Tad Williams has the ability to transport the reader into ...
355627
Tad Williams has the ability to transport the reader into worlds of his creation. His works are a gift to all readers and each installment has me yearning for the next!
3066996
Williams' excerpt, 11:59, is tensely-written and full of promise. Although the reader doesn't actually know much about the main character, Marc, by the end of the excerpt, he still feels real, and the reader wants to know more.

Questions about Marc's past are expertly woven throughout, showing him to be a truly three dimensional character.

If the tension and surprises continue through the novel, this will certainly be a best seller.

I cannot wait to read the rest!
843208
This cast of feline characters is simply wonderful.  Don't think of it as a book just for children, it's overwhelmingly entertaining for adults as well.  Tad Williams, in his special unique way, made his characters-- CATS!  They speak, behave, and accomplish their goals as any cat would, not furry fuzballs with human attributes.  Humans don't belong in this action filled quest to solve a mystery of a missing girl kitty that, our hero, a male cat, is desperate to find. It's a love story as well as a difficult dangerous mission.  Can he find her?  His gut wrenches with fear of what he might find if he succeeds.  Trust me, it's a can't put down book.
3339660
Tad Williams has been a constant fixture in the fantasy & science fiction genre for the past 25 years. His MEMORY, SORROW AND THORN series is often hailed as one of the finest post-Tolkien epics, and he has established a reputation for writing intelligent door-stopping, novels such as the OTHERLAND books (four volumes) or  the SHADOWMARCH series (again, four volumes).

His new novel, THE DIRTY STREETS OF HEAVEN, however, is something of a departure for him, maybe even a career changer. It is the first of three (for now at least) planned volumes in this series called the BOOBY DOLLAR BOOKS, but each volume is self-contained and can be read independently from the others.

Doloriel is a rather ordinary low-level angel working under his earthly alias Bobby Dollar. He is an angelic advocate; on behalf of the recently deceased he argues for their immortal souls to be accepted into heaven rather than going to hell or even purgatory. He meets his fellow angelic advocates regularly in his favourite angel bar, but he is largely minding his own business and doing his job (which is a lot less glamorous than it sounds like), when suddenly immortal souls start disappearing and neither heaven nor hell seem to now why or how. Bobby Dollar's life is suddenly at stake even though he does not really know why. However, he is quite sure that his heavenly superiors are not telling him everything and that if he wants to save his own immortal soul, he just has to find out what is happening by himself.

