed to keep the series to a trilogy and still have enough to fascinate, impress and tell a story. To stretch anything more than five books is definitely an overkill and possibly an attempt to milk it for all its worth or a failure to keep a story or break it up well.
3186388
Things actually happened here. Major, catastrophic things! And lots of them. I was really shocked with one event and character death.

There was also character development. Huge development between Temeraire and Iskierka. And Granby, who I've always liked quite a bit. Hammond seems not to have changed a bit since book two, in which I utterly despised him. He's still the worthless sycophant he used to be previously, and I'd nearly forgotten. He's willing to sacrifice anyone at all to what he deems to be diplomatically necessary.

I still really enjoy Laurence. His evolution has been slower and more subtle, but he's changed greatly since the first book. Even if his sensibilities are still incredibly delicate, evidenced by his hiring a governess for Emily. He has much more of an independent sense of right and wrong, that he has learned from Temeraire.

Temeraire and Iskierka both have an odd way of thinking and speaking. I can't put my finger on it. I think it's that they both over-simplify all of their opinions, assuming almost everything they believe is perfectly obvious to everyone else. It could be their young age, or just the way dragons tend to think, in a slightly different manner than humans.

I see other developments still building up. I think Kulingile and Demane are going to be a problem, at some point. And I'm expecting some major conflict with Demane and Emily.

I definitely recommend this book. You can almost skip the previous one. This is more in the spirit of her older books.
4919506
I've been a reader of Brian Switek's Laelaps blog for years, and so I've known Written in Stone was coming.  For years, I waited.  At last, 'tis here!  And I have only one thing to say to the author:

Brian, this had better be the start of a long and prolific career, because one's not enough, buddy.

This book constantly surprised me - not because it was good (it's Brian Switek, so obviously it's good!), but because of the number of times it made me say, "I didn't know that!"  It's populated with bajillions of scientists I've read a lot about, people like Charles Darwin and Nicolaus Steno and Richard Owen, some of whom have been so extensively babbled about in the pop sci books that it seemed nothing new and interesting remained to reveal - but Brian almost always managed to find a little something awesome that hasn't made it into the 42,000 other books about them.  And lest you think this is merely a history of paleontology, keep in mind that Brian fleshes out that history with the newest of the new discoveries.  I'm amazed by how much territory he managed to cover without seeming to skimp.  It's not that big a book!

It wasn't just things about people I didn't know, but how and why certain traits evolved.  Brian's filled gaps in my knowledge I didn't even realize I had.  That chapter on horse evolution: definitely worth the wait.  Got me thinking in whole new directions, that did, and that kind of thinking is like solid gold to an SF writer.

He set out to prove that the fossil record, despite some arguments to the contrary, is essential to understanding evolution, and I do believe he succeeded.  It certainly seems like we wouldn't have discovered as much as we did without the evidence those big, extinct critters showed us.  I love the way he lays things out, like a poker player spreading out a particularly fine royal flush.

I love this book not just because it's Brian's and it's wonderful, but because it's unflinching.  Evolution is fact, paleontology's got the evidence, no quarter given.  And when the time comes in the human evolution chapter to talk about Piltdown Man, he dispatches that with such alacrity you don't quite realize he just shot it through the heart.  It's this simple: there was a hoax, some people fell for it, scientists figured it out and exposed the hoax, done.  I love that.  And the whole book is like that: one long demonstration that while science is sometimes messy, it gets the job done in the end.  Scientists aren't perfect, but they don't need to be in order to advance our knowledge.  And again and again, Brian takes down the evolution-as-linear-progress myth.  If you're not left with the idea that evolution's a big brushy, branchy tree rather than one great chain of being leading to inevitable us, then you weren't reading this book.  Either that, or you're ineducable.

There's also quite a few shout-outs to geologists in here, which is much appreciated!

A lot of people need this book: people interested in science; the history of science; paleontology; evolution; people thinking about becoming scientists; anyone who's ever loved dinosaurs, birds, fish, mammoths, mammals, whales, horses or humans; people ignorant of science; those creationist relatives who love to yammer about "gaps in the fossil record"; people who don't know what a fossil record is....  Look, basically, everyone needs this book.

This is just a layman's review, but if you Google "Written in Stone," you'll find a great many reviews by actual scientists and science writers, such as Chris Rowan and Anne Jefferson, Maryn McKenna, Ed Yong, Deborah Blum, and many more.  It's not often you can feel utterly confident in a purchase.  This is one of those times.
3236060
Before "Of Moose and Men," I didn't have a clue who Torry Martin was. But I do know who Doug Peterson is, because hes a heck of a writer. You couldn't pick a better author to tell a story like this, because while Of Moose and Men never hesitates to stumble and fall, and then sprawl and brawl, it shines on all levels that makes Super Mario need more mushroom power! If youve ever experienced Adventures in Odyssey, Torry Martin has something to do with that.

