The Dreaming Tree

Customer Reviews:

Tragic tale of the last of the Sidhe, and the end of the Age of Faery.......2007-01-31

The dreaming tree is a combined version of CJ Cherryh's masterful Arafel stories.
This isn't a book with a lot of action; it is a thoughtful and thought provoking tale of the last of the Sidhe, the great race before the age of Man.

If you are not familiar with CJ Cherry, this book may be a chore to read, as it is so full of introspection and sorrow. If you already are familiar with her third person intense internal prose, you will love this tragic tale, where loneliness and alienation are palpable.

Utterly believable, powerful, wonderful!

Beautiful.......2007-01-12

In short: this has to be one of the most beautiful books I've read, a truly magical book. It makes you wish you'd find anything, even a pooka in a nearby river trying to coax you to death, just to see that Ealdwood once was...

The book consists of two books, as has been said, and I will deal with them as one. Anyway, I barely even noticed where the first book ended and the second began.

Cherryh paints in this book an absolutely lovely fairytale - a fairytale that feels like real life. It is sad and gloomy at times, and dark, but there is hope and love in it as well, and in the end the sad times only make it more beautiful. The characters are real, full of feeling, and all their feelings come across to the reader quite vividly. The story spans over quite a long time - in fact, we see four different generations in it. There is no single main character in the book for its whole duration - unless that is Arafel, the Sidhe lady.

One thing people have complained about this book is that it's slow. Well, this accusation hardly comes as a surprise to those who are familiar with C. J. Cherryh's other work... isn't that what she's always accused of by some readers? I wouldn't say this is slow, though. Let's just say it's not fast - at least most of the time. The story goes on at its own pace and keeps you in its grip through the quiet days of farming and everyday life, through the battles and hunts, as well as the magical encounters with the mystic world of Eald - or at least, this is what happened to me.

I don't know what else I can say about this book. To me, it is one of the most charming books I've ever come across, and I think I'll remember it for a long time. Originally I got it from the library, but it didn't take a long time for it to find its way into my bookshelf.

Pros and cons.......2006-06-27

This book is a collection of two titles, The Dreamstone and The Tree of Swords and Jewels.

I found The Dreamstone to be a wonderful read. Very concise in its form, the pacing worked well, and the story unfolds over a period of years, which is important to the central focus of the novel being on Eald and its relationship with humans. This first book comes in at under 200 pages, I believe, and really feels right.

Now, the second book is where things fall down. Somewhere along the way someone must have suggested that this story needed more words. Because there's a lot more words. And they're not all necessary. Gone is the conciseness of the story, gone is the mystery of Eald, as we focus more on humans and their squabbles over the kingdom. This book loses focus from the first one, and really drags through the final half. It is too long, it is too wordy, it is too complicated... it is just too much, frankly.

A shame, really, since The Dreamstone was really a wonderful read in itself.

just too slow.......2006-06-17

After reading Fortress in the Eye of Time I was eager to savour this celtic effort by the same author.

I found the same neat, accurate writing, the same fastidious attention to detail, the same unconventional characters.

Mr/Ms Cherryh (I still have not found out which) shapes a fascinating twilight world were dimming elves, more inhuman than I have ever found them in a fantasy, are fading leaving their place to humans. There is no sense a fulfillment, nor predestination. Just sadness.

It is not easy to create a novel out of these ideas. The author managed it in Fortress in the Eye of time, but this time unfortunately there is no plot. Nothing really happens in this book. Absolutely nothing. Characters do not come to life. You never connect with them. The atmosphere is fascinating but the final effect is boring.

A disappointment.

Interesting but odd.......2006-04-08

I really like Cherryh's stuff but this was a little convoluted. A good read but hard to keep track of characters.

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Flashy, Fantastic Rain Forest Frogs
Dorothy Hinshaw Patent
Manufacturer: Walker Books for Young Readers
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Frogs & Toads | Animals | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 0802775365

Book Description

Describes the physical characteristics, behavior, reproduction, and habitat of frogs that live in the rain forest.

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Super Reader
Changed My Life
silver on the tree
A wonderful slice of imagination.
Silver on the Tree, ages 9-11 or 11-14?

