August 16th, 2008 ideru
what is Un Lun Dun? It is London through the looking glass, and urban Wonderland of strange delights where words are alive, a jungle lurks behind the streets, and a dark cloud dreams of burning the world. It is a city awaiting its hero, whose coming was prophesied long ago, set down for all time in the pages of a talking book.
when 12-year old Zanna and her friend Deeba find a secret entrance leading out of Londo and into this strange city, it seems that the ancient prophecy is coming true at last. But then things begin to go shockingly wrong.
It’s said that “don’t judge a book by its cover”, but its the cover the draws me to this book. I did not plan to buy any book that time, cause I was trying to save for something else, but when I saw the cover it actually reminded me of Coraline and reading the excerpt reminded me of Neverwhere, both of which were written by Neil Gaiman. One of the reviews said that it is highly recommended for Neil Gaiman and Clive Baker fans. I’m not familiar with Clive Baker’s work but I’m definitely a Neil Gaiman fan :D. So without further ado I bought it. And I was not disappointed. It was really fun reading it. One thing about I like it is that you can make your own destiny not because people says it is, but because you work hard for it. And of course you can create your own imaginary city in between 
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August 5th, 2008 ideru
Isabel Allende.
An orphan raised in Valparaiso, Chile, by a Victorian spinster and her rigid brother, young, vivacious Eliza Sommers follows her lover to California during the Gold Rush of 1849. She enters a rough-and-tumble world whose newly arrived inhabitants are driven mad by gold fever. A society of single men and prostitutes among whom Eliza moves-with the help of her good friend and savior, the Chinese doctor Tao Chi’en-California opens the door to a new life of freedom and independence for the young Chilean. Her search for the elusive lover gradually turns into another kind of journey, and by the time she finally hears news of him, Eliza must decide who her true love really is.
From Chile, to China, England and to California, Allende will take you to a journey.Shows you the difference between each culture and how love move mountains
Destiny brought Tao and Eliza together, and each must find what they really wanted to finally be see true happiness.
I must admit, it was a little bit boring in the beginning but as you go on further, you will appreciate the richness of details. A great journey indeed ..
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July 18th, 2008 ideru
by DAI SIJIE
1971: Mao’s Cultural Revolution is at its peak. Two sons of doctors sent to ‘re-education’ camps, forced to carry buckets of excrement up and down mountain paths, have only their sense of humour to keep them going, although the attractive daughter of the local tailor also helps to distract them from the task at hand.
The boys’ true re-education starts, however, when they discover a hidden suitcase packed with the great Western novels of the nineteenth century. Their lives are transformed. And not only their lives: after listening to the stories of Balzac, the little seamstress will never be the same again.
” A woman’s beauty is a treasure beyond price.”
– Balzac
I am not familiar with Mao’s Cultural Revolution and know very little about Chinese History so I am not going to touch on that matter.
Instead I find it really touching when the two friends found books and their thirst for it. I guess we can find the importance of things when its not available to us anymore, in this case books. It’s kinda sad really that in our era, books and other type of knowledge is just within our grasp and yet we take it for granted.
This book is very easy to read and yet full of life.
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July 14th, 2008 ideru
It seems I no longer need to banged my head in understanding all the kanji, a friend found an online translation of Tasogare no Kishi, Akatsuki no Sora ( 黄昏の岸、暁の天） [The Shore at Twilight, The Sky at Daybreak]. The continuing story of Taiki, and Tai Kingdom.
Narrates the quest of Risai, the general of Zui Province to Kei Kingdom to ask for the Kei’s Empress for help.
How Tai Kingdom’s throne ended vacant one year after a new King was appointed by Taiki.
How must Youko , Empress of Kei, react to such a cry for help when Heaven mandates that crossing to another kingdom no matter how noble your intention is one of the gravest sin to be committed by any ruler. Youko must somehow find a way to extend help to Tai without violating any of the precepts from Heaven and putting her own Kingdom in danger.
In the anime we where left hanging as to what really happen Taiki. In this 2 volumes, everything is explained. I love the part where all the Kirin put their efforts to finding Taiki and having the rest of the Kingdoms extend their help without violating any rule.
Will they be able to find Taiki? Will Taiki be able to remember who he was after 6 years of being missing ?
Although the book focuses in the search of Taiki, it does yet says whether Tai Kingdom will be restored or they will be able to find the King. The Chronicles of Tai is far from over..
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June 27th, 2008 ideru
A Dirk Pitt Adventure.