Ive heard of retreats before, but as far as going to Alaska to get an answer or two? I cant say that it crossed my mind just yet. Well, Torry Martin did just that, with his buddy, Rob. The answers that Torry found were outright hair-raising, and hysterical to a reader! Torry is a comedian, so hes supposed to be funny, but I doubt that in the moment he found a lot of this funny. But put it on paper, and a reader like myself is laughing himself silly. Yet, not only did I find myself being laughed silly, but I found myself highly encouraged through the life lessons that Torry Martin has been through in Alaska.

From shooting himself in the face with pepper spray, to hauling off and busting his mail-jeep door, there are many crazy things in here to laugh about. Confronting somebody out-of-state about fish guts in fear of bears is not my idea of a good time. But when you can back it up with parables of Jesus, you realize that this man takes his faith seriously.

Im thrilled that I got the opportunity to read Torry Martins adventures in Alaska. Not a lot of people would have the guts to open themselves up the way he did. With the help of Doug Peterson, this is a light in the darkness for people who might have just about had enough in life! Give Torry a try, and realize that this moose is loose!
2362264
I'm not kidding, I keep returning to the late Sir Terry Pratchett and have rarely been disappointed!
And I admit to having kind of a crush on now-Duke Samuel Vimes of Ankh-Morpok. He is just disrespectful enough to keep himself and others honest, and he is honest enough to know that he recognizes criminals because he has some of their own tendencies resonating in his own slightly tarnished soul.
The great question of who started it, the Dwarves or the Trolls is finally settled here, and, as is so often the case, the truth shall make ye fret, to steal from another Pratchett book that I also loved, "The Truth," and fret not, Pratchett-lovers, it is all brought to a conclusion as only Sir Terry can. I'm going to miss his writing terribly, and this book is one of the many reasons why. Detritus gets a surrogate son, Vimes' own son is introduced in a very touching way that shows that Vimes' heart is battered yet healing because of the work and more importantly, because of his good wife, and Vimes gets an ally -- actually, several allies -- that one can only hope will be seen again.
The original name of the game of chess' final move, "checkmate," was "shaykh ma'at" or, in English, "the governor is dead," He isn't yet, but it is a very near thing, and Pratchett brings it to a wonderful close.
3630205
By Cathy MacRae
(The Ghosts of Culloden Moor #21)

I was known as Hugh MacLeod for a time. Can you believe I was only 16 when I joined that glorious cause that not only ended Prince Charles' bid for the Scottish throne on the bloddy battle field of Culloden, but my life and secrets as well? I was too young to enlist so I followed my brothers on what I thought would be a grand adventure into the Glengarry Regiment, hiding from them until I faced the English, but by then it was too late to turn back. The horrors I saw are something that no one should have ever had to see. What I really want my boon to be is a chance to deflate the Duke of Cumberland's arrogance for what he did to my family after the war however I will settle for a few minutes with the Prince.

Once again I am amazed at the tale that Cathy MacRae has spun for The Ghosts of Culloden Moor. Her writting is so wonderful and flows so well that I am actually able to envision everything that I read. I loved the secrets in this particular book and didn't see them coming at all. Another 5 star read from Ms. MacRae.

If you haven't read The Gathering yet you should read that before this book as it explains everything you need to know about the Ghosts of Culloden Moor and how they came to be.
4565673
Just thought I'd put in my accolades for this great group of guys.  The depth and layers found in their music transcends what is commonly heard today. Although, they certainly don't define mainstream music, I found that  many family and friends can appreciate the obvious talent that Gruvis  displays. I can only assume it won't be too long until a major label can  recognize this, and these guys will not have to play at venues like the  Skybar in Somerville much longer, although I must say, its great to be able  to listen to their music without having to deal with an elbow in my eye.  Until the mullet returns to style, Gruvis Malt will surely be in my CD  player and on my RealJukebox. Come out with another album, already, would  ya? SSLIB
3033309
I'm affraid this might sound a little repetitive with the preivous reviews, but what can I say ?
Mark Rashid as an empathy for the horse that seems unmatched by anyone else. He falls in the same category with Buck Brannaman, Ray Hunt (and Tom Dorrance I assume, though I haven't got to the work of this other great horseman yet).
Rashid is also a fatalist, in a good, quiet kind of way. He never seems to have an agenda with horses, all will fall into place when the time is right. Sure might sound a little frustrating for goal driven riders, but as a horse owner without any deadline (I don't compete in anything !) I was at ease with that concept. Taking the time is very important, and more often then not trying to save time actually ends up losing lots of it by having to redo things later, which is always harder than doing them right in the first place !
Rashid is great at reading horses, I'd say that's probably the best strength of this book, help you learn, through the description of any particular problem, how he interpreted, and therefore acted upon it. It can also be discouraging sometimes because it actually goes to show there is not ONE method for all, every horse is different, and Rashid will never train a scared horse like a spoiled one, though in the end both will cooperate and comply of their own will.
The narrative is very good, it's humorous, touching, humble. Very enjoyable. I also read Considering the horse, and I do like Horses Never Lie a tad better (though both books are similar in form) as it comes later in Rashid's horsemanship journey, hence holds even more refined philosophy about it all.
The number one lesson of fairness, reliability and consistency is precious. I've experienced its value with my own horse. Something that'd be a bit tricky, and a potential issue, just disappeared after a few days of positive reinforcement and acting calm and consistent. Another example : while riding in the round pen my mare was a little upset by a poop scoop set against one of the posts, and she'd leave the rail by about a yard while passing the scoop. Instead of making an issue of it, I just totally ignored her avoidance, and by the third lap she too was ignoring the scoop and riding by as if she had never noticed it !
I never thought as humans like refuges to horses, yet they can become just that. If you horse trusts you it will become less spooky, more complient and much nicer overall. But trust is only gained through fairness and consistency, even within discipline.
Rashid also insists on the right of the horse to be an individual with preferences, not a slave or a machine, and that is very refreshing as well.
Like others have said this is NOT a hands-on manual or step-by-step guide (I needed that, got Cinton Anderson's method and am very pleased with it) but a general horsemanship philosophy type of book; However, it is absolutely thought provoking and will definitely help you on a very practical basis with your horse(s) as it is packed with simple yet brilliant concepts. I many not buy all is litterature in the future, but Mark Rashid is certainly a great horseman and an excellent and helpful author.
4407754
I have had the pleasure of working with and getting to know "Muffin the Cat". Impeccable work, beautiful inside and out, and talented beyond belief! I'm so EXCITED to read the book and KNOW that it is going to be just as awesome as "Muffin"! I just ordered my copies today (one for me and one to give away)! I will be back to let you know more ... Congratulations "Muffin" - YOU DID IT!!
3294411
Such a compelling series! I love the interactions between all the wards and they way they are in reluctant awe of their guardian, the Duke of Montford (I hope he gets a book!)

Rosamund may be dutiful, but she also has her own mind and is not afraid to use it! Griffin is a big sensitive bear, easily hurt and very protective. I liked that Rosamund wouldn't let Griffin get away with being a bit of a pouter and I liked that Griffin makes no bones over his desire and appreciation of Rosamund as a person (even while keeping up walls between them - that part I didn't like). Both characters face some difficulties which they overcome, the biggest one being that Griffin was too easily swayed by feeling judged as "less than" by others and then running away because of it.

All in all, it was a great read with a happy ending - so I am content.
2634225
Time travel, period drama, magnificent Highlands, sword fighting, political drama, muskets, paganism, dueling, fist fights, nudity and a great story. What's not to like? Besides the fact that Murtagh could have saved them from 99% of their problem if he simply killed someone in the first 44 min of the first episode. No chance he would have let him live but he so frustratingly did so we could have some great tv.
840199
I've read Alan Parks' first book-Seriously Mum, What's An Alpaca, quite a while back. That was amazing. I bought this book straight after but held off reading it for a bit as I was a bit concerned that it may be difficult to equal the excellence of his first memoir. I needn't have worried at all! Absolutely amazing and wonderful! Really varied as well, this is not just a repeat of the Alpaca scenarios. The book has a great intro and gets off to a fine start. So much information and so well-written. Only Alan Parks could make an episode involving a dog being sick so gripping! There's allsorts to entertain you; vet bills and wonder pills, Zumba classes and wars, drama and panic about Santa-who ate all the......figs?, about Dolores being a pain, balls-ups with cushions, little chickens and feeling a bit fruity-comical mistakes with the lingo! Even by page 35 it was fantastic. The chapter with the awkward guests! Laugh-out-loud moments with these 'Guests from Hell'-I'm sure Alan wasn't laughing at the time though. It really does continue the high standard set in the first book, lots of variety of content; ups and downs, humour, animal stories, language gaffes, barbecue parties etc and car problems again. It was interesting to me that when they sent for a second hand car part they eventually got one from none other than-Yorkshire!-where I live-what a small world! We have a famous motor spares place around here-I'm intrigued as to whether Alan got the part from Cooper Bridge Spares or Doncaster Motor spares-you just never know what's going to turn up in a book! Again, brilliant themed names for his four kittens and he's even included a recipe for his Giant Burgers. Another superb book, I want to read more-so get writing Alan! Moving, memorable and marvellous.
1580044
I purchased this long-anticipated book about three weeks ago, but at great sacrifice, I saved it to read on a cruise vacation. While everyone else stayed up till 2 am partying, I stayed up reading the latest installment on  Father Tim.  I just loved it!  Although I missed the Mitford characters,  they were just as funny in their cameo appearances and I really enjoyed  getting acquainted with a new bunch. I was actually stopped on the cruise  ship by an ecstatic Karon fan who was unaware there was a new book  available. We talked for a good 10 minutes!  My husband, who has not read  the Mitford series, couldn't get over it. "What's so great about those  books, anyway?" I challenged him to read them and find out. On the  flight home, I read a review in a magazine (PEOPLE, maybe?) that stated Jan  Karon should stick to Mitford, but I disagree.  I thought the book was just  as warm and touching as all the previous 5.  I especially like Cynthia!  A  must-read.
93075
With the passing of Warren Murphy last year, I was concerned about the future of the series. After reading Bully Pulpit, I now know I shouldn't have worried. RJ Carter has given us an exquisite tale of Sinanju's finest reminiscent of the early Destroyer series. It flows with the same ease and grace as the classic tales, and quite frankly, as I read it, I had trouble differentiating between Carter's words and those Murphy and Sapir might have penned. Mr. Carter just did an amazing job mirroring the style of those early tales. Furthermore, the book's length, which is relatively short by today's standards, was PERFECT for that nostalgic feel of the men's adventure novel's of yesteryear. A length I wish would make a hearty return, I might add, because it would afford us more time to read more stories of our favorite action heroes.

As for the story itself, I could not have been more satisfied. The stakes have rarely ever been higher. Familiar faces add a twinge of nostalgia and dread to the experience...as well as vast amounts of excitement as my suspicions were confirmed at the book's dramatic climax. Homage was paid to one of my all time favorite Destroyer books. Remo and Chuin's chemistry is fantastic as well and once again brings that sense of 'haha! They're so funny' and near teary-eyed (don't tell Chuin I said this!!!)  'Awwww, they really do care for one another' sense of emotions.

Let me put it this way...someone once commented on one of my reviews, noting that I only leave 5-star reviews. That should in no way diminish the rating, as I only take the time to review books I feel compelled to give 5-stars to. So the fact that I'm leaving this review here should tell you just how much I enjoyed it...and frankly, can't wait for #152.
1042587
It's bittersweet to post this review because it means I'm finished reading all 5 published installments of George R. R. Martin's epic series. I'm really excited to have time to read other things and do other things, but I'm also going to miss reading about these characters daily so much! I've also made so many new blogging friends through this series because clearly it has affected a LOT of people (readers and television watchers alike!).

Fortunately at least two more books have still yet to be published in this series, because unfortunately I didn't feel like this book ended the month with a bang as I was hoping it would. Don't get me wrong, I loved it, and I know that this book was a favorite for many of you; however, it fell a little flat for me, similarly to A Feast for Crows (aka AFFC). While I feel like the details are what make this series so incredible in many ways, there may have been too much detail in AFFC and A Dance with Dragons, to the point where the story didn't move forward as quickly as I expected (and needed!). I wish Martin would have compacted both of these books and made them work as one unit as originally intended. I have absolutely no idea how he would have done this (*cough*cut out the Greyjoys*cough* lol), but many of the newer characters still did not resonate with me as a reader.

Now, don't get too angry with me, but I was especially disappointed with Dany's storyline; I felt like she did nothing but spin her wheels in this book!! I'm sure if I look deeper there's some great, powerful explication on her need for stability, to stop moving, her fears and doubts. But as a reader, I wanted action! I wanted Dany to keep moving forward and keep stringing bells in her hair! I need to keep reminding myself how young she is and how vulnerable she is, but I also have confidence in her as a reader and want to cheer her on. I really wish I could go into better depth on Dany, but I don't want to spoil anything at all for those of you who haven't yet read this book.

As I mentioned in my review for AFFC, even the worst George R. R. Martin book is still probably the best of 100 books chosen at random. While I didn't connect with this story as deep as books 1-3 in the series, I still enjoyed the experience of reading tremendously and loved the characters. It was exciting to follow Tyrion's story and some of the new characters were especially promising to meet (like, REALLY exciting to meet. I can't stress that but I can't say more). After reading this book, I am also excited to read theories about the future of the series without being spoiled. The beauty of Martin's writing is that you can never anticipate what is going to happen next. This epic tale is truly an adventure to read and discover, and I hope that I won't have to wait long for the sixth installment, The Winds of Winter! I really don't know how fans who started reading this series in 1996 have survived all of the time between publications!

Bottom Line: Not as great as books 1 through 3, but I enjoyed this one a little bit more than A Feast for Crows. A must read for anyone who has already started the series!  4/5 stars