The Bridge: A Novel [Deckle Edge] [Hardcover] special discount

The Bridge: A Novel [Deckle Edge] [Hardcover]

The Bridge: A Novel [Deckle Edge] [Hardcover] Reviews

I have never given a Karen Kingsbury book less than 5 stars! I love her books and her writing, but I can't find words to describe what I feel is lacking with THE BRIDGE. I read the short story prequel THE BEGINNING and was immediately sucked into the story because I felt a great connection with Charlie and Donna and their love of books. I couldn't find that same connection with Molly and Ryan in THE BRIDGE. THE BRIDGE seemed really short. Only 77% of the Kindle edition was the actual book. My favorite part of THE BRIDGE was the group of people coming together to try and help the bookstore. I could identify with that. There are good people out there who will help! Good people helped my family when my son underwent brain surgery with prayers, money or just a shoulder to cry on. In a nutshell, I enjoyed the book but felt something was missing. I wanted more book, more story, more something. Again, I can't rightly express my feelings. However, I continue to be a KK fan and will continue to read her books. Additional thoughts...I just realized what bugged me about this book. I didn't feel God in the pages. Every other KK book has been very much about prayer, seeking God's wisdom, etc. I like Karen's very in your face writing about God and seeking a relationship with him. I didn't feel that here. Other than Charlie praying about the store, I didn't see the other characters really going to God.. this is my The Bridge: A Novel [Deckle Edge] [Hardcover] reviews

The Bridge: A Novel [Deckle Edge] [Hardcover] Specs

• From Booklist
• What's left when you lose everything? Kingsbury (Coming Home, 2012) works through that tough question in her newest novel. Charlie Barton and his wife, Donna, ran the Bridge, a historic bookstore in Franklin, Tennessee, for 30 years, but a declining industry and a devastating flood left them with an empty storefront and insurmountable bills. Molly Allen and Ryan Kelly connected in college over their passion for reading, using the Bridge as their getaway from the very different lives they lead. ED: S/B "they led"? Years later, both look back and wonder what could have been. When Charlie gets into a horrible accident, Ryan decides to organize a book drive and gather donations, so Charlie can rebuild the bookstore when he heals. Through the effort, Ryan and Molly reconnect. It's hard to know what is most important until something forces you to change your perspective. Kingsbury's characters are confronted with the hard choices readers face daily. The award-winning author brings her trademark empathy for the people she writes for to this tale, and fans will love her dramatic take on real issues. --Carolyn Richard
• Review
• "Popular inspirational novelist Kingsbury goes mainstream in her newest, which mixes a love story with a seasonal one that borrows from the Christmas favorite It's A Wonderful Life. . . . Kingsbury fans may acquire a new holiday favorite read in this sugary tale of second chances." (Publishers Weekly )
• Reader Praise for The Bridge:
• "The Bridge is a reminder that all things aren't as they seem. That things really do work together for the good! That God IS in control even when we can't see it. Karen's books make you laugh, cry, and leave you wanting more! Her characters are so real you feel like you know them, and want to be friends with them. Once I read the first page of The Bridge I couldn't put it down. I read the entire book in one day!!" (Hellen (Annette) H. )
• "Karen Kingsbury once again uses her beautiful talent to illustrate God's awesome love and grace for us! Each new story speaks to so many hearts across the world. Karen's gift is certainly a loving legacy that I share with others!" (Cyndi A. )
• "Gripping from the beginning, The Bridge is an amazing story where we learn even in tragedy or loss God is the God of second chances and we should learn to treasure the miracles He sends our way." (Chris V. )
• "Karen Kingsbury's newest book, The Bridge, will tug at the heart-strings of old time bookstore lovers everywhere! Blend in a little romance with the timeless principle of doing unto others as you would have them do unto you, and you have a classic story built around classic books!" (Annette W. )
• "The Bridge is a story of friendship, love, forgiveness, and God's amazing grace. Join Charlie, Donna, Molly, and Ryan on an adventure of never-ending friendship in this wonderful story that God will never leave us and always protect us." (Hope P. )
• "Karen Kingsbury has done it again with The Bridge. She is more than an author. She's a vessel that God has used to minister to myself, as well as her other readers. She is a passionate and inspirational woman of God. I am grateful for her faithfulness and obedience to write when God gives her a story. Thank you, Karen, for your faithfulness. Your stories have touched my life more than you could ever know." (Tami D. )
• "Once again Karen writes such strong characters that draw deep emotions, you feel like you are right there, a part of the story. The Bridge is a beautiful love story intertwined with many types of love. You will be truly moved and inspired by this story. Have the tissues ready!!!" (Renette S. )
• "The Bridge is an incredibly heart-warming collection of love stories—the story of a young couple in love, the story of an older couple who love each other and their fledgling business, and the love of a community coming together for one of its own. I could not put The Bridge down, because I was captivated by the events and anxious to read 'the rest of the story!' Inspirational! A beautiful story about second chances!" (Lisa H. )
• "The Bridge will be a bridge to your heart. It is a heart-warming story of second chances that you will not want to put down until you finish it. You will fall in love with the Barton's and their wonderful store & ministry as well as Molly and Ryan. This is a must read. God does give second chances and answer our prayers." (Marnie M. )
• See all Editorial Reviews

. The Bridge: A Novel [Deckle Edge] [Hardcover]

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The Bridge: A Novel [Deckle Edge] [Hardcover]
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9 out of 10 based on 60 ratings

The Hunters: Brotherband Chronicles, Book 3 [Hardcover] special discount

The Hunters: Brotherband Chronicles, Book 3 [Hardcover]

The Hunters: Brotherband Chronicles, Book 3 [Hardcover] Reviews

I have read through all of the Rangers Apprentice books and now all of the Brotherand Chronicles books as well. John Flanagan has a great way of developing the characters and the story so that you become emotionally invested in them both. If you're interested in this book you've probably already book 1 and 2 and already have a interest or need to know what becomes of our brotherband. I couldn't wait to see how they were going to finish the story and if they would make it home myself, and I was not disappointed. Without giving anything away, the group gets stronger, closer and ultimately in this coming of age tale, they all become the men they are supposed to be. Flanagan's books are just fun reads and I definitely recommend this, but only after you read the 1st two.. this is my The Hunters: Brotherband Chronicles, Book 3 [Hardcover] reviews

The Hunters: Brotherband Chronicles, Book 3 [Hardcover] Specs

• Review
• Picking up the story soon after events in The Invaders (2012), this engaging sequel opens aboard the Heron as Hal, his fellow Skandians, and their friend Lydia sail up a river in search of Zavac, the ruthless pirate who has stolen a precious relic from their village. Welcome humor lessens the dramatic tension at times, and the shipmates' individuality and comradeship make their adventures more meaningful. [This] novel provides a satisfying conclusion to the three-book cycle that opened with The Outcasts (2011). [A] vigorous offshoot of the Ranger's Apprentice series.
• —Booklist
• (Booklist )
• About the Author
• John Flanagan grew up in Sydney, Australia, hoping to be a writer. John began writing Ranger's Apprentice for his son, Michael, ten years ago, and is still hard at work on the series and its spinoff, Brotherband Chronicles. He currently lives in the suburb of Manly, Australia, with his wife. In addition to their son, they have two grown daughters and four grandsons.
• See all Editorial Reviews

. The Hunters: Brotherband Chronicles, Book 3 [Hardcover]

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The Hunters: Brotherband Chronicles, Book 3 [Hardcover],

8 out of 10 based on 50 ratings

Superman: Earth One Vol. 2 [Hardcover] special offers

Superman: Earth One Vol. 2 [Hardcover]

Superman: Earth One Vol. 2 [Hardcover] Reviews

DC's Earth One books were designed to be the companies' attempt at making stories in graphic novels for their respected characters, as opposed to making individual comics. These stories exist outside of the main continuity as to let writers have more leeway in writing about aspects that haven't been written about before, without interfering with overlapping details. And it all started with 2010's Superman: Earth One. Writer J. Michael Straczynski and artist Shane Davis made a cinematic reimaging of Clark Kent becoming Superman, that became a huge seller overnight. DC made JMS drop all of his projects at the time of release to get to work on a volume 2. After 2 years, does it proceed or trump Vol.1? I think so. SUPERMAN: EARTH ONE VOL.2 picks up right after the end of Vol.1, where we see Clark settling into his new persona of glasses and keeping to himself. He finally gets his own apartment with some new neighbors, including a flirtatious woman named Lisa Lasalle. Lois Lane, questioning how a young nobody like Clark Kent could get Superman's story, starts an investigation into Clark's background. And Raymond Maxwell Jensen, homicidal killer, accidently becomes the Parasite, a metahuman who can suck living beings powers and essence. How will Superman fight a creature who can steal his powers away? You'll have to find out. After reading both Earth One books of Superman Vol.1 and Batman, I've come to the conclusion the EO books are more about humanizing our protagonist and changing some aspects of the mythos, while stretching some of the taboos of the character. Batman: Earth One did this exceptionally well, with making a Bruce Wayne who never left Gotham, as well as being angst-ridden and making human errors. Superman Vol.1 did some subtle changes, but it played safe to the overall mythos. Vol.2 on the other hand, actually takes more risks on dealing with Clark Kent, the human side of Superman, including the subject of the 70+ year old question regarding sex for The Man of Steel, and I find it commendable. It's different to read about and is handled fairly well, which I'll talk about in a bit. There are two over-arching themes here: Superman represents power and Clark Kent represents isolation. Of the two, Clark Kent takes majority of the screen time and for someone like me who doesn't see a lot of stories on Clark, this is fresh perspective. The theme of being alone is so prevalent that a good majority of the interactions Clark has throughout the story are brief. Lois looks up Clarks background and finds out his whole life has been about keeping away from others due to his power and origins, and to the point that Clark had straight C-grades in school to stay under the radar. Lois, Jimmy, and Perry White are rarely seen for this intention as well to further this theme. It's handled well and you actually care for Clark being an outcast because of who he is. It makes his turmoil that much acceptable to the reader--especially a sad and lovely story about Clarks first pet. But this theme gets challenged by the only friend Clark gets (and love interest) Lisa Lasalle. Lisa pushes Clark into new territories, being a voluptuous redhead with tattoos immediately coming on to Clark from page one. The interaction of this one and only friend, as well as pushing Clark's boundaries in intimacy, gives Clark human qualities we all feel and sympathize with. And the taboo with dealing with sex for Superman (and the awkward and funny scene with Jonathan Kent and Clark over sex) is something that works out well, and adds those qualities never talked about before. I know JMS gets a lot of heat for shaking things up for characters, but I applaud him for trying. The other theme is power; power to rule, corrupt, and lust for. Power of Superman doing just about anything he wishes, and because of it, the world views him from both perspectives: a savior of a god or a destructive weapon ready to go off. This is shown when Superman goes to a foreign land and tries to help, only to be threatened about "guns are the power". The Parasite represents greed and monstrosity of what power can do. Even Superman has an edgy persona about him that drool's power. And even when Superman loses majority of his power, he finds something more about those who don't have it. It's a good metaphor and theme about where Superman stands in this world and universe, and it offsets the more somberness of the book with action. The theme isn't handled as well as the theme of isolation, but it works. As for art, Shane Davis is up there with some of the more underrated artist. He puts on the same level of detail and cinematic feel about it here like he did in Vol.1, but even more so. His detail to human expressions are key here. They go well with Straczynski's writing. 80% of the book is in the expressions, with only 20% in the action. So you'll do well to take your time and really take in the panels. As for complaints, it lies in the character usage of Lisa, Lois, and the Parasite. The Parasite is written somewhat one-dimensional. He plays a great monstrosity of a character, but lacks some polish on his background. As for Lisa, she is and will probably be the biggest lighting rod for debate, due to the nature of her. For one, JMS writes some horribly cheesy lines for her. She immediately slathers her way onto Clark from page one, which is something most people would never do. JMS could have at least eased into her coming on to Clark, but it feels way to fast and ridiculous to believe. The other is her being the new love interest over Lois. Lois and Clark barely have anything to do with one another in Earth One, so this will feel uneasy with readers who feel Lois should be the love interest. And the other...well sorry if this feels like spoiler, but...Lisa is a prostitute (occasionally). This little nugget of information has already made people up-in-arms over feminist as seeing Lisa as stereotypical. People might see this as Clark being around a women who is "impure" to someone like himself. I don't mind this take, but some people out there might really go nuts over this. SUPERMAN: EARTH ONE VOL.2 does everything Vol.1 does, but ups it up greatly. This is a great character study on Clark Kent, and using the Earth One title to deal with such forbidden discussion to great effect. If you're one who didn't enjoy Vol.1, then this book probably won't change your mind. But if you did enjoy Vol.1 and want to take it further, Vol.2 shouldn't disappoint. And if your one who wants a different take on the Clark Kent/Superman mythos, then this too is worth checking out. The big teases and set-ups for the inevitable Vol.3, I'm looking forward on what JMS and Davis do in the future.. this is my Superman: Earth One Vol. 2 [Hardcover] reviews

Superman: Earth One Vol. 2 [Hardcover] Specs

• Amazon.com Review
• Q&A with J. Michael Straczynski
• Q. Were you surprised by the tremendous success of SUPERMAN: EARTH ONE Vol. 1?
• A. J. Michael Straczynski: Yes and no. Any time one writes a book of any sort, one hopes for success with it. I knew that the story was as solid as I could make it, the art was great, and our lead character is one of the most recognizable figures in the world, so all of the elements were there. The question then becomes the degree to which it resonates with an audience: do they care about the story and the characters?
• So while I suspected the book would do well, given the elements above, I never expected that it would spend 37 weeks on the New York Times bestseller list for graphic novels. What's especially interesting about that is that in the weeks and months since it came out, I heard from a massive number of readers who said that they'd never picked up a Superman comic before, that the character hadn't really interested them previously, but that they bought, and enjoyed, this one. I think we managed to reach a considerable number of folks who had never been able to dial into the character before.
• We'd taken a rather risky path with the character of Clark Kent in the book, so to receive both a very strong response in both critical reception and sales was a huge validation that we'd made the right choice.
• Q. Many creators have re-imagined Superman's origin story throughout the years. What frame of mind did you put yourself in to create a new, unique vision that stands by itself?
• A. J. Michael Straczynski: The answer to that dovetails rather neatly into the comments above, but requires a bit of a long story. For two years I'd worked in Vancouver as writer/producer on a Showtime TV series called Jeremiah. Every week, I'd go down to the comics store on Granville near Robson for my comics fix. Now, if you know that area, then you know that Granville is a haven for street kids: the lost and the transitional, the runaways and the throwaways. I would often see them walk into the comics store in search of something, anything that resonated with them, and the world in which they had to live. They would scan the multicolored racks with desperate eyes, looking for something uplifting that would speak to them...and return to the streets empty handed.
• For Superman to remain relevant, the character must grow and change and evolve, must be re-invented for each new generation. So that's what I decided to do with Superman: bring him to Metropolis in his early 20s today, right now, and give him the same task that awaits so many others at that age: let him define himself, figure out what he wants to do with his life and show the difficulties, but also the joys, of making that happen.
• Q. What is the core tenet behind the SUPERMAN: EARTH ONE mythology you and artist Shane Davis have created?
• A. J. Michael Straczynski: To show the human side of Clark and make him relatable. The key thing about Superman is that while you cannot pierce his skin, you can pierce his heart. His journey has to be one filled with action but it must also be a very personal journey of discovery. We must all discover who we are, and what we stand for when standing is the most difficult. Clark Kent is no different in that respect, and that key gave us our central approach to the character.
• Q. Parasite is the starring villain in Vol. 2. What aspects of the character have you focused on?
• A. J. Michael Straczynski: The Parasite is in a way the mirror image of Superman, in that Superman gives of himself to help others, and the Parasite takes from others to strengthen himself. So that gave us our focus from a thematic perspective. Before the accident that transforms him, he is a serial killer who exploits people until he no longer needs them, then murders them and moves on. Cold, calculating, conscienceless and very much in control. As Parasite, when the hunger for power hits him, he is very much out of control, and that dichotomy gave us some really cool dynamics to play with.
• Q. Your version of Clark Kent isn't the instantly heroic Boy Scout archetype we all know. Will we see further change in Clark in Vol. 2?
• A. J. Michael Straczynski: For me, the fun in writing Clark is that he's not so much a boy scout as he is, in his way, kind of naive when he comes to Metropolis for the first time. He's led a life in which he was always afraid that he might accidentally hurt someone, or that his powers might be discovered, so he withdrew into himself, leading a life where he touched as few people as possible, and was touched by few of them in return. Because he was an outsider, in a very literal sense, there was always a barrier between him and other people, between him and fun. But now that he's out in the world, on his own for the first time, he has to relate to other people more intimately than he has in the past, and there's a certain amount of fun involved in that, some of it at his expense. He has to figure out how to rent an apartment on his own, and how to deal with the beautiful young woman next door who thinks he's really cute. He's protective, and strong, but also very shy in his ways, and that ends up being very attractive.
• Q. Are there any other supporting characters from the Superman mythos we'll see in Vol. 2?
• A. J. Michael Straczynski: In addition to Parasite, there's an appearance by one character known well to fans of Superman, but whom I've been deliberately holding back until I could bring him in via a new path, reinventing him in ways that parallel what we're doing with Clark. I think this will be a pleasant surprise for readers, especially given the character he arrives alongside. I don't think anybody will see this one coming.
• About the Author
• J. MICHAEL STRACZYNSKI has worked in television, comics and, most recently, motion pictures. In comics, he is known for The Amazing Spider-Man, The Twelve, Thor and Silver Surfer: Requiem, as well as SUPERMAN: EARTH ONE Volumes 1 & 2 and BEFORE WATCHMEN for DC Comics. He is the creator of the hit TV series Babylon 5, and was nominated for the 2009 Best Writer Eisner Award. In movies, he is known for writing films including Changeling, Thor and a forthcoming reinterpretation of Forbidden Planet.

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8 out of 10 based on 68 ratings

Captain Vorpatril's Alliance (Vorkosigan Saga) [Hardcover] best price

Captain Vorpatril's Alliance (Vorkosigan Saga) [Hardcover]

Captain Vorpatril's Alliance (Vorkosigan Saga) [Hardcover] Reviews

I'm a fan of the Vorkosigan series, so for me, this was a five star book. I bought the electronic version through Baen and have already reread it. For non fans, I'm not sure how it would go, but probably 4 stars. Would people who don't know Ivan understand the complaint of Ivan's boss? The boss asked why Ivan's mother asked him about Ivan's personal life instead of asking Ivan. Ivan responded, "Experience, maybe." There are gems all the way through the book for fans and non fans. It is mentioned that on Barrayar people were subjects, not citizens. Someone notes that the emperor is the only one on Barrayar that isn't a subject and wonders if that makes him an object. Humor abounds and all sorts of characters from previous novels make cameo appearances. Bujold sensibly keeps Cordelia, Miles, and Mark largely out of the picture, because they tend to dominate. The plethora of minor characters would be a problem for a new reader of the series, but are enjoyable to people who've met them before. Bujold had a difficult task in this book. She has a hero that is not an overly ambitious man, and she made him sympathetic and enjoyable. Ivan is shown at his best. He is brave, loyal and chivalrous. He comes through when he needs to. He's not as bright as Miles or Cordelia, but he isn't stupid. I would not advise people who haven't read Bujold before to start here, although her writing has never been better. If you haven't read the Vorkosigan series, there are a number of good books waiting for you.. this is my Captain Vorpatril's Alliance (Vorkosigan Saga) [Hardcover] reviews

