Rating: 
Summary: George R. R. Martin proves himself once again!
Review: 5 Stars for The Hedge Knight! Most of the other stories were ok, but The Hedge Knight was amazing work, up to Martin's standard of excellence - again, perfectly paced story, with good humor, good twists and excellent storytelling. The book is worth buying just for this great tale!And, if you haven't read A Game of Thrones or A Clash of Kings - it will convince you to! It is said that we find out what happened to the main character in The Hedge Knight in Martin's 3rd book from A Song of Ice and Fire Series, A Storm of Swords.
Rating: 
Summary: Good stuff.
Review: I have to admit I bought this book for "The Hedge Knight". I enjoyed the other stories too, but I can't get enough of Martin's Song of Ice and Fire series. The Hedge Knight gives us a little history of a few of the families from the other stories. I especially like how it makes the Targaryens more tangible. They seem almost like a family of crazy, yet mystical people in the other books, but here we see them as your typical royal family with troubles like every one else. I eagerly await the next installment of the Dunk and Egg novellas.
Rating:
Summary: Good stuff.
Review: I have to admit I bought this book for "The Hedge Knight". I enjoyed the other stories too, but I can't get enough of Martin's Song of Ice and Fire series. The Hedge Knight gives us a little history of a few of the families from the other stories. I especially like how it makes the Targaryens more tangible. They seem almost like a family of crazy, yet mystical people in the other books, but here we see them as your typical royal family with troubles like every one else. I eagerly await the next installment of the Dunk and Egg novellas.
Rating:
Summary: Good stuff.
Review: I have to admit I bought this book for "The Hedge Knight". I enjoyed the other stories too, but I can't get enough of Martin's Song of Ice and Fire series. The Hedge Knight gives us a little history of a few of the families from the other stories. I especially like how it makes the Targaryens more tangible. They seem almost like a family of crazy, yet mystical people in the other books, but here we see them as your typical royal family with troubles like every one else. I eagerly await the next installment of the Dunk and Egg novellas.
Rating: 
Summary: Great Read!
Review: I haven't actually read this book, so I guess that my four star rating is slightly presumptious, to say the least. However, I am *extremely* familiar with all of Terry Goodkind's work, and I was shocked to hear such damning reports from everyone. What's all this about "The Hedge Knight"? I can't say I know - I haven't read it. However, if its true; if this extract *is* better than Terry Goodkind's, then I for one give it my wholehearted endorsement, and i would recommend that everyone at least try it. And I have to read his other works. I was interested to read some people claiming the that novels of Pern are better than Goodkind. That, in my humble opinion, is codswallop. Although I haven't read "The Hedge Knight", I have read a lot of Anne McCafrey's stuff, and I can't say I liked it all that much. Regardless, I *would* like to recommend this compilation of stories, at least for Goodkind, and - I guess - the other bloke.
Despite not having read the book, I felt that the reports I have read have all been informative. I have been persuaded to read this other bloke's work, and I have realised that I need to do something to further the cause of Goodkind: he cannot be allowed to fall under the shadow of another fantasy author!
Rating:
Summary: Good Stories, One Fantastic Standout
Review: I wasn't a fan of fantasy. Then, my cousin sent me this book and said: "Read 'The Hedge Knight'". Well now I'm hooked on George R.R. Martin. This story grabs and never lets go. All the characters pull you in to their little personal plights. I even found myself feeling sorry for the ones I hated. After you read "The Hedge Knight", run out and get the "Song of Ice and Fire" series ... CAPTIVATING.
Rating:
Summary: Definitely a hit!
Review: I would reccomend this book for the sole purpose of reading Terry Goodkind. He is a great author who stands above all the others, with the possible exception of David Eddings. I think if you want to read a good book you should read this one, mainly because of Goodkinds work in writing the story of the origin of the boundary put up by the First Wizard Zeddicus Z'ul Zorander to protect the people of Westland and the Midlands from the threat of the D'Haran Empire, ruled by Darken Rahl the son of Panis Rahl an evil man who dabbles in dark secrets. Another book I would reccomend is any book written by Goodkind.
