Classic Harry Turtledove
582017
Continuing his timeline. Can't wait for the next installment. He did leave it hanging, so there will be more to come.
3026492
While Harry Turtledove is far better known for his fantasy novels (eg. The Videssos novels) and his alternate histories (see the WorldWar books), included in his canon is this what-if with a subtler premise--what if Mars had, when it was formed, coalesced into a larger planet--called Minerva in this history, and supported life, including intelligent life.  Add in rival Soviet and American missions to the large fourth planet, not to mention the interesting biology of the aliens themselves, and you have A World of Difference.  Even though the Soviet-American "cold-war" relations may seem dated in this era of Yeltsin, the premise still holds up rather well. Even better are the aliens themselves...technologically inferior to their visitors, their attempts to manipulate their new friends into sharing their power and technology (most especially weapons) are all too reminiscent of the history of third world peoples on our own planet who tried the same to their European visitors.
3812524
I've read almost every alternate history novel Harry Turtledove has written. As a history buff I love these stories, and since I'm trying to write alternate history myself, I think Turtledove is one of the best. Opening Atlantis was an interesting take on what-if the Eastern US was an island and the English/French fishermen found it at least 100 years before Columbus sailed. He describes weird looking animals, are honkers really flamingos or are they something entirely different? What kind of "eagle" would be that big? The novel takes us through the English Civil War to the Pirates of the Caribbean(or of the Hesperian Gulf in this case) to the 7 Years War between the French and English.  I look forward to the next book in the series.

Cliff Ball
author of Out of Time, a time travel/alternate history novella
33119
This is one of those stories that is almost a true old Henry type. As the strings you followed through out all the books are drawn to a conclusion you are left wondering if the story has ended or is it just a pause before it starts up again. If you are a reader that likes to read alternative history that stays true to the general historical time line then this is a series for you. Each of the previous books ended with the cliff hanger suspense of the movie serial film. This final book ends leaving the issues with the Japanese War unresolved even with hostility in Europe ending - I was left wondering will all the fighting just end or is there more to come. Great book in a series of great books written by Turtledove.
4936969
Reading a Harry Bosch novel is like spending time with an old friend.  Kind of like putting your feet in your favorite slippers at the end of a long day.  It just feels right...  I love Harry, he wears well with time!
4037933
Harry has not lost a step over the past years and is as interesting and curious as he ever was. A great read with a nifty plot. If you are a first time reader, I envy you that you have a whole library of these books to look forward to.  Worth waiting for and anticipating another one of these gems in the future.
145675
Harry Turtledove is a master of alternative history and has many excellent novels to his credit.

Using the alternative reality device rather than time travel, Turtledove gives us a glimpse of what might have been 20th century Europe had Rome never fallen.  He doesn't give the Empire much of a chance of progressing very far beyond its state at its peak.

Through the eyes of two teenagers, we experience the problems of sanitation, slavery and war.  They are trapped in this world without their parents and must survive on their own.  We see them deal with the contemporary problems of snobbery, sexism and bloated government bureaucracy.

This book is simply written.  Teens might enjoy it.

This is definitely NOT Turtledove's best effort.
1129982
Jo Nesbo is one of the best writers of the day.  His story telling is among the very best mystery-thrillers.  Riveting and thought  provoking and vividly displayed keeping one absorbed in the action and the drama, second-guessing all the way through and reluctant to finish.  Can't wait to have Harry back - flaws and all, he is the such an intriguing character.
3613865
A good read, as always. Unlike Harry Turtledove, Conroy doesn't need  8 or 9 books spread out over 5 or 6 years to tell a story. He gets to theheart of it, and provides a good adventure. I wouldn't mind if he ever did want to spread  a story out over a couple of books..
Please don't get me wrong - I like Turtledoves' works, and will continue to read them. But they do have a lot of padding, with minor (fictional) 'historical' characters who are sometimes hard to keep straight, and sometimes prove to be uninteresting.
1749164
Carole Sojka uses a conventional-Agatha Christie plot technique placing nine people on a beach to observe sea turtles coming ashore to lay eggs. The turtles make it back to the ocean, but one of the nine turns up dead. The point of view comes from Andi Baraglia who conducts her first murder investigation for the Burgess Beach Police Department in Florida. This novel is a true whodunit theme, well written and entertaining. For those looking for an enjoyable read, they will not be disappointed. And I have it on good word, we will be seeing more of Andi Baraglia.  --Le Coeur de l'Artiste
3590058
I thoroughly enjoyed this classic novel and would recommend to all. I look forward to reading and enjoying his other works.
4129136
Always good reads - Nesbo doesnt disappoint with this book and Harry always gets his man. Twists and turns and then an other bad guy gets his just reward.
907634
You read Connelly for the characters, including his two favorites: Harry Bosch and the city of Los Angeles, and for the prose, which is clean and utterly realistic. He is a master of the genre. Solid plot and a well-balanced blend of nostalgia and grit, narrative and suspense. Read it; he doesn't disappoint.
1243690
I've read a number of HarryBosch novels and The Drop didn't disappoint.
New twists along with old enmities.  Harry's character doesn't change.
4199526
Several years ago I had previously read through all the Dresden Files novels.  Recently I read straight through the novels again and found that I had missed this one.  There is just enough review of Harry's background that it doesn't get tiring.  The reader knows that Harry is the good guy although he is always, always, questioning himself and his motives.  What I found most interesting about Harry, is that Jim Butcher most often has Harry on the edge between stepping over to the 'dark side' and being the only or last one who can help those who have no where else to turn.
2141226
Good to have Harry Back. This is a typically well-crafted Michael Connelly book. The characters are vivid and the plot is intriguing. Highly recommended.
2541074
The Screwtape Letters is Lewis's classic collection of diabolical correspondence. In it, a senior devil gives continued advice to his protg on how best to tempt his victim and keep him from salvation.

Lewis does not propose any concrete doctrine on devils here, and this is not his point. Rather he focuses on highlighting the ways, both large and small, that Christians are distracted from God. Lewis explores the dangers of not being purposeful toward God and life, as well as what happens to people when they give in to temptation.

The book is presented as a collection of letters, all from Screwtape to Wormwood. But Lewis does a good job of making the conversation not feel one-sided, and he does a fantastic job with the devils' personalities. In fact the book is rather deeper than this, as there are two other plots going on. First is the fate of Wormwood's man. Second is the relationship between the devils, and the fate of Wormwood.

The Screwtape Letters is deeper than it appears, and is thoroughly thought-provoking. Most every reader will find elements in it to which he or she can relate. Christians of all maturity levels can benefit from this book.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED