Frostbite Books

This book was seriously amazing. It had everything to make it a truly well rounded story. I have read many many vampire books, and this is one series that really stands out from the many.

The Vampire Academy Series by Richelle Mead is the best vampire story ever written. It goes beyond our generic acceptence of straight-edged good and evil vampires and delivers a powerful story of romance, jealously and all the teenage angst we crave.
We meet Rosemarie Hathaway (Rose) and Vasilisa Dragomir (Lissa) in the first of this brilliant series in Vampire Academy. Rose is tough, strong-headed and so loyal to her best friend that she would die for her. Lissa is sweet, caring and content to follow her best friend to the end of the world. They are complete opposites yet they compliment each other in every aspect. Mead was able to create these dynamic characters and has sustained their original attributes through two exceptionally brilliant novels.
Rose and Lissa had run away from school because of Lissa's secrets, but they were found by the handsome, Russian, Guardian Dimitri Belikov. Taking them back to St Vladimirs turns out to be surprise after surprise for the two girls as they come to have new enemies they never had before and falling in love with boys they probably shouldn't have.
Love interest flairs up between Rose and Dimitri, Rose's new mentor (he is seven years older than Rose). As they battle with their emotions, Lissa is kidnapped by unlikely foe who puts them all in more danger than they realise.
Racing against time to find Lissa, using Rose's uncanny bond with Lissa, they manage to find the cabin that she is being stowed away in. But she isn't there. Rose realising this, runs into the forest after her with Christian, Lissa's unusual love interest.
Facing more battles than they realised, and forming bonds even stronger than that of Rose and Lissa's we are left craving more.
Which is where Frostbite comes in.
After a huge strigoi attack on the Badica family, it puts all Moroi and Dhamphir alike, in fear. Annoyed with Dimitri's way of treating her, Rose's long-absent mother turns up at the school, angering her even further.
Though and unlikely source of excitement runs through the school; an exspensive ski lodge has offered all Moroi families to come stay the christmas with them. Though even a challenge with Mason on the slopes can't take away the anger and resentment she feels toward Dimitri, his new love interest, Christian and most of all her mother.
The climax of the story begins when Mason, Mia (who's mother had been killed by the Strigoi attacks) and Eddie head out in search of the Strigoi that they so want to kill. Rose realising this, heads out in search for them, with Christian tagging along.
Finding them in the mall where the Strigoi have supposedly set up camp, Rose becomes the mother figure to them and starts to drag them home until they get lost. Though they don't have time to be afraid because they are attacked by Human's with guns. Even Rose's extensive training with Dimitri can't prepare her for what is in store for her and her friends for the next few days.
I found that the ending to Frostbite was one of my favourite endings I have ever read. Mead weaved intricately so many emotions into her final climax that you will be left pondering the ending for many days to come.

Richelle Mead is a brilliant writer and her work on the Vampire Academy series exceeds all other vampire novels. You'll left having to read them over and over again until she brings us the next installment to this thrilling saga.

Richelle Mead, you are definately one of my favourite authors!!!
I LOVE YOU SO MUCH!
I love all the twists in this book!
*SPOILERS*
And I love the conflict with Rose's mother. It's such an interesting read!
I was kind of sad about the death at the end... but otherwise I loved every minute of it! I can't wait until the next book comes out! I've already pre-ordered it

The second installment in Vampire Academy definitely lives up to the first. It has more action, more suspsense, but sadly not more of Dimitri than usual. Although the romance between lissa nd christian seems intense, i felt like i was left with only slightly more of Dimitri than before. Theres jealousy, sexual tension, and unrequited love all in a single chapter, so its pretty great. But not enough. I can't WAIT til shadow kiss. ALthough theres a loss, its still awsum what the rewards are. But the loss is pretty unsuspecting and on of the saddest parts so far in this entire series (i think). But i don't want to give away too much, so sorry if it seems like my review is lacking. Other than what i've already said, theres alot more revealed than what i expected so everyones in for some surprises. So ya'll def should read it. PEACE!

