The Mist in "great Stephen King movie" shock!, 07 Oct 2008
Firstly, shop around and get the "Skeleton Crew" anthology instead, where you'll get several other King short stories as well as this novella - much better value, so a star off for that.
Great King story, classic set-up and scares, and some nice observations about the siege mentality of humankind. Possibly even a link to the "Dark Tower" series - has the Arrowhead Project ripped a hole between dimensions and created a "thinny"?
A second star off for the ending, which just tails off into nothing. Be warned if you plan on watching the movie version (which is fantastic - it's by Frank Darabont, so of course it is!): the ending is radically different and far superior. In fact, it is stunning in its audacity. Kudos to Darabont for refusing studio pressure to change it, and to King for agreeing to the change to his story. Be warned - it is bleak.

Very Readable Horror-Now a Movie., 05 Sep 2008
I read this on a long train ride and it certainly helped to pass the time. People under pressure in a base under seige is always a good bet for an absorbing drama. This 'novella' also shows how people react; bringing out the best and worst in them. Mrs Carmody is a particularly monstrous creation, rivalling anything outside the supermarket. Not sure about the ending though, but you will have to read this to make your own mind up. There is a motion picture of this book now, which I am looking forward to seeing (apparently with a different ending.) A recommended read.

The Mist, 27 Jun 2008
I really enjoyed the book with the people being traped in the Supermarket. I am going to order the movie at Christmas time. It's a bit like the movie Terror in the Mall only instead of water trapping them it is the Mist. The old woman in the book seemed crazy going on about death and saying it's death out there. If the book was excellent I can't wait to see the film when I get it.

I give this book 5 stars!

Good story - Buy Skeleton Crew., 08 Jun 2008
Just a short note to say this story is available in the book 'Skeleton Crew', which is much better value for money. Stephen King is a master of the horror novel, but a lot of his short story collections are highly underrated.

brilliant, 24 Apr 2008
one of my favourite books ever. dead short, but brilliant. if you can get it cheap, it's well worth a read... 5 stars

The Mist in "great Stephen King movie" shock!, 07 Oct 2008
Firstly, shop around and get the "Skeleton Crew" anthology instead, where you'll get several other King short stories as well as this novella - much better value, so a star off for that.
Great King story, classic set-up and scares, and some nice observations about the siege mentality of humankind. Possibly even a link to the "Dark Tower" series - has the Arrowhead Project ripped a hole between dimensions and created a "thinny"?
A second star off for the ending, which just tails off into nothing. Be warned if you plan on watching the movie version (which is fantastic - it's by Frank Darabont, so of course it is!): the ending is radically different and far superior. In fact, it is stunning in its audacity. Kudos to Darabont for refusing studio pressure to change it, and to King for agreeing to the change to his story. Be warned - it is bleak.

Very Readable Horror-Now a Movie., 05 Sep 2008
I read this on a long train ride and it certainly helped to pass the time. People under pressure in a base under seige is always a good bet for an absorbing drama. This 'novella' also shows how people react; bringing out the best and worst in them. Mrs Carmody is a particularly monstrous creation, rivalling anything outside the supermarket. Not sure about the ending though, but you will have to read this to make your own mind up. There is a motion picture of this book now, which I am looking forward to seeing (apparently with a different ending.) A recommended read.

The Mist, 27 Jun 2008
I really enjoyed the book with the people being traped in the Supermarket. I am going to order the movie at Christmas time. It's a bit like the movie Terror in the Mall only instead of water trapping them it is the Mist. The old woman in the book seemed crazy going on about death and saying it's death out there. If the book was excellent I can't wait to see the film when I get it.

I give this book 5 stars!

Good story - Buy Skeleton Crew., 08 Jun 2008
Just a short note to say this story is available in the book 'Skeleton Crew', which is much better value for money. Stephen King is a master of the horror novel, but a lot of his short story collections are highly underrated.

brilliant, 24 Apr 2008
one of my favourite books ever. dead short, but brilliant. if you can get it cheap, it's well worth a read... 5 stars

Pleasantly fresh and chillingly sinister storytelling, 24 Jun 2008
Quite a few months after finishing the excellent Path of Destruction, I had my fair share of scepticism to Karpyshyn's follow-up and conclusion of the tale of Darth Bane.

Going by the ridiculous cover art, and my having too much experience and awareness of lackluster second parts in storytelling, I feared Karpyshyn could not top or even equal the chilling anti-hero we grew up with in Path of Destruction. Oh, was I wrong.

Without going into the specifics, I'll be safe to say that Darth Bane - the novel and the character - never lets go. One of very few Star Wars novels centered around one of the Great Ancient Sith Lords, it continues the stream of insight into the cold-blooded ways of the Sith Karpyshyn began in the first novel. But that is not this tale's only strength.

In addition to a set of well thought out and highly interesting characters, the novel boasts a certain uniqueness, something fresh. The plentiful - but absolutely nowhere near generic - well-written battles and conflicts all keep you reading the book at top speed, and you might end up holding your breath at a certain few epic heights in the story.

While I'm certain people will find minor annoyances to nickpit at, such as the slightly different way Karpyshyn portrays combat use of the Force, my overall impression is that this is the best Star Wars novel I've read for years (out of many, after NJO's conclusion).

It might be I just have a morbid fascination of the dark side and its uses and users, but I do highly recommend this (and the first Darth Bane novel, if you for some reason skipped it) to any Star Wars fan or person interested in dark storytelling.

Darth Bane - Rule Of Two, 14 Jun 2008
Brilliant, Simply Brilliant.
Path Of Destruction was Amazing, and this is an Exelent Sequal.
The Story continues from where the previous finished.

The Story is very compelling and you get a reall good indepth insight into the world of the Sith. I would recmmend this book to any Starwars fan, providing you read the First book too, otherwise there could be some confusion.

5 Stars, Brilliant read. Well Worth the buy.

Return of the Sith, 07 Mar 2008
This is Drew Karpyshyn's second book in the Darth Bane series and the two are quite honestly the best star wars books you can buy.
I have read much of the new jedi order series and others but these books give an insight in the force that not even the films managed.
The characters are some of the best of any canon star wars material and the books are really just a joy to read and will leave you wanting more!

I would strongly urge any star wars fan especially those sick of constant infighting between jedi to buy these books and get a whole new perspective on the force - you will not be dissapointed!

Dark , powerful stuff !, 13 Feb 2008
If you are a lover of light fluffy insubstantial sci-fi then don't read this dark , violent and at times macabre tale of how the the Sith got up & running again . It is a nice easy read as it only took me a couple of evenings to get through and ends as abruptly as it starts . This book keeps you on the edge of your seat and would be the superb basis for a cartoon type movie . The characters have real depth and the imagery that this brilliant writer constructs is pretty powerful . I already look forward to the next novel in this sinister series and won't say more for fearing of ruining the suprise factor of all the dramatic twists and turns that so impressed me when I read it a few days ago . Amazon.co.uk are doing us customers a great favour by selling this at such a superb discount . If you love great sci-fi books then this is for you !

The Mist in "great Stephen King movie" shock!, 07 Oct 2008
Firstly, shop around and get the "Skeleton Crew" anthology instead, where you'll get several other King short stories as well as this novella - much better value, so a star off for that.
Great King story, classic set-up and scares, and some nice observations about the siege mentality of humankind. Possibly even a link to the "Dark Tower" series - has the Arrowhead Project ripped a hole between dimensions and created a "thinny"?
A second star off for the ending, which just tails off into nothing. Be warned if you plan on watching the movie version (which is fantastic - it's by Frank Darabont, so of course it is!): the ending is radically different and far superior. In fact, it is stunning in its audacity. Kudos to Darabont for refusing studio pressure to change it, and to King for agreeing to the change to his story. Be warned - it is bleak.

Very Readable Horror-Now a Movie., 05 Sep 2008
I read this on a long train ride and it certainly helped to pass the time. People under pressure in a base under seige is always a good bet for an absorbing drama. This 'novella' also shows how people react; bringing out the best and worst in them. Mrs Carmody is a particularly monstrous creation, rivalling anything outside the supermarket. Not sure about the ending though, but you will have to read this to make your own mind up. There is a motion picture of this book now, which I am looking forward to seeing (apparently with a different ending.) A recommended read.