When a tsunami hit a Spanish Galleon, all trace of a golden hoard greater that that of any pharaohs vanished into history. Until NUMA agent Dirk Pitt dives into an ancient sacrificial pool far into the Andean jungle in order to rescue two archaeologists, and plunges into a vortex of corruption, betrayal and death. A sinister crime syndicate has traced the long-lost treasure-worth almost a billion dollars- from the Andes to the banks of a hidden underground river flowing beneath a Mexican desert. Nothing will stop their ruthless and murderous drive to recover the gold. Nothing, that is, until Pitt and his team place themselves in path of danger.
My very first Dirk Pitt book, and it was an action-pack read plus a little background into Andes culture and history.
It was like reading another Indiana Jones adventure + James Bond with all its gadgets.
It is a book you can put down when you start reading it, you just can’t stop till you reach the very end of Pitt’s adventure. An the author Cussler is also in the book as one of its minor character, just have to read it first to know where they met him
I guess I’ll be looking for more Dirk Pitt adventure now, I can’t wait to get my hands on them.
An entry to Orbis Terrarum for US.
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May 21st, 2008 ideru
A novel of CLEOPATRA. by Colin Falconer.
He left her alone in the inky darkness of the future, and even from the moment of his final breath she could hear the slithering of cold bodies and baring of fangs….
Arrestingly beautiful and fiercely intelligent, Cleopatra VII of Egypt was barely more than a teenager when she inherited the richest empire in the world. Imperilled at ever turn by court conspiracies and Roman treachery, she brazenly sought a partnership with the only man who could secure Egypt’s safety:Julius Ceasar, a wily politician and battle-hardened general with weakness for women. The result was a passionate love affair that scandalised Rome and thrust Cleopatra into the glittering but deadly world of imperial intrigue and warfare - a world that she mesmerized and manipulated even after Ceasar was gone.
Until this very day, the name Cleopatra provoked an image of a beautiful woman, an Egyptian Queen unlike no other. This book not portrayed a strong-willed woman but a loving mother and a fierce queen who do everything for Egypt. To her people she is a goddess but to her lovers she is woman.
One of those book that I could not put down till the very last page.
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May 19th, 2008 ideru
After the escape form Chapterhouse, a ship carrying a crew of refugees escapes into the uncharted galaxy, fleeing from a terrifying enemy. To strengthen their forces, the fugitives used genetic technology to revive key figures from Dune’s past - including Paul Muad’Dib Atriedes and Lady Jessica - to use their special talents to meet the incredible challenges of the journey.
With the Enemy fast approaching, destroying every planet along the way, humans as we know it might cease to exist. Murbella, the Mother Commander of Chapterhouse and Sheena on the no-ship are doing both their best to find a way for humans to fight this terrible Enemy.
Exhilarating. The Final Chapter of Dune but the End of Dune is Far from Over.
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April 28th, 2008 ideru
THE body of Edgar Allan Poe has been buried in an unmarked grave. The public, the press, even Poe’s own family and friends accept the conclusion that Poe was a second-rate writer who met a disgraceful end as a drunkard. But none of this deters a young Baltimore lawyer named Quentin Clark.
Historically, it is interesting. I know of Poe but not well. I have not thoroughly studied his works or his life for that matter but somehow the book is a bit dragging. If not for the book challenge, I would have forgotten I have it. It was still a good read and a good book.
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April 24th, 2008 ideru
Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Andersion
It took me a little while to finish it, I was waiting for the last book to be released but having too much time on hand right now, I decided to finished it first.
It was an amazing read. Lots of plot to covered though but it still gave that compelling feel of Dune. Just as I predicted, the ending is hanging and I can’t wait for the last book.
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April 1st, 2008 ideru
Steve Berry
ISBN-13: 978-0345485762
Cotton Malone’s teenage son has been kidnapped, and an anonymous e-mail from those responsible proves they will stop at nothing to get their hands on the coveted prize: the legendary lost Library of Alexandria, which vanished fifteen hundred years ago, its untold secrets rumored to hold the keys to ultimate power. Pursued by lethal mercenary, Malone crosses the globe in search of this vast bounty of wisdom. His quest will lead him to England and Portugal, even to the highest levels of American government - and shattering outcome , deep in the Sinai desert, will have worldwide repercussions.
Berry did it again. Since reading his The Third Secret book, he has been one of my sought after writer. I like the way he writes, the story is smoothly narrated and you don’t want to put down the book .
In The Alexandria Link, the main focus was the of course the library of Alexandria which holds the most or the greatest treasure of all: Knowledge. Unfortunately, it is lost forever, the works of the worlds greatest minds. And then there is the story of the Old and the New Testament, now am not going to elaborate on that, spoils the fun in reading. A great read.
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