Wow! Quite an adventure
358584
This book really made me think. I found myself wondering about what is nature, why are we here, and what is needed to really live and have a good life? This guy is quite a character and quite a pleasure to read. I find myself wondering if his travels are real or imagined. I do believe that the underwater town is a real place and has quite an amazing history. I can't imagine the government damning up a river and flooding the town I had lived in all my life--it would be so strange to have all of the places that hold so many memories for me just cease to exist. What a rich history a scuba diver could discover while exploring such a place.

But that is really just a small part of this unique novel. Consumerism takes a bit hit in this novel. One wonders if true happiness is not to be found in material possessions, but lies elsewhere. That is what the author challenges each of us to discover. Could I do as the narrator does and give up all I have in order to find true harmony within myself? After reading this book I believe I am closer to discovering the answer to that question. Write on, Dr. Pomeroy.
4834933
What an adventure! I would love to see this turned into a movie. Adults and kids will both enjoy these books!
4391041
Such a great epic adventure, I couldn't put it down! The world building is so creative and I really cared for the characters and their plights. Will definitely be following the sequels.
2233803
THE READER is a glorious epic fantasy adventure with magic and pirates and assassins and secret societies and warring island nations and gloriously imaginative mythology. I got swept up right away--there's so much going on, so many distinctive characters, so many settings, but it's not confusing. It feels like you've been dumped into this fascinating world and sent off on an adventure, and what a great ride it is.

Sefia is a fantastic main character. She's complex, tough, compassionate, stubborn, and interesting, and the depth of her backstory and life experience is built up so wonderfully. But so many of the other characters are just as amazing, even when they're not in the center. The pirates! The assassins! The librarians! There are so many layers to this world, and so many people to inhabit it. I can't wait to read the sequel not just to find out what happens next, but to have a chance to spend more time in this glorious fantasy setting.

But what I really love most of all is how smartly all the stories-within-stories and myths-within-myths are layered and interconnected. It's no easy feat to make a book about stories--about reading, writing, remembering, vastly important but not exactly action-pact acts--into such a heart-quickening adventures, but Chee pulls it off like it's the easiest thing in the world.
2048119
What an adventure! Great writing. Clever, fun, mystery and a love story. Characters were wonderful to follow hope there are more books in the series!
2997741
A great adventure story - it will hold you by the seat of your pants for the entire ride. Mr. Romyn has created a world you dive into, rich and full of imagination. This author is not "Tolkienesque", he has created his own world, out of several. A very good book. I am very impressed.
339510
Robert has written a really great adventure, with a cast of characters that is impressive. I really enjoyed reading this book and highly recommend it for anyone. Well done Robert.
3005187
What an amazing imagination Jeff Carlson has!! Highly educated with a mind open enough to take a thought and transfer, whirl and twirl it into a fabulous story that takes us from our dull lives to an amazing world filled with excitement and glorious Sunfish! Bravo, job well done! Read this book, it's a crazy new adventure, you'll have a blast!
2277802
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book.  unexpectedly, I couldn't put it down.  A believable adventure which makes you want the story to continue.
2773069
For some reason I did not get into this easily. I started and stopped, returning several times to begin again. It seems a man's book to a girly like me. Then it just clicked and I couldn't stop reading. Characters have hidden shallows and mainly act without much thought. But that's what makes it real. Boys grow into men seeking adventure on the way. There's magic in the world and a wonderful range of people's, places and cultures. I enjoyed it and wanted to know what happened next. I got drawn in.
Arawn`s world is diverse, rich and glorious. I hope to be able to spend more time there in follow on books.
2200405
A different sort of adventure, but certainly one worth taking! Loved this story, and looking forward to the the next two in the series! :D
777728
A very exciting adventure.  Some unexpected turns and very colorful characters;  I enjoyed very much.
3587662
This book was quite an adventure in more ways than one.  I never expected anything that happened in the last third or last quarter of it.  the ending was kind of an anti-climax, but it wasn't a bad thing really.  There are a few typos and wrong punctuation in this book, but nothing extreme.  The characters just keep getting better and better.  I won't bore you with a plot summary as I know other reviewers are fond of doing that.  Usually I can sort of guess a few things that might happen later in a series after each book, not always very well, but in this one I can't really imagine what will happen next or what there is left to happen.  If you liked the previous boos in the series, I say you should give this one a shot because I don't think you'll be disappointed.  Have at it!  I can't wait to read the next one.
3508573
Boy - I'm almost embarrassed to say that I liked this novel after reading some of the reviews! I didn't think it was hoaky and trite - I thought it was quite fun. Admittedly there were a few odd lines (such as "Gosh, Colonel!") but in general this book was a great adventure. I initially thought I wouldn't find much interest in the second half of the book which takes place in the Sahara, but it was fascinating and obviously written by someone who had spent some time in the desert. I highly recommend this book for anyone wishing to escape for a while.
2980223
What a great adventure!!  Zooming through the galaxy, chased by nasty naval types, political intrigue, meeting aliens, spending time visiting then escaping from wonderfully bizzare planets, and all written in a way that even I can understand - ie not too heavy on the science!!  I've already started to read the second book, and will read the others too.  Shear beautiful escapism!!  What used to be called a "ripping yarn".  Thank you Hugh.  So far, I haven't been disappointed in any of your books.
608670
This was not in my usual genre of reading, but it didn't take long for me to be hooked.  About 25% in, I could no longer put the book down.  What an adventure. I've already downloaded the next book in the series before finishing this one so that I can go straight to it.
1923426
this was a very unique adventure for Esther. I was blown away by the magic in this one - especially how it impacted Esther's... personal... life. LOL Yikes! So much fun.