The Mist, 27 Jun 2008
I really enjoyed the book with the people being traped in the Supermarket. I am going to order the movie at Christmas time. It's a bit like the movie Terror in the Mall only instead of water trapping them it is the Mist. The old woman in the book seemed crazy going on about death and saying it's death out there. If the book was excellent I can't wait to see the film when I get it.

I give this book 5 stars!

Good story - Buy Skeleton Crew., 08 Jun 2008
Just a short note to say this story is available in the book 'Skeleton Crew', which is much better value for money. Stephen King is a master of the horror novel, but a lot of his short story collections are highly underrated.

brilliant, 24 Apr 2008
one of my favourite books ever. dead short, but brilliant. if you can get it cheap, it's well worth a read... 5 stars

Pleasantly fresh and chillingly sinister storytelling, 24 Jun 2008
Quite a few months after finishing the excellent Path of Destruction, I had my fair share of scepticism to Karpyshyn's follow-up and conclusion of the tale of Darth Bane.

Going by the ridiculous cover art, and my having too much experience and awareness of lackluster second parts in storytelling, I feared Karpyshyn could not top or even equal the chilling anti-hero we grew up with in Path of Destruction. Oh, was I wrong.

Without going into the specifics, I'll be safe to say that Darth Bane - the novel and the character - never lets go. One of very few Star Wars novels centered around one of the Great Ancient Sith Lords, it continues the stream of insight into the cold-blooded ways of the Sith Karpyshyn began in the first novel. But that is not this tale's only strength.

In addition to a set of well thought out and highly interesting characters, the novel boasts a certain uniqueness, something fresh. The plentiful - but absolutely nowhere near generic - well-written battles and conflicts all keep you reading the book at top speed, and you might end up holding your breath at a certain few epic heights in the story.

While I'm certain people will find minor annoyances to nickpit at, such as the slightly different way Karpyshyn portrays combat use of the Force, my overall impression is that this is the best Star Wars novel I've read for years (out of many, after NJO's conclusion).

It might be I just have a morbid fascination of the dark side and its uses and users, but I do highly recommend this (and the first Darth Bane novel, if you for some reason skipped it) to any Star Wars fan or person interested in dark storytelling.

Darth Bane - Rule Of Two, 14 Jun 2008
Brilliant, Simply Brilliant.
Path Of Destruction was Amazing, and this is an Exelent Sequal.
The Story continues from where the previous finished.

The Story is very compelling and you get a reall good indepth insight into the world of the Sith. I would recmmend this book to any Starwars fan, providing you read the First book too, otherwise there could be some confusion.

5 Stars, Brilliant read. Well Worth the buy.

Return of the Sith, 07 Mar 2008
This is Drew Karpyshyn's second book in the Darth Bane series and the two are quite honestly the best star wars books you can buy.
I have read much of the new jedi order series and others but these books give an insight in the force that not even the films managed.
The characters are some of the best of any canon star wars material and the books are really just a joy to read and will leave you wanting more!

I would strongly urge any star wars fan especially those sick of constant infighting between jedi to buy these books and get a whole new perspective on the force - you will not be dissapointed!

Dark , powerful stuff !, 13 Feb 2008
If you are a lover of light fluffy insubstantial sci-fi then don't read this dark , violent and at times macabre tale of how the the Sith got up & running again . It is a nice easy read as it only took me a couple of evenings to get through and ends as abruptly as it starts . This book keeps you on the edge of your seat and would be the superb basis for a cartoon type movie . The characters have real depth and the imagery that this brilliant writer constructs is pretty powerful . I already look forward to the next novel in this sinister series and won't say more for fearing of ruining the suprise factor of all the dramatic twists and turns that so impressed me when I read it a few days ago . Amazon.co.uk are doing us customers a great favour by selling this at such a superb discount . If you love great sci-fi books then this is for you !

A must for any dedicated Torchwood fan, 24 Oct 2008
This book purports to be research notes into his investigation of Torchwood by a Warren Martyn which Torchwood has prevented from being published and is now locked up in the Torchwood basement as information for employees only.

In fact this book has been compiled by Doctor Who writer Gary Russell (with acknowledgements to other Torchwood writers such as James Moran and Joseph Lidster amongst others) from material from the BBC's Torchwood websites as well as original writing. Rather than being a straight guide to what happened in each episode (Series 1 & 2, and Lost Souls) the book uses fictitious archive notes, personnel forms, photographs, newspaper clippings and staff memos to provide additional background information to each story. For example, we learn that PC Andy is commended for bravery and Jack overrules Torchwood protocols when it comes to Tosh in "Exit Wounds". It would therefore be completely baffling to anyone who has not watched the relevant programme, but it is a real delight to the hardcore fan.

There are many touches of subtle humour throughout, for example, I particularly like "Owen's" and "Ianto's " snarky notes scattered throughout and "Captain Hart's" personnel file. However, Jack does need to work on his limericks. I am pleased that the "Captain's Blogs" from the BBC America site are reproduced as "Ongoing archive files" where we find out some of the enigmatic Jack's thoughts. My favourite line is "Need to requisition a new stopwatch. Old one damaged while moving a desk". And if you don't find that funny you obviously haven't seen "They keep killing Suzie". (Or don't have a sense of humour.)

This book won't give you any insight into what goes into the making of the series, but it does provide entertaining background into the Torchwood world and has obviously been put together with a lot of care and attention to detail. I would therefore thoroughly recommend this to any dedicated fan.

It has been said often enough that baby boomers are a television generation, but High Fidelity reminds that in a way they are the record-album generation as well. This hilarious novel is obsessed with music; Hornby's narrator is an early thirtysomething bloke who runs a London record store. He sells albums recorded the old-fashioned way--on vinyl--and is having a tough time making other transitions as well, specifically to adulthood. The book is in one sense a love story, both sweet and interesting; most entertaining, though, are the hilarious arguments over arcane matters of pop music. --Christine ButteryIt has been said often enough that baby boomers are a television generation, but High Fidelity reminds that in a way they are the record-album generation as well. This hilarious novel is obsessed with music; Hornby's narrator is an early thirtysomething bloke who runs a London record store. He sells albums recorded the old-fashioned way--on vinyl--and is having a tough time making other transitions as well, specifically to adulthood. The book is in one sense a love story, both sweet and interesting; most entertaining, though, are the hilarious arguments over arcane matters of pop music. --Christine Buttery

The Mist in "great Stephen King movie" shock!, 07 Oct 2008
Firstly, shop around and get the "Skeleton Crew" anthology instead, where you'll get several other King short stories as well as this novella - much better value, so a star off for that.
Great King story, classic set-up and scares, and some nice observations about the siege mentality of humankind. Possibly even a link to the "Dark Tower" series - has the Arrowhead Project ripped a hole between dimensions and created a "thinny"?
A second star off for the ending, which just tails off into nothing. Be warned if you plan on watching the movie version (which is fantastic - it's by Frank Darabont, so of course it is!): the ending is radically different and far superior. In fact, it is stunning in its audacity. Kudos to Darabont for refusing studio pressure to change it, and to King for agreeing to the change to his story. Be warned - it is bleak.

Very Readable Horror-Now a Movie., 05 Sep 2008
I read this on a long train ride and it certainly helped to pass the time. People under pressure in a base under seige is always a good bet for an absorbing drama. This 'novella' also shows how people react; bringing out the best and worst in them. Mrs Carmody is a particularly monstrous creation, rivalling anything outside the supermarket. Not sure about the ending though, but you will have to read this to make your own mind up. There is a motion picture of this book now, which I am looking forward to seeing (apparently with a different ending.) A recommended read.

The Mist, 27 Jun 2008
I really enjoyed the book with the people being traped in the Supermarket. I am going to order the movie at Christmas time. It's a bit like the movie Terror in the Mall only instead of water trapping them it is the Mist. The old woman in the book seemed crazy going on about death and saying it's death out there. If the book was excellent I can't wait to see the film when I get it.

I give this book 5 stars!

Good story - Buy Skeleton Crew., 08 Jun 2008
Just a short note to say this story is available in the book 'Skeleton Crew', which is much better value for money. Stephen King is a master of the horror novel, but a lot of his short story collections are highly underrated.

brilliant, 24 Apr 2008
one of my favourite books ever. dead short, but brilliant. if you can get it cheap, it's well worth a read... 5 stars

Pleasantly fresh and chillingly sinister storytelling, 24 Jun 2008
Quite a few months after finishing the excellent Path of Destruction, I had my fair share of scepticism to Karpyshyn's follow-up and conclusion of the tale of Darth Bane.

Going by the ridiculous cover art, and my having too much experience and awareness of lackluster second parts in storytelling, I feared Karpyshyn could not top or even equal the chilling anti-hero we grew up with in Path of Destruction. Oh, was I wrong.

Without going into the specifics, I'll be safe to say that Darth Bane - the novel and the character - never lets go. One of very few Star Wars novels centered around one of the Great Ancient Sith Lords, it continues the stream of insight into the cold-blooded ways of the Sith Karpyshyn began in the first novel. But that is not this tale's only strength.

In addition to a set of well thought out and highly interesting characters, the novel boasts a certain uniqueness, something fresh. The plentiful - but absolutely nowhere near generic - well-written battles and conflicts all keep you reading the book at top speed, and you might end up holding your breath at a certain few epic heights in the story.

While I'm certain people will find minor annoyances to nickpit at, such as the slightly different way Karpyshyn portrays combat use of the Force, my overall impression is that this is the best Star Wars novel I've read for years (out of many, after NJO's conclusion).

It might be I just have a morbid fascination of the dark side and its uses and users, but I do highly recommend this (and the first Darth Bane novel, if you for some reason skipped it) to any Star Wars fan or person interested in dark storytelling.

Darth Bane - Rule Of Two, 14 Jun 2008
Brilliant, Simply Brilliant.
Path Of Destruction was Amazing, and this is an Exelent Sequal.
The Story continues from where the previous finished.

The Story is very compelling and you get a reall good indepth insight into the world of the Sith. I would recmmend this book to any Starwars fan, providing you read the First book too, otherwise there could be some confusion.

5 Stars, Brilliant read. Well Worth the buy.

Return of the Sith, 07 Mar 2008
This is Drew Karpyshyn's second book in the Darth Bane series and the two are quite honestly the best star wars books you can buy.
I have read much of the new jedi order series and others but these books give an insight in the force that not even the films managed.
The characters are some of the best of any canon star wars material and the books are really just a joy to read and will leave you wanting more!

I would strongly urge any star wars fan especially those sick of constant infighting between jedi to buy these books and get a whole new perspective on the force - you will not be dissapointed!

Dark , powerful stuff !, 13 Feb 2008
If you are a lover of light fluffy insubstantial sci-fi then don't read this dark , violent and at times macabre tale of how the the Sith got up & running again . It is a nice easy read as it only took me a couple of evenings to get through and ends as abruptly as it starts . This book keeps you on the edge of your seat and would be the superb basis for a cartoon type movie . The characters have real depth and the imagery that this brilliant writer constructs is pretty powerful . I already look forward to the next novel in this sinister series and won't say more for fearing of ruining the suprise factor of all the dramatic twists and turns that so impressed me when I read it a few days ago . Amazon.co.uk are doing us customers a great favour by selling this at such a superb discount . If you love great sci-fi books then this is for you !

A must for any dedicated Torchwood fan, 24 Oct 2008
This book purports to be research notes into his investigation of Torchwood by a Warren Martyn which Torchwood has prevented from being published and is now locked up in the Torchwood basement as information for employees only.

In fact this book has been compiled by Doctor Who writer Gary Russell (with acknowledgements to other Torchwood writers such as James Moran and Joseph Lidster amongst others) from material from the BBC's Torchwood websites as well as original writing. Rather than being a straight guide to what happened in each episode (Series 1 & 2, and Lost Souls) the book uses fictitious archive notes, personnel forms, photographs, newspaper clippings and staff memos to provide additional background information to each story. For example, we learn that PC Andy is commended for bravery and Jack overrules Torchwood protocols when it comes to Tosh in "Exit Wounds". It would therefore be completely baffling to anyone who has not watched the relevant programme, but it is a real delight to the hardcore fan.

There are many touches of subtle humour throughout, for example, I particularly like "Owen's" and "Ianto's " snarky notes scattered throughout and "Captain Hart's" personnel file. However, Jack does need to work on his limericks. I am pleased that the "Captain's Blogs" from the BBC America site are reproduced as "Ongoing archive files" where we find out some of the enigmatic Jack's thoughts. My favourite line is "Need to requisition a new stopwatch. Old one damaged while moving a desk". And if you don't find that funny you obviously haven't seen "They keep killing Suzie". (Or don't have a sense of humour.)

This book won't give you any insight into what goes into the making of the series, but it does provide entertaining background into the Torchwood world and has obviously been put together with a lot of care and attention to detail. I would therefore thoroughly recommend this to any dedicated fan.



SPOT ON, 14 Aug 2008
Another double-reader. Music ever overtaken your life, or still does? Then this'll all make sense to you. Great fun=>

Laugh out loud, 09 May 2008
I really enjoyed this book. It's quite tragic but funny at the same time. Typical British humour. I couldn't put it down.

If you regularly re-organise your music collection, you'll identify with this novel, 11 Apr 2008
Yes, I'm willing to own up - I was once a female equivalent of Rob, well at least the side of our hero who constantly makes top 5 lists and reorganises their record collection regularly.
Anyone with slight librarianish tendencies will love the comedy in this novel in which the stories of Rob's relationships with the fairer sex are told through his record collection. Rob is no new man, which has led many women to criticize the book, but he's also too intelligent to be just a lad. I loved this novel so much I even bought some of the records mentioned!

Still very faithful, 09 Apr 2008
I read this a couple of times about ten years ago, and it immediately became one of my favourite books: I recall that sharp pang of identification as Rob, the narrator, described his relationships, family and (especially) music. The latter is the thing that stayed with me the longest - indeed, at times it seemed like it was almost a licence for my own feelings about songs, records, films and - let's face it - snobbery.

Rob, Dick and Barry (the latter forever identified in my mind with Jack Black in the film of the novel) don't have opinions, they have lists, and they fight over tiny details in a way that seems unbelievable until you recognise those traits in yourself. The way in which Rob is gradually rescued from this emotional desert by the love of a good woman is heartwarming, and contains some hilarious moments - for example, he's aghast when she says that she sings along with the chorus of "Hi Ho Silver Lining", or goes "Woooh!" at the end of "Brown Sugar" ("there's no greater crime than that, as far as you're concerned, is there?"), or thinks that "Bright Eyes" is different from "Got To Get You Off My Mind" because one song is about rabbits and the other features "a brass band" ("A brass band! A brass band! It's a *horn section*!")

Re-reading it (as light relief in the midst of a much heavier book) after all these years, I enjoyed it all over again. It's Hornby's attention to detail that really makes this work: of course, there's the casual tossing of the names of bands and records into the narrative in a way that expects the reader to understand the references (and the frisson of excitement that's generated when you do), but there's also the way he precisely evokes memories of a time and place just by mentioning the names of defunct stores ("a VG supermarket", "Harlequin Records").

I'd forgotten, however, just how immature Rob was (there's a telling conversation he has on the way to a funeral which displays a breathtaking degree of self-centredness), and some of the technical detail has dated (I imagine that new readers from the download age can't understand why anyone should have so many CDs and records cluttering up their living space), but it's still a brilliant book, and an indirect warning about the dangers of valuing things over people. Or writing about things too much. Like this, for example.


Quite entertaining at times, but not great, 12 Feb 2008
Im not too sure about this novel, its starts off very well, creating an interesting narrative, styled in a unique Hornby way. I just felt that it tailed off markedley as you went on through. I can see why many people like it, but not why they love it. Definately a decent book for a light read or a commute, but for serious reading im not sure it offers enough. In relation to some of his other books, it is much better than "A Long Way Down", but doesnt really hold a candle to the excellent "About a Boy"

The Mist in "great Stephen King movie" shock!, 07 Oct 2008
Firstly, shop around and get the "Skeleton Crew" anthology instead, where you'll get several other King short stories as well as this novella - much better value, so a star off for that.
Great King story, classic set-up and scares, and some nice observations about the siege mentality of humankind. Possibly even a link to the "Dark Tower" series - has the Arrowhead Project ripped a hole between dimensions and created a "thinny"?
A second star off for the ending, which just tails off into nothing. Be warned if you plan on watching the movie version (which is fantastic - it's by Frank Darabont, so of course it is!): the ending is radically different and far superior. In fact, it is stunning in its audacity. Kudos to Darabont for refusing studio pressure to change it, and to King for agreeing to the change to his story. Be warned - it is bleak.