Captain Vorpatril's Alliance (Vorkosigan Saga) [Hardcover] Specs

• From Booklist
• *Starred Review* Set a few years before the most recent Miles Vorkosigan story (Cryoburn, 2011), this may be one of the most anticipated and long-awaited entries to Bujold's acclaimed Vorkosigan saga. For years fans have clamored for Ivan Vorpatril's story, and at last Bujold delivers something that will both thrill the devoted audience and entrance new readers. For many years, Ivan has been perfectly content to live a quiet bachelor life and serve as a staff officer to a Barrayaran admiral. With no desire for the imperial throne or the types of death-defying adventures that his cousin Miles so adores, Ivan has become a master at avoiding political intrigue and entangling alliances. Asked to look after a young woman during a brief trip to Komarr, Ivan is happy to oblige. But when his attempt to ask the woman out ends up with her handmaiden knocking him out and tying him to a chair, Ivan realizes that something very bad is going on. It quickly becomes clear that the only way Ivan can save himself and his charge is to marry Tej Arqua and bring her home to Barrayar. Longtime readers will love seeing a new side of Ivan as well as hearing his views on many of the series characters. New readers can enjoy Ivan's story on its own but will miss many of the nuances that add depth and character; best to begin at the beginning. Essential for all SF collections and a must-read for Bujold and Vorkosigan fans. HIGH-DEMAND BACKSTORY: In the SF world, a new release doesn't get much bigger than this one. The wait is finally over for Bujold's followers. --Jessica Moyer
• About the Author
• A science fiction legend, Lois McMaster Bujold has won six Hugo Awards and three Nebula Awards. Her Miles Vorkosigan saga is a hugely popular science fiction mainstay with multiple New York Times bestsellers including previous entries, Cryoburn and Diplomatic Immunity. The mother of two, Ms. Bujold lives in Minneapolis.

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Captain Vorpatril's Alliance (Vorkosigan Saga) [Hardcover]
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8 out of 10 based on 60 ratings

WWE Encyclopedia Updated & Expanded [Hardcover] special offers

WWE Encyclopedia Updated & Expanded [Hardcover]

WWE Encyclopedia Updated & Expanded [Hardcover] Reviews

I've bought about 12-15 WWE books, so I know what they are all about. This one is the best on EVER, hands down. It has anybody who has ever wrestled in WWE, including many of the jobbers. Heck, even Chris Benoit is in it. If you are a wrestling fan, you must own this book.. this is my WWE Encyclopedia Updated & Expanded [Hardcover] reviews

WWE Encyclopedia Updated & Expanded [Hardcover] Specs

• Review
• "[A] welcome addition to any wrestling fan's coffee table or library collection. This book…remains an invaluable source for any WWE fan looking to become more well-versed on the company's storied history." – Post and Courier

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WWE Encyclopedia Updated & Expanded [Hardcover],

7 out of 10 based on 60 ratings

Avengers vs. X-Men [Hardcover] best price

Avengers vs. X-Men [Hardcover]