Silver on the Tree
Susan Cooper
Manufacturer: Simon Pulse
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

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ASIN: 0689711522

Book Description

The Dark is rising in its last and greatest bid to control the world. And Will Stanton -- last-born of the immortal Old Ones, dedicated to keeping the world free -- must join forces with his ageless master Merriman and Bran, the Welsh boy whose destiny ties him to the Light. Drawn in with them are the three Drew children, who are mortal, but have their own vital part in the story. These six fight fear and death in the darkly brooding Welsh hills, in a quest through time and space that touches the most ancient myths of the British Isles, and that brings Susan Cooper's masterful sequence of novels to a satisfying close.

Customer Reviews:

Super Reader.......2007-08-07

The conclusion to the fabulous Dark is Rising sequence brings it all together. The Drew children, Will, Merriman Lyon, Bran, and their human relatives and acquaintances, one of whom will prove crucial, and a traitor will be revealed.

Will and Bran must undergo the most perilous quest, to the find the sword of power.

Again, the clues are poetic :-

I am the womb of every holt,
I am the blaze on every hill,
I am the queen of every hive,
I am the shield for every head,
I am the tomb of every hope --
I am Eirias

At the end, a decision must be made by those who are not mortal, about those who are mortal.

Changed My Life.......2007-07-19

Reading the last sentence of this book 24 years ago changed my life. BOYCOTT the travesty that is the Dark Is Rising film. Keep the pure elements of Cooper alive. The amazing tale she spun, weaving in elements of Celtic/Welsh mythology into a modern narrative leaves me shaking today. This book made me who I am today. I will not stand by and watch it raped and pillaged. READ the BOOK and BOYCOTT the film.

Peace.

silver on the tree.......2006-10-16

For the last time, the Dark will attempt to rise once again. But Will and his friends of the Light will be there to stop it. This book is the ending to an ancient rivalry between the Light and the Dark. For centuries the Old Ones, a group of magical beings, have been preventing the Dark from rising since the beginning of time. I suggest this to people who like books with mystery and magic and magic because this book is full of it. Susan Cooper's series are suspenseful and exciting; you'll always be back for more. When you read this book you'll find out how badly Will and the Light need to defeat the Dark and stop it from rising this one last time.

A wonderful slice of imagination........2006-07-31

This is the magical conclusion to an equally magical series of books. Susan Cooper's seamless mix of timeless legend, wonderful imagination and beautiful use of language, make it difficult to find many to equal her.
Silver On The Tree is a coming together of the prophecies that we've been hearing tantalising titbits from all through the series, and a culminating of the quest of Will Stanton, last of the old ones and his immortal master Meriman, Bran Davis, the welsh boy with an extraordinary destiny, and the three Drew Children, ordinary kids with a knack for being in the thick of things.
This story takes the reader on a rollercoaster ride through time, space and other worlds, with a climax that has you quite literally on the edge of your seat.
There are some extremely moving scenes, and I for one was very sad at the end. What, I cry plaintively, will become of Will?
There now, I hope that wet your apatite.
Just to complete your satisfaction, I can confirm for fans of the audio books that Alex Jennings reads the last book in the series, as he did with nearly all the others, and his high quality narration makes for a delightful listening experience.

Silver on the Tree, ages 9-11 or 11-14?.......2006-05-01

Silver on the Tree, written by Susan Cooper, has a wonderful amount of description to it.
Although I enjoyed some of the books from the series, I must say that many others from the series seemed to have no value to read. My class of 21 students read this, and only about 2 people out of this class actually enjoyed this book. I myself can say I would not rate this book as 9-12, but 11-14 due to the way susan cooper will carry away from the excitement of the story with the description.
Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed these books, and hope to see more of the age group I think is appropriate will read it.

A Sheep Falls Out of the Tree: How Anyone Can Develop a Fantastic Memory

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A Sheep Falls Out of the Tree: How Anyone Can Develop a Fantastic Memory
Christiane Stenger
Manufacturer: Cyan Communications
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Self-Help | Health, Mind & Body | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 190487925X

Book Description

Frazzled students and harried workers will value this advice from a self-described "totally lazy" teen, who became motivated to train and develop her memory skills in order to have more free time away from school. Contending that a keen memory is not only essential for students and an asset in test-taking but also a major factor in confidence and self-esteem, the book's breezy tone and simple exercises invite anyone who feels anxious about memorization to relax and practice with the included activity charts and simple memory tests. The author's struggle to rise above her "below average" academic performance as a child to become a teen protégé, excellent student, and world champion in memory performance will offer inspiration to anyone who worries about memory lapses or the stress of trying to remember important details under pressure.