Love this book. I really like the relationship between Lissa and Rose. Roses wants Dimitri her dhampir trainer. She knows she shouldn't want him but she can't help herself and how she feels. Lissa has her own boyfriend Christian but she is afraid she is losing control again of her mind. Her Magic is different then anyone else's and she doesn't know how to handle it. This is a great 2nd books in the Vampire Academy Series can't wait for the 3rd.

Just finished reading Paul Petredis' terrific effort. I am the current President of the 35th Infantry Regiment Association and I found the historical aspects of the story to be of particular interest. Paul's story is riveting. I liked the fact that he didn't try and make it a story of personal heroism. As they say in Dragnet "Just the Facts, Mam" and that's what Paul gave us but they were interesting facts and interesting reading. Seems like there should of been a movie come out of this. Thanks Paul. I enjoyed it.

This is the most gripping, facinating non-fiction book I have ever read. It shows the will to survive in the face of overwhelming odds. I wish every high school student would read this book and discover the meaning of a true hero. It is very different from what the movies portray. I recommend reading this book. You won't want to put it down.
O. Mastellos

Facinating true story.

Escape From North Korea by Paul G Petredis

His book is superbly researched and a darn good read of the Forgotten War and the path which lead to it. His personal experience being a soldier in Korea and surviving the conflict gives great credit to him as a man, and his narrative about how he escaped from North Korea is almost beyond description, and should be a must read for anyone who enters the US Military Service. Hope to see future writings by Paul Petredis.

F.Petersen

WOW... war becomes real on these pages, almost too real, and from a soldier with his first-hand account. I found it to be a story of survival and determination, and a credit to the author and to our military. I suppose the most significant part of this story, is the insight into what our soldiers are facing everyday in the Middle East. It should be "must" reading for every person in our Armed Forces, as to what to expect, and how to overcome the impending obstacles, in battle and if captured. An excellent book and a credit to its author. Well done!

tis bok loks gret!!! i am going to by et ! i lave et! !!!
i am franch ond i lave amirequa !!

For those who have always dreamed of moments after seeing Jaws, and the like, this book is perfect. Describing all the goriest details in the second person view. I found this book extremely interesting, along as educational with all the scientific phenomena associated with each painful experience.

This book was outstanding. The only complaint I have is that it wasn't longer. What I enjoyed most was that each story refers to the characters as YOU, and has enough scenerary information to give you a clear image in your head of where your suppossed to be, then BAM something crazy happens and your drowning in a lake in the middle of nowhere. I could literally taste the water in my mouth during that story. Then after the climax of each story the author throughly describes how each situation can kill you. He is very descriptive and interprets it in an easy to understand language. He must have done his homework to be able to describe those many different situations as he did. I loved this book, it is a quick fun and factual read for anybody at any age level.

I thought the concept for the book a little more exciting than the book itself. The stories seemed too short, and a few end abruptly without much explanation as to what happened next. It seems only obvious that extreme encounters should have extreme details, but that's not the case here. Overall, I think 5th through 8th graders would appreciate this book most.

Quirky apropos of its publisher, Quirk Books, "Extreme Encounters" is formatted like one of those books to keep in the bathroom: the information is fascinating but not sufficiently in depth for anything more than morbid curiosity. Nevertheless, this is a fun little book to read, with anecdotes of demise as diverse as the effects of a shark attack to Civil War amputations. In a break from the subject matter (which mostly deal with death or dismemberment), author Greg Emmanuel also describes the experiences of sky diving and rocketing into space in a Gemini capsule.

Emmanuel is definitely on to something with "Extreme Encounters". We are drawn by our fears toward descriptions of what scares us the most, and the author does describe some of the neurological processes that govern our behavior while under life-threatening stress, but the book is a little haphazard and mixed-one can envision a series of books on this topic, more in depth, with the non-lethal, purely experiential anecdotes such as sky diving filling a book of their own.