Very Readable Horror-Now a Movie., 05 Sep 2008
I read this on a long train ride and it certainly helped to pass the time. People under pressure in a base under seige is always a good bet for an absorbing drama. This 'novella' also shows how people react; bringing out the best and worst in them. Mrs Carmody is a particularly monstrous creation, rivalling anything outside the supermarket. Not sure about the ending though, but you will have to read this to make your own mind up. There is a motion picture of this book now, which I am looking forward to seeing (apparently with a different ending.) A recommended read.

The Mist, 27 Jun 2008
I really enjoyed the book with the people being traped in the Supermarket. I am going to order the movie at Christmas time. It's a bit like the movie Terror in the Mall only instead of water trapping them it is the Mist. The old woman in the book seemed crazy going on about death and saying it's death out there. If the book was excellent I can't wait to see the film when I get it.

I give this book 5 stars!

Good story - Buy Skeleton Crew., 08 Jun 2008
Just a short note to say this story is available in the book 'Skeleton Crew', which is much better value for money. Stephen King is a master of the horror novel, but a lot of his short story collections are highly underrated.

brilliant, 24 Apr 2008
one of my favourite books ever. dead short, but brilliant. if you can get it cheap, it's well worth a read... 5 stars

Pleasantly fresh and chillingly sinister storytelling, 24 Jun 2008
Quite a few months after finishing the excellent Path of Destruction, I had my fair share of scepticism to Karpyshyn's follow-up and conclusion of the tale of Darth Bane.

Going by the ridiculous cover art, and my having too much experience and awareness of lackluster second parts in storytelling, I feared Karpyshyn could not top or even equal the chilling anti-hero we grew up with in Path of Destruction. Oh, was I wrong.

Without going into the specifics, I'll be safe to say that Darth Bane - the novel and the character - never lets go. One of very few Star Wars novels centered around one of the Great Ancient Sith Lords, it continues the stream of insight into the cold-blooded ways of the Sith Karpyshyn began in the first novel. But that is not this tale's only strength.

In addition to a set of well thought out and highly interesting characters, the novel boasts a certain uniqueness, something fresh. The plentiful - but absolutely nowhere near generic - well-written battles and conflicts all keep you reading the book at top speed, and you might end up holding your breath at a certain few epic heights in the story.

While I'm certain people will find minor annoyances to nickpit at, such as the slightly different way Karpyshyn portrays combat use of the Force, my overall impression is that this is the best Star Wars novel I've read for years (out of many, after NJO's conclusion).

It might be I just have a morbid fascination of the dark side and its uses and users, but I do highly recommend this (and the first Darth Bane novel, if you for some reason skipped it) to any Star Wars fan or person interested in dark storytelling.

Darth Bane - Rule Of Two, 14 Jun 2008
Brilliant, Simply Brilliant.
Path Of Destruction was Amazing, and this is an Exelent Sequal.
The Story continues from where the previous finished.

The Story is very compelling and you get a reall good indepth insight into the world of the Sith. I would recmmend this book to any Starwars fan, providing you read the First book too, otherwise there could be some confusion.

5 Stars, Brilliant read. Well Worth the buy.

Return of the Sith, 07 Mar 2008
This is Drew Karpyshyn's second book in the Darth Bane series and the two are quite honestly the best star wars books you can buy.
I have read much of the new jedi order series and others but these books give an insight in the force that not even the films managed.
The characters are some of the best of any canon star wars material and the books are really just a joy to read and will leave you wanting more!

I would strongly urge any star wars fan especially those sick of constant infighting between jedi to buy these books and get a whole new perspective on the force - you will not be dissapointed!

Dark , powerful stuff !, 13 Feb 2008
If you are a lover of light fluffy insubstantial sci-fi then don't read this dark , violent and at times macabre tale of how the the Sith got up & running again . It is a nice easy read as it only took me a couple of evenings to get through and ends as abruptly as it starts . This book keeps you on the edge of your seat and would be the superb basis for a cartoon type movie . The characters have real depth and the imagery that this brilliant writer constructs is pretty powerful . I already look forward to the next novel in this sinister series and won't say more for fearing of ruining the suprise factor of all the dramatic twists and turns that so impressed me when I read it a few days ago . Amazon.co.uk are doing us customers a great favour by selling this at such a superb discount . If you love great sci-fi books then this is for you !

A must for any dedicated Torchwood fan, 24 Oct 2008
This book purports to be research notes into his investigation of Torchwood by a Warren Martyn which Torchwood has prevented from being published and is now locked up in the Torchwood basement as information for employees only.

In fact this book has been compiled by Doctor Who writer Gary Russell (with acknowledgements to other Torchwood writers such as James Moran and Joseph Lidster amongst others) from material from the BBC's Torchwood websites as well as original writing. Rather than being a straight guide to what happened in each episode (Series 1 & 2, and Lost Souls) the book uses fictitious archive notes, personnel forms, photographs, newspaper clippings and staff memos to provide additional background information to each story. For example, we learn that PC Andy is commended for bravery and Jack overrules Torchwood protocols when it comes to Tosh in "Exit Wounds". It would therefore be completely baffling to anyone who has not watched the relevant programme, but it is a real delight to the hardcore fan.

There are many touches of subtle humour throughout, for example, I particularly like "Owen's" and "Ianto's " snarky notes scattered throughout and "Captain Hart's" personnel file. However, Jack does need to work on his limericks. I am pleased that the "Captain's Blogs" from the BBC America site are reproduced as "Ongoing archive files" where we find out some of the enigmatic Jack's thoughts. My favourite line is "Need to requisition a new stopwatch. Old one damaged while moving a desk". And if you don't find that funny you obviously haven't seen "They keep killing Suzie". (Or don't have a sense of humour.)

This book won't give you any insight into what goes into the making of the series, but it does provide entertaining background into the Torchwood world and has obviously been put together with a lot of care and attention to detail. I would therefore thoroughly recommend this to any dedicated fan.



SPOT ON, 14 Aug 2008
Another double-reader. Music ever overtaken your life, or still does? Then this'll all make sense to you. Great fun=>

Laugh out loud, 09 May 2008
I really enjoyed this book. It's quite tragic but funny at the same time. Typical British humour. I couldn't put it down.

If you regularly re-organise your music collection, you'll identify with this novel, 11 Apr 2008
Yes, I'm willing to own up - I was once a female equivalent of Rob, well at least the side of our hero who constantly makes top 5 lists and reorganises their record collection regularly.
Anyone with slight librarianish tendencies will love the comedy in this novel in which the stories of Rob's relationships with the fairer sex are told through his record collection. Rob is no new man, which has led many women to criticize the book, but he's also too intelligent to be just a lad. I loved this novel so much I even bought some of the records mentioned!

Still very faithful, 09 Apr 2008
I read this a couple of times about ten years ago, and it immediately became one of my favourite books: I recall that sharp pang of identification as Rob, the narrator, described his relationships, family and (especially) music. The latter is the thing that stayed with me the longest - indeed, at times it seemed like it was almost a licence for my own feelings about songs, records, films and - let's face it - snobbery.

Rob, Dick and Barry (the latter forever identified in my mind with Jack Black in the film of the novel) don't have opinions, they have lists, and they fight over tiny details in a way that seems unbelievable until you recognise those traits in yourself. The way in which Rob is gradually rescued from this emotional desert by the love of a good woman is heartwarming, and contains some hilarious moments - for example, he's aghast when she says that she sings along with the chorus of "Hi Ho Silver Lining", or goes "Woooh!" at the end of "Brown Sugar" ("there's no greater crime than that, as far as you're concerned, is there?"), or thinks that "Bright Eyes" is different from "Got To Get You Off My Mind" because one song is about rabbits and the other features "a brass band" ("A brass band! A brass band! It's a *horn section*!")