The One Tree (The Second Chronicles of Thomas Covenant, Book 2)

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Possibly Best Book in the Series
Donaldson slipped just a BIT...
The story continues
Donaldson Stands Alone
ONE OF THE BEST OF THE SERIES

The One Tree (The Second Chronicles of Thomas Covenant, Book 2)
STEPHEN R. DONALDSON
Manufacturer: Del Rey
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Fantasy | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 0345298985
Release Date: 1982-03-12

Book Description

Thomas Covenant and Linden Avery begin their search for the One Tree that is to be the salvation of the Land. Only he could find the answer and forge a new Staff of Law--but fate decreed that the journey was to be long, the quest arduous, and quite possibly a failure....

Customer Reviews:

Possibly Best Book in the Series.......2007-07-21

Even whiny Linden could not slow this book down. Although not much gets accomplished to further the story line, the book does flow with non-stop action. The questers are besieged with one peril after another. Typical of other books of the series the good guys manage to scrape by, but only after death and loss, and they end up worse off than they began. The entire series is somewhat depressing as every small triumph is offset by a larger failure. At least Covenant is struck by a form of paralysis early in the story and so we don't have to hear him moan. Unfortunately, Linden is still around to fret, cry, whine, and hesitate in Covenants stead. Even with all of this there is plenty of action and surprises to keep the reader turning pages.

My two biggest complaints with this book are complaints I've had with other books in the series. My first complaint is Donaldson's use of incomprehensible words. I initially kept a dictionary close by to look up some of the very unusual words that Donaldson fills the story with. However, after a while I realized that many times he uses the words out of context, or in ways that do not make sense even when you know the words meaning. Donaldson is definitely lexiphanic in his writing (using ostentatiously recondite words). Ha! Two can play at this game........try to find that one in your dictionary Donaldson.

My second complaint concerns the Ravers in the story. In this book, once again we have an immortal creature that can travel the world instantaneously at will. A creature that can take any form, possess almost any creature (giants and the Haruchai are a little harder than others). A creature that cannot be killed or harmed (they just move into a new form). Donaldson has created these 3 Ravers with unlimited power, but never uses them in any way that makes sense. I've seen this same problem in other fantasy series where the author unwittingly creates a creature, form of magic, or power that if actually ever properly used would prematurely end the series. The end result is that the Raver's power and attacks are limited in the story in ways that confuse and never make sense.

Even with my complaints, I'd have to say that this book has been one of the best of the series so far.

Donaldson slipped just a BIT..........2006-07-29

This book, though still an exciting and deep tale, is slow and not as eventful as the previous books. Also, it was in the POV of Linden Avery who is not a "love to hate" person like Covenant. She is rather...whiny.

The One Tree is about Covenant, Linden, a group of Haruchai, and a group of Giants who take a voyage across unknown sections of the world to find the One Tree and craft a new Staff of Law. However, Lord Foul sends his Ravers in order ensure the mission's failure and the world's destruction. From the faery home of Elemesnedene to the Sandhold of Braithairealm to the Island of the One Tree, the company meets dangers and enemies that want nothing more than power. The ambiguous Elohim, Kasreyn of the Gyre, and the mysterious ur-vile Vain all contribute to the frustrations and griefs of Covenant and Linden.

Although possibly the weakest book of the series, it is still a knockout and a must-read. Fantasy addicts will not be disappointed.

The story continues.......2005-05-24

In The Wounded Land Covenant confronted the Clave, strange governing body of The Land that has replaced the council of Lords, and learned the truth about Lord Foul's role in the desecration of The Land. Covenant decides the best course of action is to leave The Land to search for the Isle of the One Tree. Centuries before, Berek Halfhand had forged the Staff of Law from a branch of the One Tree. Covenant feels the only hope of redemption for The Land is to forge a new staff and restore the laws of nature that were broken when the original staff was destroyed. Accompanied by Linden Avery and a ship full of giants they depart The Land. Since no one knows where the One Tree is located, the giants suggest that the company seek the help of the Elohim. The Elohim are a fairy people that appear to be earthpower incarnate. But the Elohim have their own plans for Covenant and the white gold.