Avengers vs. X-Men [Hardcover] Reviews

* * * INTRO * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Avengers Vs X-Men is the culmination of a long and intricate Marvel macro-saga that started in the year 2004 with Avengers Disassembled and continued with House Of M, Messiah Complex, Second Coming and The Children's Crusade (and pretty much every other Marvel event from Civil War to Schism, though those mentioned before are the most relevant ones to AVX, as they deal directly with the Scarlet Witch and Hope). But AVX not only is the culmination of an entire age of Marvel events, it also sets the stage for a new era of storylines that start with the "Marvel NOW!" initiative. * * * CONTENTS * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * This volume includes: - Avengers Vs. X-Men #0 to 12 - This is the main series, where pretty much everything happens. - AVX: VS #1 to 6 - Each issue of this series features two 10-pages long short stories "expanding" fight scenes from the main series. Nothing really relevant happens here, it's only fight scenes, some of them pretty good, but others a little weak and irrelevant. - Avengers Vs X-Men: Infinite Comics #1, 6 and 10 - Now for the first time in print, this issues were originaly released only in digital form, serving as prologues to issues #1, 6 and 10 of the main series respectively, as those are turning points in the story. (NOTE: These three issues are the only ones ever created for the Infinite Comics series, don't mind the interrupted numbering, issues #2, 3, 4, etc, DON'T EXIST) - Point One - A 7-pages short story introducing the new Nova character for the first time. This story acts as a prologue to the AVX series. Point One originally featured seven different short-stories, but only this one is printed here, as the rest of them are not related to the AVX event. IMPORTANT NOTE: AVX had a lot of tie-ins running in other ongoing series, such as Avengers, New Avengers, Secret Avengers, Uncanny X-Men and Wolverine & The X-Men. Those tie-in issues are NOT INCLUDED in this volume. Don't worry, they are not really necessary to understand the story, as most of them rather focus on characters and situations of those specific ongoing series. * * * ABOUT THE STORY * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * I'll try to be as objective and spoiler-free as I can. This event is written by Brian Bendis, Jason Aaron, Ed Brubaker, Matt Fraction and Jonathan Hickman. All of them plotted the whole series and then each of them wrote the script for 2 (or 3, in some cases) individual issues. The Infinite Comics issues are written by Mark Waid with Ives Bigerel, and the short stories from AVX VS feature Jason Aaron, Matt Fraction, Kieron Gillen, Rick Remender, Jeph Loeb, Christopher Yost, Kathryn Immonen, Kaare Andrews and Steve McNiven. About Avengers Vs X-Men (main series): Issue #0 features two short stories, one focusing on the Scarlet Witch, the responsible for the near extinction of the mutant race and the other one features Hope, the first mutant to be born after the near extinction event caused by the Scarlet Witch. These two are going to be major player in the story, that's why they are introduced here. Issue #1 pretty much sets up the story: the Phoenix Force is coming to Earth and no one is safe. The X-Men lead by Cyclops think that Hope, the "Mutant Messiah", is destined to channel the Phoenix and kickstart the rebirth of the mutant race. However, the Avengers and Wolverine (who is leading his own team of X-Men) think that the arrival of the Phoenix can only mean the obliteration of our planet and want to stop it from reaching Hope. The problem comes with issues #2 to 5: they are a complete mess of inconsequentional fight after fight, which are cut in the middle of the action to then be ill-expanded in the respective AVX VS issues. This hurts the sense of narrative in a very serious way. I love action as anyone else (and expect it from this particular title), but this is completely senseless action and does no good to the book. With issue #6 the story picks up: there's a major turning point, the writers start to put more meaning into the action and the narrative improves as well (the battles are much better accomplished and the AVX VS complements stories are well-designed to expand them without hurting the narrative so much). I won't tell what happens in issue #6, but suffice to say that the conflict between the Avengers and the X-Men escalates exponentially. The last 3 issues of the series take the conflict to its climax, setting up the stage for a new status quo in the Marvel Universe, at least for short-term and maybe medium-term future (probably in the same way Avengers Disassembled and House Of M did a few years ago). The problem with the resolution of the story is that it becomes a bit predicatable and feels too editorially-driven. There are some shocking events nearing the end of the book, but they aren't surprising at all: maybe event after event, year after year, developed a numbing effect to this kind of shocks and nothing surprises anymore. * * * ABOUT THE ART * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * John Romita Jr. illustrates the 5 first issues of the series, and they are the most unattractive of the whole book. I usually like (even love) Romita Jr.'s art, but in this case his pages look very rushed and uninspired. Fortunately issues 6, 7 and 11 are illustrated by Oliver Coipel, and issues 8 to 10 and 12 by Adam Kubert. Both of them do a great job, showcasing beautiful art and raising the bar of the series immediately. Additional art in the AVX VS series and Infinite Comics feature a cast of notable artists, including: Ed McGuiness, Stuart Immonen, Adam Kubert, Steve McNiven, Leinil Yu, Salvador Larroca, Terry Dodson, Brandon Peterson, Kaare Andrews, Tom Raney, Carlo Barberi and Reilly Brown. Many of them are well-known stars and deliver high quality performances, so you won't be disappointed with their art. * * * ABOUT THE EDITION * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * POSITIVE aspects: + This is an over-sized hardcover edition (with larger trim size than standard comic-books). + It's a high quality book, with glossy paper stock and excellent printing quality: colors are vibrant and line art is sharp. + Extras include 9 pages of pencil pages, sketches and designs by the main artists and a 4-pages "Scorecard" with a well-designed index of all the battles accross the book. There's also a 2-pages introduction by WWE Champion CM Punk. + This edition includes a code to be redeemed for a FREE Digital Copy if you use the Marvel Comics app. (Unfortunately I can't give you any insight about this feature, because I don't use the Marvel Comics app). NEGATIVE aspects: - This is NOT a sewn-binding book. This hardcover features a glued-binding and this causes gutter loss that prevents from fully appreciating the art in double-page spreads. The book still reads well and the binding is solid, so it will last for a very long time, but with an expensive $75 edition, one would expect the highest quality standards of the Marvel Omnibus line. - The variant covers are NOT reproduced in full-page size, instead we get a gallery that showcases 4 variant covers per page. These covers are illustrated by some top talent artists like Jerome Opeña and Esad Ribic among many others, so they'd deserve to be printed in full size so one could appreciate the detail properly. SPECIAL NOTE: The issues are NOT presented in chronological order. They are printed in the following order: Point One's Nova story, Avengers Vs X-Men #0 to 12, AVX #1 to 6, Avengers Vs X-Men Infinite Comics. * * * CONCLUSION * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Avengers Vs X-Men could have been an epic series, but in the end I can't help but feel it formulaic and flawed. I really wanted to enjoy the series and had high hopes in the star-ensemble of writers, featuring veteran Marvel architects like Bendis and Brubaker and promising newcomers like Aaron and Hickman, but in the end there's not really a lot of difference between AVX and other Marvel events like Siege or Civil War: rushed action, some out of character depictions and incidents for editorial sake. However this story has its positive aspects also: I think it sucessfuly closes a lot of loose ends and brings closure to the 9-years of continued events that Bendis inaugurated with Avengers Disassembled, while setting up a new and promising status for the Marvel Universe, for both Avengers and X-Men franchises. In the end Avengers Vs X-Men is just a "good" story: it's not bad at all, but it doesn't really excel in any aspect. It could have been epic, but it just limits itself to decently tell a story in order to set up a new stage for new stories in the Marvel Universe.. this is my Avengers vs. X-Men [Hardcover] reviews