DIRTY STREETS starts out as a classic noir detective novel with overtones of Raymond Chandler rather than echoes of Tolkienian  epic fantasy. Bobby Dollar is an engaging POV character whose distinctive, witty narrative voice drives the story forward at breakneck pace. He is playing against a colourful ensemble cast of angels, demons and other otherworldly beings. And while the books offers plenty of action and excitement, it is not all empty calories; there is some serious meat on the bones of this novel.  A great, fun read that leaves this reader wanting more as soon as possible!
1096009
This is a fast moving book that tells a story whereas you can feel the characters. Racquel Williams made an excellent choice to become an author. She came from nothing and turned it into something. This is reflected in her writing because this book was determined to win. From one author to another, this is not a first timers pot luck. The flow is like a smooth stream, what we call a page turner. I recommend it and look forward to more of her work.
514737
This fast paced tale kept me glued to my new Kindle screen and although I have had this book in my library for quite a while, I read it just two days, which light-speed for me.
There was strength in character and just enough action to bolster the detective work, and a sense that this old school copper series could run and run. My only criticism would be a slight lack of scene detail and description, but thats just me, I like a little more colour where other readers do not. A touch more depth to Bill Roberts would have also been welcomed, on reflection I couldn't even recall what he looked like.
But over all, a fine read for a fledgling novel and well worth delving into, I fully recommend it.
921326
Margaret Mitchell called Savannah, Georgia "that gently mannered city by the sea" and indeed, with Spanish moss hanging from the huge oak trees and the pale shine of the moon reflecting off the pillars of Savannah's stately mansions, the imagination can conjure up an idyllic setting where the clop of hooves on the cobblestone streets echo in one's mind and sweat from the glass of a tasty mint julep leaves a ring on the tabletop.
"You mustn't be taken in by the moonlight and magnolias.  There's more to Savannah than that.  Things can get very murky," says Jim Williams.
If anyone would know, it's Williams.  He stands at the center of John Berendt's hugely entertaining account of a city, a murder trial, and the social machinations --- high and low --- that mesh on the fringes of the politely hushed and multi-layered Savannah society.
An antiques dealer whose parties became the talk of all Savannah, Williams one day finds himself in a lot of trouble...he's charged with the murder of a young gigolo, Danny Hansford.  A part-time employee and house guest of Williams, Hansford had a reputation for his violent temper and his sexual proclivity to service both men and women.  Williams claims self-defense and a trial ensues.
Through a complicated mix of legal maneuvers, Williams is tried four separate times for Hansford's murder, the only man to have achieved that distinction in the Georgia criminal justice system.
As compelling as the murder story and the resulting trial are to Berendt's tale, it's the magnificent portrayal of the history of Savannah and the cast of quirky characters that people the city that make MIDNIGHT IN THE GARDEN OF GOOD AND EVIL so successful.
Besides Williams, we meet Joe Odom, a former lawyer, tour-guide, and piano player, whose charm and talent are only outweighed by his audacious behavior.
Luther Driggers keeps the city on edge.  An inventor who failed to get rich after discovering the pesticide and process that led to the flea collar, he now walks the streets with a bevy of flies attached to his person by threads, carrying a vial of poison that he threatens to dump in Savannah's water supply.
Lady Chablis, a drag queen and performer who takes a shine to Berendt, provides some of the more hilarious moments in the book.  And then there's Minerva, a voodoo high-priestess whom Williams hires to ease his guilt by calming the ghost of the murdered Danny Hansford and to bring what luck she can to his side during his legal troubles.
Yes, this is a book about a murder, but it's so much more.  We can thank Berendt for taking the scenic route through Savannah in the telling.  The historical facts, the anecdotes about the rich and eccentric citizens of the city, and the compelling story of the forces --- both dark and light --- that come together in MIDNIGHT IN THE GARDEN OF GOOD AND EVIL add up to one wickedly funny, wholly evocative romp of a read.
3773165
I chose a 4 rating as I enjoyed the intensity of the novel and it held my interest from the very first page until the last.  Will definitely read Gary Williams again.
2575336
For anyone who is a habitual reader, this is a book that will snag you in.
Like David Shields, I've always had a love for words and the feeling and thoughts that they can evoke. Curiously, I often can only vaguely recall a plot or a character. However, it is often the theme or point of view that sticks with me. There are times when I think Tennessee Williams must have sat at his typewriter howling when he wrote lines for Stanley Kowalski or Blanche DuBois. Shields takes this much further in the sense that literature has influenced his life in profound and not so profound ways. From Cervantes, Proust, and takeaways from mass media such as Tiger Woods, what Shields takes away from the entire process of reading are insights about himself and his thoughts and opinions.
Initially, in this book Shields muses about a lot of things that don't particularly seem all that connected to me but as I read on a pattern emerged that what Shields read had an impact on how he views his life and his attitudes toward things.
Shields' musings weren't necessarily predictable nor did I agree with him about a lot of things. I know our select reading lists would be different, but I still found this book interesting. It celebrates the power of language and ideas and is an unconventional homage that celebrates literature and its impact on one man's life.
4416081
Tad Williams never fails to thrill and enrich the mind. I loved this book, as I have loved all Tad's books. At first I was skeptical to read, because I am Christian and was afraid of where Tad may take this, but nothing offended me and I love Tad's take on the afterlife. One thing I have always struggled with is the idea of Hell and of whether or not it truly exists, whether the Lord would allow such a thing in regards to us his children. I would love to sit Tad down and hear what his thoughts are on that... then of course get him to sign all of my books. Thank you for the thrilling ride, Tad. I am now reading book two and greatly look forward to all the worlds you will reveal to us in the future.
4526079
Here is a story that has twists and turns and keeps the readers on their toes as to what will happen. The author makes the characters come to life and makes the reader feel for them.
3352085
I enjoyed this book for reasons different than what I initially expected. Mr. Richard William's book is exceptional in the sense that it's an autobiographical look at his life, at times it's overwhelming to deal with characters coming in and out with little dimension. I expected to hear more about his wife, and a more in-depth view of the Williams sisters ascension to the personal relationships. What was unexpected that I did enjoy was his upbringing in the south and how it shaped him in the good and bad. It's a good book to read if you're into civil rights - which I wasn't expecting at all. The first half of the book really pulls you in, into his life and into his sadness. It's difficult to read this book without crying to be honest. The second half starts lagging a little, the pace and the voice seems to change at times. And then there's the bombastic nature of Mr. William's describing his struggles with the local gangs in south central. It's a good book, but less about tennis and more about Mr. Williams. The Williams sisters have a very strong father who wouldn't take no for an answer, ever.
43216
The attention to detail in this novel draws the reader in and keeps her there, while the characterization brings the world to life.
4098808
Clever word play-great characters-Tad Williams knows how to tell a story & take his readers with him. I enjoyed this so much-can't wait for BD III.
1291200
I cant help but to continue to compare Tad Williams excellent trilogy to George R.R. Martins epic (and still in progress) Song of Ice and Fire (dramatized as Game of Thrones), of which I have read all published portions; and to be honest, Martin does not fare well in the comparison.

Both epic tales are long, huge canvasses with multiple threads and fates that move at varying pace across the page and in such a broad telling one can easily find oneself a little lost unless the story is very tightly and relevantly coordinated, one fate to the next.

Williams does an excellent job of this. No scene is too long or wears on you, and each scene is definitely needed to keep the entire canvass moving at its stately pace toward the ever looming resolution (some 800 pages from now).

By this the third book (which is so long it is published in two parts) the fictional universe is well established along with all the characters. Now you are simply living the various lives, all of which you find yourself caring very much for.

Again, I cannot recommend this trilogy enough. While Martin is considered the reigning laureate of fantasy, in my book that honor should rightly belong to Tad Williams.
3435352
I picked this book up on Sunday, and haven't put it down since.  The elements of southern literature that I've come to expect and love; the feeling of inertia, the sometimes oppressive presence of the past, and of course the omnipresent heat and humidity are all there.  What sets this book apart from many attempts at southern lit is that the story is gripping and compelling; the weight of the past is not so heavy that makes it hard to read, on the contrary, I couldn't put this book down until I finished it.

This was a magnificent first novel, and I defiantly hope to see more from Ms. Black.
678089
In the second book Semon finds himself in the troll community in which Binabik left long ago. From there he ends up a sort of prisoner of the Sithi. Along with the king's daughter who is stuck on a boat which is owned by an Earl who is under the direct control of her evil father's councilor. So many points going on at once but Tad Williams keeps going strong.