Re-reading it (as light relief in the midst of a much heavier book) after all these years, I enjoyed it all over again. It's Hornby's attention to detail that really makes this work: of course, there's the casual tossing of the names of bands and records into the narrative in a way that expects the reader to understand the references (and the frisson of excitement that's generated when you do), but there's also the way he precisely evokes memories of a time and place just by mentioning the names of defunct stores ("a VG supermarket", "Harlequin Records").

I'd forgotten, however, just how immature Rob was (there's a telling conversation he has on the way to a funeral which displays a breathtaking degree of self-centredness), and some of the technical detail has dated (I imagine that new readers from the download age can't understand why anyone should have so many CDs and records cluttering up their living space), but it's still a brilliant book, and an indirect warning about the dangers of valuing things over people. Or writing about things too much. Like this, for example.


Quite entertaining at times, but not great, 12 Feb 2008
Im not too sure about this novel, its starts off very well, creating an interesting narrative, styled in a unique Hornby way. I just felt that it tailed off markedley as you went on through. I can see why many people like it, but not why they love it. Definately a decent book for a light read or a commute, but for serious reading im not sure it offers enough. In relation to some of his other books, it is much better than "A Long Way Down", but doesnt really hold a candle to the excellent "About a Boy"

Poor and disappointing, 28 Jun 2008
Having been collecting comics for 25 years and owning thousands I consider myself to have a wide variety of examples of what makes a good strip. This book does not constitute one of these examples, as although the art is good it is the poor content that brings me to this conclusion.

The most annoying thing for me was the style of the letterer for the whole book, everything is in caps SO IT LOOKS LIKE EVERYONE IS SHOUTING ALL THE TIME. Poor choice not to use lowercase at all and just think of an annoying board post or email you have ever received from someone who types in caps. Large sections of Last Voyage of the Infinite Succor and Breaking Quarantine don't have any dialogue anyway, so that doesn't apply there.

Last Voyage is the longest story and I was confused by the art and it just passed me by. Armor Testing ended before it began and Breaking Quarantine is irritating by its complete lack of dialogue, just consisting of strip and despite saying it fills in the blank of Johnson's escape from the Flood, it doesn't. It looks like it got printed before the SHOUTING LETTERER got a chance to mangle it and as non-dialogue strip is uncommon it always looks strange anyway. The only story I did enjoy was Second Sunrise Over New Mombasa, but as with three of the four strips it is far too short and rushed.

That is the major flaw with this `collection', they seem to be rushed, short filler stories where it could have worked so much better as one full length novel especially as it is padded out at the end with 26 pages of gallery pictures, nearly twice as many pages as three of the four strips occupy. Of 128 pages only 85 pages are strip.

If you're a Halo extremist then I suppose it would be part of owning a collection, but even with my love of the games and extended universe I could have lived without ever reading or owning this which is a shame as I was looking forward to getting it. Ultimately it is an attempt at a pretentious coffee table book complete with pompous and arty explanations of what the creators were trying to convey. Again, shame they didn't invest the pages used for that in strip but I suppose it saved on printing costs.

If you have £10.99 to spend on Halo books then I would suggest you forget this and buy the text novels, the first three give an infinitely more enjoyable background story to the fall of Reach, what happened on Halo outside of the game storyline and the Human fight back of First Strike than this ever could. They should have left it to the academics to write theses on the cultural impact of Halo and kept the graphic novel for reading enjoyment.


nice but shallow., 06 Mar 2008
At the price you can get it here, there is no excuse not to own this book if you're even remotely interested in Halo, Comics or interesting artwork.

All of the comics are densely illustrated with strong plots and good readability. The extra stand alone artworks in the back are also excellent.

But its by no means perfect. None of the main comics are particularly long and they all end rather abruptly.
Even the longest, Last voyage of the Infinite Soccur, feels as though its was heavily cut down. The ending is very anti climactic. There is very little effort to explore the character of Half Jaw and his unit. Nor is there much development of the flood, which is supposed to be the point of the whole story.

Similarly the explanations of each story is quite brief. The entire book feels very much like it was rushed.

But what is there is all excellent.

Brilliant!, 14 Dec 2007
A brilliant book to own if you love or are interested in the Halo Trilogy!

Marvel publishings dida great job on this book! They got some great artists and some great writters to work on the various stories within this book!
Some superb artwork, which is different in each story, as each story is different and has a different artist and writter!

Plus, at the back, there is a fantastic picture gallery with some top notch Halo still life action pictures!

Well worth picking up, a must have for Halo fanatics!

Rob

Diverse stories of a large galaxy, 19 Apr 2007
At first when I picked this up it was in a sealed packet and the cover has the Master Chief on the front, I was expecting stories of him and his adventures. But when I started it I realised it wasn't.

The book is essentially four different comics, of different stories by different artists and writers. I enjoyed it, both from the stories and the art.

Each tale is of someone in the setting of Halo. The stories fill in some background that we never knew from the games, this was a positive thing for me. The art styles all are very different, I had a big happiness at the Slaine-esque art that reminded me of being 10.

After the comics is a short discussion from the art team member incharge of making the graphic novel. She describes her passions and the processes in making the graphic novel. It goes into some depth and gives the making of problems and solutions.

If you are into finding out about how others have designed and developed ideas, I reccomend the graphic novel purely for this. If you have an interest in the Halo story it is also a big plus.

REALLY REALLY S**T!, 01 Aug 2006
Lets get one thing clear, i LOVE HALO. i love the game, i love the books (buy them their better) and i love the whole storyline. BUT when i brought this book or graphic novel as they like to call it, i was so ticked off about how much i spent on so little. the layouts good and feels nice and solid it felt but that was the only good thing, and lets be honest that sucked. I had waited for this book since the beginning of the year and man was i disapponited. There are 4 storys, 1 of them if pretty good and is actually like a comic, the second is just about the suit that master chief wears (yey), teh third is about how johnson escaped the flood but only in the 'weapon cache' part not the rest of the story and the fourth which i thought would be amazing was the worst. that layout of it sucked, the colours used sucked and the storyline for it, guess what, it sucked too!
when i brought this to be honest i did have to higher hopes of it being good and about Master Chief's fight against the convenent, but you only see the big man once and thats at the very beginning. i seriously think that if your going to buy this try to get it cheap, like here or ebay.

Fever Pitch is both an autobiography and a footballing bible rolled into one. Nick Hornby pinpoints 1968 as his formative year--the year he turned 11, the year his parents separated, and the year his father first took him to watch Arsenal play. The author quickly moved "way beyond fandom" into an extreme obsession that has dominated his life, loves, and relationships. His father had initially hoped that Saturday afternoon matches would draw the two closer together, but instead Hornby became completely besotted with the game at the expense of any conversation: "Football may have provided us with a new medium through which we could communicate, but that was not to say that we used it, or what we chose to say was necessarily positive." Girlfriends also played second fiddle to one ball and 11 men. He fantasises that even if a girlfriend "went into labour at an impossible moment" he would not be able to help out until after the final whistle. Fever Pitch is not a typical memoir--there are no chapters, just a series of match reports falling into three time frames (childhood, young adulthood, manhood). While watching the May 2, 1972, Reading v Arsenal match, it became embarrassingly obvious to the then 15-year-old that his white, suburban, middle-class roots made him a wimp with no sense of identity: "Yorkshire men, Lancastrians, Scots, the Irish, blacks, the rich, the poor, even Americans and Australians have something they can sit in pubs and bars and weep about." But a boy from Maidenhead could only dream of coming from a place with "its own tube station and West Indian community and terrible, insoluble social problems." Fever Pitch reveals the very special intricacies of British football, which readers new to the game will find astonishing, and which Hornby presents with remarkable humour and honesty--the "unique" chants sung at matches, the cold rain- soaked terraces, giant cans of warm beer, the trains known as football specials carrying fans to and from matches in prison-like conditions, bottles smashing on the tracks, thousands of police officers waiting in anticipation for the cargo of hooligans. The sport and one team in particular have crept into every aspect of Hornby's life--making him see the world through Arsenal-tinted spectacles. --Naomi GesingerFever Pitch is both an autobiography and a footballing bible rolled into one. Nick Hornby pinpoints 1968 as his formative year--the year he turned 11, the year his parents separated, and the year his father first took him to watch Arsenal play. The author quickly moved "way beyond fandom" into an extreme obsession that has dominated his life, loves, and relationships. His father had initially hoped that Saturday afternoon matches would draw the two closer together, but instead Hornby became completely besotted with the game at the expense of any conversation: "Football may have provided us with a new medium through which we could communicate, but that was not to say that we used it, or what we chose to say was necessarily positive." Girlfriends also played second fiddle to one ball and 11 men. He fantasises that even if a girlfriend "went into labour at an impossible moment" he would not be able to help out until after the final whistle. Fever Pitch is not a typical memoir--there are no chapters, just a series of match reports falling into three time frames (childhood, young adulthood, manhood). While watching the May 2, 1972, Reading v Arsenal match, it became embarrassingly obvious to the then 15-year-old that his white, suburban, middle-class roots made him a wimp with no sense of identity: "Yorkshire men, Lancastrians, Scots, the Irish, blacks, the rich, the poor, even Americans and Australians have something they can sit in pubs and bars and weep about." But a boy from Maidenhead could only dream of coming from a place with "its own tube station and West Indian community and terrible, insoluble social problems." Fever Pitch reveals the very special intricacies of British football, which readers new to the game will find astonishing, and which Hornby presents with remarkable humour and honesty--the "unique" chants sung at matches, the cold rain- soaked terraces, giant cans of warm beer, the trains known as football specials carrying fans to and from matches in prison-like conditions, bottles smashing on the tracks, thousands of police officers waiting in anticipation for the cargo of hooligans. The sport and one team in particular have crept into every aspect of Hornby's life--making him see the world through Arsenal-tinted spectacles. --Naomi Gesinger