Avengers vs. X-Men [Hardcover] Specs

• Hardcover: 568 pages
• Publisher: Marvel; Har/Psc Lt edition (November 21, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0785163174
• ISBN-13: 978-0785163176
• Product Dimensions: 1.2 x 7.8 x 10.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (79 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,893 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
• #14 in Books > Comics & Graphic Novels > Publishers > Marvel
• #64 in Books > Comics & Graphic Novels > Graphic Novels > Superheroes
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. Avengers vs. X-Men [Hardcover]

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Avengers vs. X-Men [Hardcover]
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9 out of 10 based on 57 ratings

Assassin's Creed III - The Complete Official Guide - Collector's Edition [Hardcover] special offers

Assassin's Creed III - The Complete Official Guide - Collector's Edition [Hardcover]

Assassin's Creed III - The Complete Official Guide - Collector's Edition [Hardcover] Reviews

Excellent layout and colorfol illustrations throughout. I like the supplemental flow chart that points you to the appropriate section of the book if you need some general backstory or greater detail on the previous storyline. This really helps you find info you're looking for without stumbling into a spoiler. I'm a guidebook collector, especially of hardcover guidebooks, and I can tell you this guidebook is as beautiful and informative as the books for the prequels to ACIII.. this is my Assassin's Creed III - The Complete Official Guide - Collector's Edition [Hardcover] reviews

Assassin's Creed III - The Complete Official Guide - Collector's Edition [Hardcover] Specs

• Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.
• Designed from the ground up over more than two years, Assassin's Creed III takes one of gaming's most beloved franchises to new heights.
• The year is 1775. The American colonies are about to revolt. You are Connor, an assassin who has sworn to secure liberty for his people and his nation. To do so, you will hunt your enemies across a staggeringly large, open, and realistic world. You will unleash your lethal skills in a violent quest that will take you from chaotic city streets to blood-soaked battlefields in the hostile American wilderness and beyond. You will meet legendary heroes of American history, and together you will conspire to annihilate those who threaten Liberty itself.
• Whether you use your predatory instincts to kill silently, or your fearsome arsenal to kill openly, one thing is clear: the world that the Assassins live in has become far more deadly. And so have you.

. Assassin's Creed III - The Complete Official Guide - Collector's Edition [Hardcover]

Assassin's Creed III - The Complete Official Guide - Collector's Edition [Hardcover] Best buy

Assassin's Creed III - The Complete Official Guide - Collector's Edition [Hardcover]
. Assassin's Creed III - The Complete Official Guide - Collector's Edition [Hardcover] will.. (Read More)

Assassin's Creed III - The Complete Official Guide - Collector's Edition [Hardcover],

9 out of 10 based on 60 ratings