A consistent theme in this book is our neurological responses to stress in life-threatening situations. Readers can get more information about these responses than Emmanuel offers with Laurence Gonzales' book "Deep Survival".

So what does it feel like to die? According to author Greg Emmanuel, it all depends on how you go. 39 separate, horrible fates are chronicled in this book, and though not all of them end in death, they do all make your skin crawl. The categories include When Animals Attack, The Great Outdoors, Somebody Get a Doctor, Crime and Punishment, Everyday Mishaps, and Going to Extremes. Most of the scenarios only last for 2-3 pages which makes this a great book to pull out at parties and read aloud from, or take with you on vacation. The story style is conversational and informal, and the book length is a scant 175 pages, so it's a quick read all around.

Yes, the stories are creepy and gross, and at times they'll make you laugh though you might feel a little guilty for doing so. This is a novel and fun book.

you can feel his young heart poor into these photographs. romanticism, hope, and a peace of mind fill these images. a beautiful collection from my favorite photographer.

A first book, Frostbite contains some of Minkkinen's best photographs, which can be seen in later works. Watch his work grow and mature by beginning here. Photographs with a lovely young model are especially touching.

DR BRENNAN, HAVE TRIED TO CONTACT YOU...I TOO SERVED WITH THE MARINES, 2/3...I TOO BECAME AN OB/GYN...I TOO HAD A BEST FRIEND, AN ALO WHO SUBSEQUENTLY AUGERED IN...UNLIKE YOU, WAS NEVER IN THE HEAT OF BATTLE...HOW DID I LEARN OF YOUR BOOK?...ONE OF THE TAMPA BAY BUCS COACHES SAID ON THE AIR HE WAS GOING TO READ IT ON THE WAY TO THE WEST COAST...OUR NATION STANDS PROUD OF YOU, AND I SALUTE YOU RICHARD CRANE

Short fiction doesn't get any better than what Green Bean Press has been putting out in the last few years. Nathan Graziano's work is compelling, hilarious, and well worth the cover price. I used two of the stories in my Creative Writing class and my students loved them.

I love short story collections because you don't have to read them all at once, they're perfect for something complete when you just have a small amount of time, like a bus ride. However, I couldn't put Frostbite down once I started it. There are some recurring characters and everything takes place in the same area, but all the stories stand strong on their own. The author is really good at dialogue and grounding you in this new england landscape where everything is cold and everyone is a little trapped. The stories are sharply funny and sometimes sad. I definitely think this book is worth reading and Nathan Graziano is someone to look for in the future.

Graziano's collection of stories gives the reader a glimpse into the lives of young adults attempting to define their place among chaos. These characters, though riddled with personal imperfections, leave you sympathetic to their quest for self-fulfillment and meaningful relationships. Witty and unpretentious; it is a must read for those who have ever experienced confusion, disillusion or disappointment.

A _Dubliners_ for the Gen X sect, Graziano's work of short stories skillfully encapsulates the frustration and monotony of living lean in a small town with little hope for escape. Although the characters' lives are often intertwined, they're for the most part frozen in their own isolation and regret. The final story, "Nor'easter", offers a glimpse of real connection and, maybe, transcendence. Beneath the deadpan journalistic style, there's a great deal of pathos and humor. Especially amusing was "The Big Gig," told from the perspective of a convenience store drone-cum-would-be punk rock star who struggles to hold onto his convictions in the face of certain failure, and the opener "Padlocked," about a college student whose obsession with his diminutive, enigmatic roommate's secret habits yields disaster. An excellent first effort, I look forward to reading more.

Graziano's debut fiction (he has written some supposedly-good poetry) is inspiring. Inspiring, that is, to other writers who wonder if they could ever be published. While his crude humor sometimes conned a chuckle out of me, all in all his overuse of profanity and self-pleasuring references gives this book a decidedly puerile tone. If you have never drank and scratched your way through college and feel you missed out, then this collection of short stories is for you. Otherwise spend your $19 and two hours elsewhere.