The Mist in "great Stephen King movie" shock!, 07 Oct 2008
Firstly, shop around and get the "Skeleton Crew" anthology instead, where you'll get several other King short stories as well as this novella - much better value, so a star off for that.
Great King story, classic set-up and scares, and some nice observations about the siege mentality of humankind. Possibly even a link to the "Dark Tower" series - has the Arrowhead Project ripped a hole between dimensions and created a "thinny"?
A second star off for the ending, which just tails off into nothing. Be warned if you plan on watching the movie version (which is fantastic - it's by Frank Darabont, so of course it is!): the ending is radically different and far superior. In fact, it is stunning in its audacity. Kudos to Darabont for refusing studio pressure to change it, and to King for agreeing to the change to his story. Be warned - it is bleak.

Very Readable Horror-Now a Movie., 05 Sep 2008
I read this on a long train ride and it certainly helped to pass the time. People under pressure in a base under seige is always a good bet for an absorbing drama. This 'novella' also shows how people react; bringing out the best and worst in them. Mrs Carmody is a particularly monstrous creation, rivalling anything outside the supermarket. Not sure about the ending though, but you will have to read this to make your own mind up. There is a motion picture of this book now, which I am looking forward to seeing (apparently with a different ending.) A recommended read.

The Mist, 27 Jun 2008
I really enjoyed the book with the people being traped in the Supermarket. I am going to order the movie at Christmas time. It's a bit like the movie Terror in the Mall only instead of water trapping them it is the Mist. The old woman in the book seemed crazy going on about death and saying it's death out there. If the book was excellent I can't wait to see the film when I get it.

I give this book 5 stars!

Good story - Buy Skeleton Crew., 08 Jun 2008
Just a short note to say this story is available in the book 'Skeleton Crew', which is much better value for money. Stephen King is a master of the horror novel, but a lot of his short story collections are highly underrated.

brilliant, 24 Apr 2008
one of my favourite books ever. dead short, but brilliant. if you can get it cheap, it's well worth a read... 5 stars

Pleasantly fresh and chillingly sinister storytelling, 24 Jun 2008
Quite a few months after finishing the excellent Path of Destruction, I had my fair share of scepticism to Karpyshyn's follow-up and conclusion of the tale of Darth Bane.

Going by the ridiculous cover art, and my having too much experience and awareness of lackluster second parts in storytelling, I feared Karpyshyn could not top or even equal the chilling anti-hero we grew up with in Path of Destruction. Oh, was I wrong.

Without going into the specifics, I'll be safe to say that Darth Bane - the novel and the character - never lets go. One of very few Star Wars novels centered around one of the Great Ancient Sith Lords, it continues the stream of insight into the cold-blooded ways of the Sith Karpyshyn began in the first novel. But that is not this tale's only strength.

In addition to a set of well thought out and highly interesting characters, the novel boasts a certain uniqueness, something fresh. The plentiful - but absolutely nowhere near generic - well-written battles and conflicts all keep you reading the book at top speed, and you might end up holding your breath at a certain few epic heights in the story.

While I'm certain people will find minor annoyances to nickpit at, such as the slightly different way Karpyshyn portrays combat use of the Force, my overall impression is that this is the best Star Wars novel I've read for years (out of many, after NJO's conclusion).

It might be I just have a morbid fascination of the dark side and its uses and users, but I do highly recommend this (and the first Darth Bane novel, if you for some reason skipped it) to any Star Wars fan or person interested in dark storytelling.

Darth Bane - Rule Of Two, 14 Jun 2008
Brilliant, Simply Brilliant.
Path Of Destruction was Amazing, and this is an Exelent Sequal.
The Story continues from where the previous finished.

The Story is very compelling and you get a reall good indepth insight into the world of the Sith. I would recmmend this book to any Starwars fan, providing you read the First book too, otherwise there could be some confusion.

5 Stars, Brilliant read. Well Worth the buy.

Return of the Sith, 07 Mar 2008
This is Drew Karpyshyn's second book in the Darth Bane series and the two are quite honestly the best star wars books you can buy.
I have read much of the new jedi order series and others but these books give an insight in the force that not even the films managed.
The characters are some of the best of any canon star wars material and the books are really just a joy to read and will leave you wanting more!

I would strongly urge any star wars fan especially those sick of constant infighting between jedi to buy these books and get a whole new perspective on the force - you will not be dissapointed!

Dark , powerful stuff !, 13 Feb 2008
If you are a lover of light fluffy insubstantial sci-fi then don't read this dark , violent and at times macabre tale of how the the Sith got up & running again . It is a nice easy read as it only took me a couple of evenings to get through and ends as abruptly as it starts . This book keeps you on the edge of your seat and would be the superb basis for a cartoon type movie . The characters have real depth and the imagery that this brilliant writer constructs is pretty powerful . I already look forward to the next novel in this sinister series and won't say more for fearing of ruining the suprise factor of all the dramatic twists and turns that so impressed me when I read it a few days ago . Amazon.co.uk are doing us customers a great favour by selling this at such a superb discount . If you love great sci-fi books then this is for you !

A must for any dedicated Torchwood fan, 24 Oct 2008
This book purports to be research notes into his investigation of Torchwood by a Warren Martyn which Torchwood has prevented from being published and is now locked up in the Torchwood basement as information for employees only.

In fact this book has been compiled by Doctor Who writer Gary Russell (with acknowledgements to other Torchwood writers such as James Moran and Joseph Lidster amongst others) from material from the BBC's Torchwood websites as well as original writing. Rather than being a straight guide to what happened in each episode (Series 1 & 2, and Lost Souls) the book uses fictitious archive notes, personnel forms, photographs, newspaper clippings and staff memos to provide additional background information to each story. For example, we learn that PC Andy is commended for bravery and Jack overrules Torchwood protocols when it comes to Tosh in "Exit Wounds". It would therefore be completely baffling to anyone who has not watched the relevant programme, but it is a real delight to the hardcore fan.

There are many touches of subtle humour throughout, for example, I particularly like "Owen's" and "Ianto's " snarky notes scattered throughout and "Captain Hart's" personnel file. However, Jack does need to work on his limericks. I am pleased that the "Captain's Blogs" from the BBC America site are reproduced as "Ongoing archive files" where we find out some of the enigmatic Jack's thoughts. My favourite line is "Need to requisition a new stopwatch. Old one damaged while moving a desk". And if you don't find that funny you obviously haven't seen "They keep killing Suzie". (Or don't have a sense of humour.)

This book won't give you any insight into what goes into the making of the series, but it does provide entertaining background into the Torchwood world and has obviously been put together with a lot of care and attention to detail. I would therefore thoroughly recommend this to any dedicated fan.