Rating:
Summary: Review of Legends Series, Vol. 2 [Abridged]
Review: Purchased for a 11 hour road trip at some outlet store on the Oregon/CA border, parts of this audio cassette exceeded my all of my expectations. The Robert Jordan "New Spring" read by Sam Tsoutsouvas, captured my attention and didn't let it go. I didn't want the story to end, I wanted to hear more about the Aes Sedai and of the characters in the series. Overall, the best story out of this audio book collection. As a teaser prequel to the Wheel of Time series, this story does its job. "Discworld: The Sea and Little Fishes" story was annoying to me, I don't know why. Perhaps it was the reader's shrill voice, but the story was tolerable. "Grinning Man" was an interesting tale that I know I've read somewhere before. Each reader did his/her best to read the story and presented it in a way that gave the story life. I would recommend this collection to anyone that is not already familiar with Robert Jordan. If you like this story, you'll become a fan of his. The Terry Pratchett story Discworld, is not a good representation of his/her work...at least I hope it isn't. Overall, thanks to this collection, I have discovered the world of Robert Jordan.
Rating:
Summary: Review of Legends Series, Vol. 2 [Abridged]
Review: Purchased for a 11 hour road trip at some outlet store on the Oregon/CA border, this audio cassette exceeded my all of my expectations. The Robert Jordan "New Spring" read by Sam Tsoutsouvas, captured my attention and didn't let it go. Spanning 2 cassette tapes, I just didn't want the story to end, I wanted to hear more about the Aes Sedai and of the characters in the series. Overall, the best story out of this audio book collection. As a teaser prequel to the Wheel of Time series, this story does its job. "Discworld: The Sea and Little Fishes" story was annoying to me, I don't know why. It started out rather slowly and since I was driving at the time, having something boring to listen to is not exactly a good thing. Perhaps it was the reader's shrill voice, but the story was tolerable. The first time, I skipped over this story since I wanted to hear the Robert Jordan story (His WoT series has been mentioned to me at least 10 different times by several different friends). "Grinning Man" was an interesting tale that I know I've read somewhere before. It was a short story that involved meeting Davy Crockett. Another tale that left me wanting more. Each reader did his/her best to read the story and presented it in a way that gave the story life. I would recommend this collection to anyone that wants a taste of what the fantasy genre is about, the Robert Jordan epic alone should help you decide. The Terry Pratchett story Discworld, is not a good representation of his/her work...at least I hope it isn't. I still play "New Spring" by Robert Jordan in my tape deck. It is THAT good a story.
Rating:
Summary: Lovely.
Review: Robert Silverberg (ed.), Legends, vol. 2 (Tor, 1998) This is water in the desert for fans of fantasy series whose books have a tendency to have a long time between releases. Anne McCaffrey (Pern), George R. R. Martin (A Song of Ice and Fire), and Terry Goodkind (Sword of Truth) all contribute short novels to this volume in the Legends series, and all are well worth your time. Goodkind's story, "Debt of Bones," leads off the trilogy, and deals with a time when Zeddicus Zu'l Zorander was much younger than he is in the Sword of Truth novels. Here, he's pitted against Panis Rahl, and must decide whether to put himself, and the fate of the Midlands, in danger in order to fulfill a debt of bones to the daughter of a deceased sorceress. One has come to expect strong storytelling and easy turning of pages from Goodkind, and he does not disappoint here. Martin's story, "The Hedge Knight," follows. Again taking place some time before the events in the Song of Ice and Fire books, "he Hedge Knight" follows the squire of a newly deceased mercenary, who has a desire to make his name in a tournament against some of the biggest names in the business (including a number of Targaryens, who at the time of this story have not yet been banished; in fact, they play a major part in the story, which should be a pleasant surprise to many Ice and Fire fans). Martin's work on this series is always a pleasure, and once again, the is no disappointment to be found here, though one wonders about the loose end to be found. The biggest surprise of the bunch, to me, was McCaffrey's "Runner of Pern." I've always shied away from the Pern books, for no real reason. This story is a welcome change of pace from the two that precede it; rather than battles, jousting, and the rest, this is a quiet romantic coming-of-age tale that hits just the right spot, like a lemon ice after a boeuf bourguignon. It's convinced me to go back and try the Pern novels, as McCaffrey's style is simple and engaging. Like the others, she keeps the pages turning. Definitely a worthwhile piece of work. I shouldn't have to sell those who are already enmeshed in the various series covered here, but others will find it a perfect sampling to see if the three titans covered here are to their tastes. I can almost guarantee they will be. ****
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