A great deal of this book explores the character of Linden Avery. She has terrible secrets in her past that she must explore and confront to overcome her feelings of helplessness. Her confrontation with the leader of the Clave in The Wounded Land left her doubting herself and feeling that she is inherently evil. She must work through her feelings and find a way to help Covenant on his quest to redeem The Land. The giants are all terrific characters, which add to the enjoyment of this book. There is a great deal of action in this book, which flows exceptionally well and never drags.

Donaldson Stands Alone.......2005-04-28

And the epic continues. SRD is one of my all-time favorite fantasy writers. It's been awhile since I picked up the First and Second Chronicles of Thomas Covenant. But these books are so rich in symbolism and meaning. Some people are turned off by the main protagonist dreery and often pessimistic viewpoints. And these books are quite anti-typical and anti-archtypical fantasy, in similar likeness of Martin and Erikson. But Donaldson speaks with a rich prose that ignites off the pages in a similar fashion -yet completely different than that to- of Lovecraft. The Land is a wealth of wonder and awe wreathed in mysticism, myth, and held in otherworldly Laws.Now Donaldson is not for everyone, optimism is not always a focus but seeking solutions, accountability, love, and drama are deeply examined. Never expelled. And some readers are turned off and despise the leper Thomas Covenant because of his actions whom mysteriously arrives at a alternate reality aptly called simply The Land, whether real, imagined, hallucinated, or dreamt is a question that may or may not be answered. His science fiction The Gap series should not be dismissed by serious readers but is even more brutal than TCoTC in regards to portraying the baser nature of human beings in a most graphic sense. It's about the human condition. Except for a couple of events, TCoCT is more filtered in fantasy entrappings but no less diminishing on it's impact on readers. Truly emotionally moving in a high order. Great sci-fi reading, but might be a bit too harsh for new readers introducing themselves to this remarkable writer. These are the books that I read with the same amount of zeal, color, and drama as watching the Original Trilogy of Star Wars as a youngster only deeper. A complex Star Wars series in fantasy trappings. Be warned, this series is not for everyone as I said before. IMO, kicks the tail off Tolkien in-spite the latter's great literary merit and love how it takes many of the master's long established and overused archtypes and sacred literary laws and dumps them on their head, such as one Thomas Covenant that is relunctant, griping, cowardly even, indecisive, discompassionate, selfish, and capable of even heinous crime. And for those that thought they'd been dragged through a wilderness of morass self-pity, remember... Star Wars. IMO, one of the greatest fantasy series ever written and would love to debate or discuss it with anyone. It is a realm where one's choice are held balanced in scales, bearing gravity on one's own or other's futures. Even possibly whole civilizations. A stunning and thoroughly thought provoking and stimulating masterpiece.Love it or hate it, SRD's works have left their mark.There are so many awesome moments in both trilogies. TCoTC is quite biblical in that sense but not expounding age old religious stories and principals and spiritualities of course.These books discombobulates the mind, with the wide range of fluent implications and messages. Allusions are confounding and staggering.Probably my favorite moment, of countless, countless favorite moments is Blood of the Earth piece in The Illearth War:TCoTC Book 2.And..."Covenant! Beloved! Strike a blow for me!" rings in my ears forever.

ONE OF THE BEST OF THE SERIES.......2005-01-19

THE ONE TREE is in many ways Donaldson's most richly complex book from a psychological standpoint, up to this point in the series. THE WOUNDED LAND dealt primarily with the visceral shock Covenant experiences upon returning to said land and the physical reactions of Linden Avery. We met some new characters and marveled at the changes in the land. And that was enough.

In THE ONE TREE, the relationship between Covenant & Avery grows ever more complex at every turn. They push & pull at each other, struggling with urgent need and vastly divergent understandings of where their quest should take them. We also get to revisit the wonderful giants, briefly reintroduced at the end of THE WOUNDED LAND. In the previous trilogy, we had come to know and love Saltheart Foamfollower, probably the single greatest character ever created for a "quest" fantasy story. While the giants in THE ONE TREE are wonderfully rich and alive, they don't quite reach Foamfollower's status in our hearts. BUT, we get to understand their race more clearly and experience their unbelievable strength and character.

