Affer was once a peaceful planet, until a war broke out
between its six inhabiting species. The humans, who were once the mightiest
force on Affer, were massacred in droves, and the ones who survived the
onslaught were reduced to mere slaves. The five other species divided the
humans amongst themselves and returned to their respective kingdoms.
The years passed, turning into decades and centuries, without any change.
Eventually, the humans had accepted their fate as slaves. All except one. Four
hundred and seventy-three years later, Fletcher Rush starts his journey to free
his kind…and conquer the planet.
I’ve always had a love for fantasy, and to this day LOTR and
The Inheritance Cycle remain some of my favorite books. There are limitless
possibilities when you’re writing, but with fantasy, it’s different. You don’t
have to adhere to rules or logic; you can create whatever type of world you
want. Characters can live in a dystopian society, a grand futuristic city, a
picture-perfect world, or a medieval wasteland. Time, technology, and magic are
all there for the taking, and as a writer, you get to choose what defines your
story.
“A thrilling adventure story, gripping history, and fascinating study of the Scottish character” from the author of Treasure Island (The Guardian, “The 100 Best Novels”).
Just as newly orphaned David Balfour discovers his scheming uncle is trying to steal his inheritance, he’s kidnapped by a sea captain with plans to sell him into slavery in the Carolinas. Before long, the ship is hampered by strong winds and rough seas, throwing David together with Alan Breck Stewart, a roguish Jacobite with a score to settle. Surviving shipwreck, assassins, and subterfuge forges their friendship, uniting the two young men on a rip-roaring journey that will take them across the Scottish highlands.
“Kidnapped is [Robert Louis Stevenson’s] masterpiece, an unforgettable novel of action that would inspire writers as varied as Joseph Conrad, John Buchan, Graham Greene and Muriel Spark. . . . An astounding action adventure in which Stevenson’s command of narrative, prose that’s pared to the bone, is never less than enthralling.” —The Guardian, “The 100 Best Novels”
“One of the great pleasures of reconsidering Stevenson was rereading Kidnapped. I came back to it hesitantly, nervously, expecting to take my seven-year-old self to task, and found from the beautiful, stately opening pages, wherein David Balfour leaves his home for the last time, that I was captivated. Alan Breck remains a wonderfully jaunty character, and I was struck afresh by Stevenson’s gift for describing landscapes that both shape and reveal the actions of the characters.” —The Atlantic
Editorial Reviews
From School Library Journal
Grade 6 Up-Kidnapped by Robert Louis Stevenson remains one of the classic coming-of-age stories for children and young adults today. After the death of his father, David Balfour sets out to meet his uncle and claim his inheritance. This adventure takes him through the highlands of Scotland where he embarks upon a long journey back from treachery and deceit. The reading by David Rintoul, whose voice is easily recognizable from his roles in several PBS productions such as Pride and Prejudice, translates the written word into an auditory landscape of Scotland. He interprets each character using several voices. As the story progresses, listeners can hear David changing from an uncertain and hesitant youth, to the assured and forthright young man he becomes at the conclusion. Without any special effects, the fight among the crew of the Coventry in the RoundhouseAchairs pushed over, the sounds of the sea hitting against the great shipAbecomes easily visualized. the reader’s skill setting the stage and showing the growth of the character is phenomenal. While this is an abridgement, the story flows easily and gives a full picture from beginning to end. This audiobook is a wonderful way to introduce this style of literature to young readers who may feel inhibited by reading the language of Stevenson. Whether read for enjoyment or to enrich the learning experience, this is a must for every serious library collection of the classics. Tina Hudak, Takoma Park Maryland Library, MD Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From the Inside Flap
A finely honed, stirring adventure about the orphan David Balfour, who is kidnapped by his villainous uncle and escapes through the Scottish highlands, only to become involved in the Scottish struggle for independence. This edition features a new introduction by Margot Livesey.
From the Back Cover
A finely honed, stirring adventure about the orphan David Balfour, who is kidnapped by his villainous uncle and escapes through the Scottish highlands, only to become involved in the Scottish struggle for independence. This edition features a new introduction by Margot Livesey.
My name may be Julie Garza, but I’m a member of the Stone
family through and through. I was only eight years old when my parents were
murdered and I came to live with them. It was then I vowed to make law
enforcement my life’s work and bring my birth parents’ killer to justice. But
I’ve been a Maricopa County Sheriff’s deputy for five years now, and so far,
that hasn’t happened.
My personal life isn’t much better. I’ve been in love with my adopted brother,
Lucas Stone, since I was thirteen, but he thinks of me more like an annoying
kid sister than a full-grown woman, but what can I do? I had gotten good at
suppressing my feelings until the kiss. For a brief moment, I thought he had
feelings for me too, until he puked on my sneakers.
Just when I thought things couldn’t get any worse. I find myself in the
crosshairs of a murderous deputy and my estranged grandfather gets released
from prison and promptly sues for custody of me. Hello? Did he forget I’m an
adult?
Law enforcement isn’t for the fainthearted. Are you brave enough to enter my
world? This time Armageddon is coming to Arizona.
What Readers
are saying:
“Stilettos and Whiskey was another high-octane
entertainment read from the Gemma Stone series that puts the romp in romantic
suspense.” – Sophia Rose, Reviewer
“This book is sooo good! I couldn’t stop laughing, she
killed it with the humor. Armageddon was the best, the whole series was great,
a must read.” – Chris, Reviewer
“I love this entire series. The only complaint I have is
they are never long enough.
These books are full of riotous doings with women who own their femininity and
their badassery. Add in the kind of family we all wish we had, cops, Alpha
Dogs, bad guys, best friends, honor, shoot ’em ups, snark…the list goes on.
Whenever I need to forget life and grin I reread one of these books.” – Katy M,
Reviewer
Howdy. My name is Gail Koger and once upon a time I was a
9-1-1 dispatcher. Too many years of wild requests, screwy questions, bizarre
behavior and outrageous demands have left me with a permanent twitch and an
uncontrollable craving for chocolate. I took up writing science fiction romance
to keep from killing people. So far, it has worked.
Book Reviews by the Reluctant Retiree 