SPOT ON, 14 Aug 2008
Another double-reader. Music ever overtaken your life, or still does? Then this'll all make sense to you. Great fun=>

Laugh out loud, 09 May 2008
I really enjoyed this book. It's quite tragic but funny at the same time. Typical British humour. I couldn't put it down.

If you regularly re-organise your music collection, you'll identify with this novel, 11 Apr 2008
Yes, I'm willing to own up - I was once a female equivalent of Rob, well at least the side of our hero who constantly makes top 5 lists and reorganises their record collection regularly.
Anyone with slight librarianish tendencies will love the comedy in this novel in which the stories of Rob's relationships with the fairer sex are told through his record collection. Rob is no new man, which has led many women to criticize the book, but he's also too intelligent to be just a lad. I loved this novel so much I even bought some of the records mentioned!

Still very faithful, 09 Apr 2008
I read this a couple of times about ten years ago, and it immediately became one of my favourite books: I recall that sharp pang of identification as Rob, the narrator, described his relationships, family and (especially) music. The latter is the thing that stayed with me the longest - indeed, at times it seemed like it was almost a licence for my own feelings about songs, records, films and - let's face it - snobbery.

Rob, Dick and Barry (the latter forever identified in my mind with Jack Black in the film of the novel) don't have opinions, they have lists, and they fight over tiny details in a way that seems unbelievable until you recognise those traits in yourself. The way in which Rob is gradually rescued from this emotional desert by the love of a good woman is heartwarming, and contains some hilarious moments - for example, he's aghast when she says that she sings along with the chorus of "Hi Ho Silver Lining", or goes "Woooh!" at the end of "Brown Sugar" ("there's no greater crime than that, as far as you're concerned, is there?"), or thinks that "Bright Eyes" is different from "Got To Get You Off My Mind" because one song is about rabbits and the other features "a brass band" ("A brass band! A brass band! It's a *horn section*!")

Re-reading it (as light relief in the midst of a much heavier book) after all these years, I enjoyed it all over again. It's Hornby's attention to detail that really makes this work: of course, there's the casual tossing of the names of bands and records into the narrative in a way that expects the reader to understand the references (and the frisson of excitement that's generated when you do), but there's also the way he precisely evokes memories of a time and place just by mentioning the names of defunct stores ("a VG supermarket", "Harlequin Records").

I'd forgotten, however, just how immature Rob was (there's a telling conversation he has on the way to a funeral which displays a breathtaking degree of self-centredness), and some of the technical detail has dated (I imagine that new readers from the download age can't understand why anyone should have so many CDs and records cluttering up their living space), but it's still a brilliant book, and an indirect warning about the dangers of valuing things over people. Or writing about things too much. Like this, for example.


Quite entertaining at times, but not great, 12 Feb 2008
Im not too sure about this novel, its starts off very well, creating an interesting narrative, styled in a unique Hornby way. I just felt that it tailed off markedley as you went on through. I can see why many people like it, but not why they love it. Definately a decent book for a light read or a commute, but for serious reading im not sure it offers enough. In relation to some of his other books, it is much better than "A Long Way Down", but doesnt really hold a candle to the excellent "About a Boy"

Poor and disappointing, 28 Jun 2008
Having been collecting comics for 25 years and owning thousands I consider myself to have a wide variety of examples of what makes a good strip. This book does not constitute one of these examples, as although the art is good it is the poor content that brings me to this conclusion.

The most annoying thing for me was the style of the letterer for the whole book, everything is in caps SO IT LOOKS LIKE EVERYONE IS SHOUTING ALL THE TIME. Poor choice not to use lowercase at all and just think of an annoying board post or email you have ever received from someone who types in caps. Large sections of Last Voyage of the Infinite Succor and Breaking Quarantine don't have any dialogue anyway, so that doesn't apply there.

Last Voyage is the longest story and I was confused by the art and it just passed me by. Armor Testing ended before it began and Breaking Quarantine is irritating by its complete lack of dialogue, just consisting of strip and despite saying it fills in the blank of Johnson's escape from the Flood, it doesn't. It looks like it got printed before the SHOUTING LETTERER got a chance to mangle it and as non-dialogue strip is uncommon it always looks strange anyway. The only story I did enjoy was Second Sunrise Over New Mombasa, but as with three of the four strips it is far too short and rushed.

That is the major flaw with this `collection', they seem to be rushed, short filler stories where it could have worked so much better as one full length novel especially as it is padded out at the end with 26 pages of gallery pictures, nearly twice as many pages as three of the four strips occupy. Of 128 pages only 85 pages are strip.

If you're a Halo extremist then I suppose it would be part of owning a collection, but even with my love of the games and extended universe I could have lived without ever reading or owning this which is a shame as I was looking forward to getting it. Ultimately it is an attempt at a pretentious coffee table book complete with pompous and arty explanations of what the creators were trying to convey. Again, shame they didn't invest the pages used for that in strip but I suppose it saved on printing costs.

If you have £10.99 to spend on Halo books then I would suggest you forget this and buy the text novels, the first three give an infinitely more enjoyable background story to the fall of Reach, what happened on Halo outside of the game storyline and the Human fight back of First Strike than this ever could. They should have left it to the academics to write theses on the cultural impact of Halo and kept the graphic novel for reading enjoyment.


nice but shallow., 06 Mar 2008
At the price you can get it here, there is no excuse not to own this book if you're even remotely interested in Halo, Comics or interesting artwork.

All of the comics are densely illustrated with strong plots and good readability. The extra stand alone artworks in the back are also excellent.

But its by no means perfect. None of the main comics are particularly long and they all end rather abruptly.
Even the longest, Last voyage of the Infinite Soccur, feels as though its was heavily cut down. The ending is very anti climactic. There is very little effort to explore the character of Half Jaw and his unit. Nor is there much development of the flood, which is supposed to be the point of the whole story.

Similarly the explanations of each story is quite brief. The entire book feels very much like it was rushed.

But what is there is all excellent.

Brilliant!, 14 Dec 2007
A brilliant book to own if you love or are interested in the Halo Trilogy!

Marvel publishings dida great job on this book! They got some great artists and some great writters to work on the various stories within this book!
Some superb artwork, which is different in each story, as each story is different and has a different artist and writter!

Plus, at the back, there is a fantastic picture gallery with some top notch Halo still life action pictures!

Well worth picking up, a must have for Halo fanatics!

Rob

Diverse stories of a large galaxy, 19 Apr 2007
At first when I picked this up it was in a sealed packet and the cover has the Master Chief on the front, I was expecting stories of him and his adventures. But when I started it I realised it wasn't.

The book is essentially four different comics, of different stories by different artists and writers. I enjoyed it, both from the stories and the art.

Each tale is of someone in the setting of Halo. The stories fill in some background that we never knew from the games, this was a positive thing for me. The art styles all are very different, I had a big happiness at the Slaine-esque art that reminded me of being 10.

After the comics is a short discussion from the art team member incharge of making the graphic novel. She describes her passions and the processes in making the graphic novel. It goes into some depth and gives the making of problems and solutions.

If you are into finding out about how others have designed and developed ideas, I reccomend the graphic novel purely for this. If you have an interest in the Halo story it is also a big plus.

REALLY REALLY S**T!, 01 Aug 2006
Lets get one thing clear, i LOVE HALO. i love the game, i love the books (buy them their better) and i love the whole storyline. BUT when i brought this book or graphic novel as they like to call it, i was so ticked off about how much i spent on so little. the layouts good and feels nice and solid it felt but that was the only good thing, and lets be honest that sucked. I had waited for this book since the beginning of the year and man was i disapponited. There are 4 storys, 1 of them if pretty good and is actually like a comic, the second is just about the suit that master chief wears (yey), teh third is about how johnson escaped the flood but only in the 'weapon cache' part not the rest of the story and the fourth which i thought would be amazing was the worst. that layout of it sucked, the colours used sucked and the storyline for it, guess what, it sucked too!
when i brought this to be honest i did have to higher hopes of it being good and about Master Chief's fight against the convenent, but you only see the big man once and thats at the very beginning. i seriously think that if your going to buy this try to get it cheap, like here or ebay.