I don't want to rehash the plot...it's been done well enough previously. Some reviewers have complained that the book is too episodic, or that some of the events that take place are just there to fill out the book to proper length. To my mind, the hardships the characters endure serve to illustrate their strength of character and the parts of their psyches that are conflicted or downright torn. I love that. Also, some mention that Covenant isn't the focus of the book as much as Linden Avery...that's okay with me. Covenant, in many ways, is less interesting than most of the other characters. He has my sympathy and support, but he's not the REASON I love these books.

Donaldson makes some remarkable leaps of imagination, and the Bloodguard are very richly portrayed. As readers of past Covenant books know, Donaldson is often very ambiguous about good vs. evil. Yes, Lord Foul is the bad guy, no question about that. But it's the bad impulses in otherwise "heroic" characters that make the books so complex. If you like that element of these books, then you'll love THE ONE TREE. It's full of conflict within the "good" guys.

Many middle books in trilogies have the problem of dangling a little at both ends. They're picking up from a thread of the first book and leaving one behind for the final book. THE ONE TREE has some of that, but the intensity of the final scenes and the resolution of some of the characters is richly satisfying, so rather than feeling let down at the end, you just want to immediately grab the next book. And thank goodness you can...unlike Donaldson's current Covenant books, which are planned to have three year gaps in between.

So, if you've like the Covenant books up until now, you'll love THE ONE TREE. It's more action-packed than THE WOUNDED LAND and more rewarding. If you haven't enjoyed the books (but for some strange reason have read up to this point), your mind won't be changed. And obviously, if you haven't read them but would like to, you MUST go back to the beginning. Do not hope to start reading at this point and just "pick it up as you go along." You'll completely miss 95% of what's going on.

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A Treasure of Tree Info for the kids

Trees (Fantastic Facts)
Peter Mellett
Manufacturer: Southwater
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 1842150944

Book Description

Fact file with 20 information sections on the different parts of a tree and their functions.

Customer Reviews:

A Treasure of Tree Info for the kids.......2000-05-08

Wow! What a treasure trove of fascinating facts for kids! The book is beautifully and intelligently illustrated.

Kids learn how very important trees are to the environment, how to examine a tree's bark, how to make bark rubbings, how the bark reveals the age and health of a tree, how it pumps water into the atmosphere, how photosynthesis occurs and why it is important to each of us.

It lists a number of intriguing experiments for kids to do at home with a minimum of supplies and fuss. Parents will find winning ideas for science experiments at school, and kids will be inspired to go on nature walks in their neighborhood to examine and learn from their own and the neighbors trees.

Children, with just a bit of help from mom or dad will learn how to measure the height of a tree (with an ordinary wooden stick and the formula in the book). The section on roots explains where the roots are, and shows pictures of rainforest tree roots. It shows how trees in desert areas store water.

An inquiring child learns how to estimate a tree's age from its growth rings. As it takes the child through the growth process from bud to leaf, it teaches how to make a leaf pressings and starts his or her curiosity on how to identify a tree from its leaf.

I'm a grandmother of five in the 9 to 12 age range and each will be given this amazing book. It is so fact-filled most adults will learn alot from it, yet simple to read and understand for the kids.

Book Description

24 practical tasks, such as planting a mini jungle or making a hammock, and over 250 photos and explanatory artworks enable kids to learn more about the life in a rainforest in an informative but entertaining way.

FANTASTIC STORIES - Volume 21, number 4 - April 1972: Beyond the Resurrection; A Dome of Many Colored Glass; Thus I Fefute; Up To the Edge of Heaven; The Puiss of Krrlil; The Pill; Nice Trees Don't

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FANTASTIC STORIES - Volume 21, number 4 - April 1972: Beyond the Resurrection; A Dome of Many Colored Glass; Thus I Fefute; Up To the Edge of Heaven; The Puiss of Krrlil; The Pill; Nice Trees Don't
Ted (editor) (Gordon Eklund; Bob Shaw; Terry Carr; David R. Bunch; F. M. Busby; Maggie Nadler; B. Mebane) White
Manufacturer: Ultimate Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000HP6IJK

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Fantastic Trees
Edwin A. Menninger
Manufacturer: Viking Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000O852LA

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Fantastic Trees
Edwin Menninger
Manufacturer: Viking
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000NSLEK4

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