Might be the best book ever dealing with football, 23 Jul 2008
Nick Hornby's warm autobiographical book deals with his life as a football fan from 1968 (when he was a teenager) until 1992, especifically as he supported his beloved Arsenal during that time. There's some good insights about football culture (for a true football fan, football is not really an entertainment, a concept that is probably hard to understand in the US, where sports are just a part of the entertainment business) as well as football tactics (there are few good passers in the sports, he says, as hard as this might be to believe to outsiders; Liam Brady, one of his favorite players, was that rare player, a great passer). Each of the chapters (so to call them) deals with a particular football match that he remembers during that period. And along football, he also makes comments on his relationships, be it with his family or with girlfriends. What Hornby tells is the story of English football in his last throes, a time when hooliganism ruled, but when it also was a genuine, integral pastime of the English people. When the Premiere League was established (in 1992, the year this book ends), and the megamoney and the huge tv contracts came along, and some clubs (like, say, Arsenal) did not put in the field a single English player, it became more of a commercial business and less of a cultural phenomenon. And while I like football, it's hard not to come out from reading this book with the impression that being a football fan at the level Hornby was is not a colossal waste of time.

Unique and interesting., 02 Jan 2008
'Fever Pitch' is an interesting and captivating book, I recently read it and would read it again. I am not a football fan but came closer to understand what it feels like to be one, which was very insightful - you needn't be into football to enjoy this book because football is only the backdrop to discussing relationships and issues in life.

Disappointing, 22 Aug 2006
I finally got found to reading this book recently and I wasn't that impressed. Although Hornby sums up a lot of the experiences of being a football fan well, something doesn't work; he never really gets to the bottom of the pain of defeat (and particularly relegation). OK so he's an Arsenal fan and so he's not experienced this, but this is still a book written resolutely from a successful, big club perspective. This, for me, is the main drawback with the impact of this book; it is only really 'true' to the experiences of a very few fans - those of the elite 6 or 7 perenially successful English football teams. But because its influence was so broad it has been adopted as the standard 'excuse book' for newcomer, fairweather fans.

Fickle football fan, 24 Mar 2006
To be honest, the first few pages had me hooked. When Hornby talks about his childhood support of The Arsenal he described exactly my feelings when I first supported my local club.
From then on I was looking forward to the definitive account of what it really means to be a devoted football fan. From then on I was most awfully disappointed.
The turning point comes quite early on, when he moves from London to Cambridge to take his degree. Having established that he is (in his own eyes)Arsenal's most devoted fan, I'm sure every real fan will be as disgusted as me when he then "Became a Cambridge United fan for three years". I'm afraid, for me at least, all credibility was lost at that point and although I finished the whole book, my feeling was "how can this fickle so-and-so tell ME what I should do to be a true football fan.
Sorry Nick, your book is Unibond League division two.

THE EMPEROR'S NEW CLOTHES, 27 Sep 2005
I read this book when it came out and I've recently re-read it. Although many things benefit from hindsight, this isn't one of them. The best thing I can say about it is that it is competently written.If the level of passion for football was the level of passion conveyed, then maybe Nick Hornby would have been better off taking up knitting! Perhaps that's what comes of being a Glory Boy Nick. Hornby's natural talents as a writer, are also revealed as being very limited. He manages to get none of the wonderful flow that sports writers like Frank Keating, for example, achieve so effortlessly. This is to people who are passionate about football and writing, what instant capuccino is to those passionate about the divine bean.

The Mist in "great Stephen King movie" shock!, 07 Oct 2008
Firstly, shop around and get the "Skeleton Crew" anthology instead, where you'll get several other King short stories as well as this novella - much better value, so a star off for that.
Great King story, classic set-up and scares, and some nice observations about the siege mentality of humankind. Possibly even a link to the "Dark Tower" series - has the Arrowhead Project ripped a hole between dimensions and created a "thinny"?
A second star off for the ending, which just tails off into nothing. Be warned if you plan on watching the movie version (which is fantastic - it's by Frank Darabont, so of course it is!): the ending is radically different and far superior. In fact, it is stunning in its audacity. Kudos to Darabont for refusing studio pressure to change it, and to King for agreeing to the change to his story. Be warned - it is bleak.

Very Readable Horror-Now a Movie., 05 Sep 2008
I read this on a long train ride and it certainly helped to pass the time. People under pressure in a base under seige is always a good bet for an absorbing drama. This 'novella' also shows how people react; bringing out the best and worst in them. Mrs Carmody is a particularly monstrous creation, rivalling anything outside the supermarket. Not sure about the ending though, but you will have to read this to make your own mind up. There is a motion picture of this book now, which I am looking forward to seeing (apparently with a different ending.) A recommended read.

The Mist, 27 Jun 2008
I really enjoyed the book with the people being traped in the Supermarket. I am going to order the movie at Christmas time. It's a bit like the movie Terror in the Mall only instead of water trapping them it is the Mist. The old woman in the book seemed crazy going on about death and saying it's death out there. If the book was excellent I can't wait to see the film when I get it.

I give this book 5 stars!

Good story - Buy Skeleton Crew., 08 Jun 2008
Just a short note to say this story is available in the book 'Skeleton Crew', which is much better value for money. Stephen King is a master of the horror novel, but a lot of his short story collections are highly underrated.

brilliant, 24 Apr 2008
one of my favourite books ever. dead short, but brilliant. if you can get it cheap, it's well worth a read... 5 stars

Pleasantly fresh and chillingly sinister storytelling, 24 Jun 2008
Quite a few months after finishing the excellent Path of Destruction, I had my fair share of scepticism to Karpyshyn's follow-up and conclusion of the tale of Darth Bane.

Going by the ridiculous cover art, and my having too much experience and awareness of lackluster second parts in storytelling, I feared Karpyshyn could not top or even equal the chilling anti-hero we grew up with in Path of Destruction. Oh, was I wrong.

Without going into the specifics, I'll be safe to say that Darth Bane - the novel and the character - never lets go. One of very few Star Wars novels centered around one of the Great Ancient Sith Lords, it continues the stream of insight into the cold-blooded ways of the Sith Karpyshyn began in the first novel. But that is not this tale's only strength.

In addition to a set of well thought out and highly interesting characters, the novel boasts a certain uniqueness, something fresh. The plentiful - but absolutely nowhere near generic - well-written battles and conflicts all keep you reading the book at top speed, and you might end up holding your breath at a certain few epic heights in the story.

While I'm certain people will find minor annoyances to nickpit at, such as the slightly different way Karpyshyn portrays combat use of the Force, my overall impression is that this is the best Star Wars novel I've read for years (out of many, after NJO's conclusion).

It might be I just have a morbid fascination of the dark side and its uses and users, but I do highly recommend this (and the first Darth Bane novel, if you for some reason skipped it) to any Star Wars fan or person interested in dark storytelling.

Darth Bane - Rule Of Two, 14 Jun 2008
Brilliant, Simply Brilliant.
Path Of Destruction was Amazing, and this is an Exelent Sequal.
The Story continues from where the previous finished.

The Story is very compelling and you get a reall good indepth insight into the world of the Sith. I would recmmend this book to any Starwars fan, providing you read the First book too, otherwise there could be some confusion.

5 Stars, Brilliant read. Well Worth the buy.

Return of the Sith, 07 Mar 2008
This is Drew Karpyshyn's second book in the Darth Bane series and the two are quite honestly the best star wars books you can buy.
I have read much of the new jedi order series and others but these books give an insight in the force that not even the films managed.
The characters are some of the best of any canon star wars material and the books are really just a joy to read and will leave you wanting more!

I would strongly urge any star wars fan especially those sick of constant infighting between jedi to buy these books and get a whole new perspective on the force - you will not be dissapointed!

Dark , powerful stuff !, 13 Feb 2008
If you are a lover of light fluffy insubstantial sci-fi then don't read this dark , violent and at times macabre tale of how the the Sith got up & running again . It is a nice easy read as it only took me a couple of evenings to get through and ends as abruptly as it starts . This book keeps you on the edge of your seat and would be the superb basis for a cartoon type movie . The characters have real depth and the imagery that this brilliant writer constructs is pretty powerful . I already look forward to the next novel in this sinister series and won't say more for fearing of ruining the supri