Review: Tanar of Pellucidar is a swashbuckling romantic adventure

Hi everyone. I was able to finish another story, which means I can give you yet another review. This continues one of my favorite series by Edgar Rice Burroughs.

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Story:
While talking to a fan on the surface, Edgar Rice Burroughs receives a message from Perry in Pellucidar. The empire he and David Innes helped set up has been attacked by pirate-like Korsars, vicious men who kill for the sake of it. They've taken several Pellucidarians captive, including Tanar, Prince of Sari. While Tanar is among the Korsars he encounters the beautiful Stellara. Along the way the two of them will face Korsars, prehistoric beasts, even the undead, but nothing can prepare them for the greatest foe they will encounter on their adventures: their feelings for each other.
I enjoy the adventures in the primordial world of Pellucidar, and this adventure was interesting. I enjoyed seeing more of the seas and islands of Pellucidar, and here Burroughs takes the opportunity to create a swashbuckling tale in a prehistoric world. How often do you get to read about that? For romantics out there the story has plenty of elements for a romantic story, but those who don't care it doesn't get carried away. The only problem I really had was the pacing. Burroughs could've taken the time to expound on the story. The adventures of Tanar could've been expounded to another book, especially at the end. It seems that he probably planned to write about those exploits at a later time, but never did. Maybe someday someone will be asked to expound on those adventures, but for now we can use our imaginations to decide what happened, and enjoy the stories he's given us.
Caution:
Korsars threaten the characters. Swashbuckling action abound. Characters encounter zombies that try to eat them.
Lessons:
When dating we should learn to understand each other's feelings. The greatest form of love is to be willing to give our lives for another.

Book review: The Cave Girl is fun, but misleading

Hi everyone. I finished this book earlier this week and that means it's time for another review. Today's lucky story is The Cave Girl by Edgar Rice Burroughs.

Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
Story:
Waldo Emerson Smith-Jones is swept off the ship he was traveling on and washes ashore on an uncharted island. Due to the fact that he is a bookworm and was helicoptered-parented by his mother all his life Waldo is a coward. He soon finds out that the inhabitants of the island are Paleolithic-era people who are intent on killing him. He meets and befriends a beautiful cave girl named Nadara who teaches him her language and how to survive in the wild. She names him Thandar, which translates as "The Brave One." She clings to him in the hopes that he will rid her village of two antagonistic cavemen who are making life hard for everyone. However he flees the first chance he get. As time goes by Waldo gets stronger and braver, and starts to fit into a better role on this island. Will Waldo be able to face his fears and his many enemies and get back home?
I have enjoyed the stories of Edgar Rice Burroughs because I enjoy the places he comes up with and the loyalties the characters develop for each other. When I learned of this title I was hoping for more prehistoric-themed stuff. The story is still fun even if it goes with a lot of Mr. Burroughs story stereotypes. I was disappointed when I was reading that there weren't other Paleolithic inhabitants on this island. Also the story seemed a little fast paced. When it comes down to some of Waldo's health problems I'm not sure that living out in the wild and becoming another Tarzan would cure them. Also I was disappointed with the abrupt ending of the story. Still, I think Mr. Burroughs managed to recreate a nice little paleozoic community in the pages of this book.
Caution:
Many characters, male and female, wear only a loincloth (no further detail is given), though this is probably to recreate the authenticity of the prehistoric people. A woman takes a bath in a stream but nothing is seen. Some blood is mentioned during fights with cavemen and panthers, but nothing graphic. Two people kiss.
Lessons:
Our weaknesses can be made into strengths. Men and women are supposed to come together as husband and wife.

Two Book reviews: Gods of Mars is out of this world and Magic of Oz is magical

I guys. I got two books that I'm reviewing today. They're a little older than what you might be used to, but if you enjoy reading you won't care. The first is the second book chronicling adventures on Barsoom, The Gods of Mars:

Rating: Four out of Five stars
Story:
John Carter finds himself back on Barsoom/Mars, except he's come to a heavily forested area. He meets up with the Green Martian Tars Tarkas while fighting off plant men and white apes. John learns he is in the valley Dor, which lies at the end of the river Iss, which all Barsoomians make a trip down when they are ready to die. While fighting his way through John learns of the mysterious but dangerous Therns, while encountering their enemies the Black Martians. Along the way John learns the truth surrounding the religion and superstitions of Barsoom and must expose it before it takes away everything from him.
Edgar Rice Burroughs is always creative with his adventures and his stories. I like how he used religion as a theme in this book and the warning of how people can use ideas and beliefs to manipulate others. It is not meant to demote religion, but to warn that people will try to use it to hide evil intentions. Racism is used as a tool to show the pride of various Martian races. Readers will find themselves with John Carter on a while roller coaster ride.
Caution:
It is mentioned that Barsoomians don't wear clothes, but that is not focused on. Characters are in constant peril. Some Martian races are described as being cannibals. Monsters attack several people, which may scare some readers.
Lessons:
We should not esteem ourselves as better than others. If we give in to pride, it will prove to be our ruin. We shouldn't be close-minded to new ideas. People may claim to have good intentions when they are hiding sinister purposes.

The next book to be reviewed today is The Magic of Oz:

Rating: Five out of Five stars
Story:
Excitement is in the Land of Oz as Dorothy and her many friends are getting ready to celebrate Ozma's birthday. However unknown to them in a corner of Munchkinland a Hyup boy named Kiki Aru has discovered a magic word that allows him to change his form as well as the forms of others. While flying around the countries that surround the Deadly Desert Kiki encounters Rugeddo, the former Nome King, who makes a deal with him for help to conquer Oz. Meanwhile Dorothy and the Wizard are making plans for a special cake for Ozma while her friends Trot and Cap'n Bill seek another gift. Along the way all parties will encounter unexpected magic and one will be wondering if this will all be fixed before Ozma's birthday.
While not as action packed as most stories, L. Frank Baum has certainly not lost his creativity when dealing with the magical land of Oz. Around the corners are characters and places you wouldn't expect. The magic used in this book is fun, but it is also dangerous as well. Truly reminiscing of the wonders and perils of the classic fairy tales, The Magic of Oz is definitely one for fantasy fans.
Caution:
Characters are transformed into animals, but this is more humorous than scary. A couple of characters are trapped on a magic island.
Lessons:
Wickedness never was happiness. We find greater joy when we help others instead of using them for our selfish gain.

Reviews for The Page and The Eternal Savage

Hi everyone. I know usually I only do one book review at a time. However today I'm pleased to say that I will be reviewing two books today.

A heroic knight, villains and dragons working together, and the mystical sword Excalibur. Padraig finds himself questing to rescue a maid from an evil dragon only to be caught up in a war to change the fate of our world. I enjoyed the creativity and imagination regarding what happened after the fall of Camelot. Some parts are a little slow, but overall an enjoyable read for all lovers of fantasy.
Caution
There is some mild swearing in this book. A few times it is mentioned that a knight takes a bath in front of a shocked page. Dragons bleed quite a lot when killed and are mentioned as killing people and eating their liver (though thankfully the characters never see it).
Lessons
When we think ourselves as above others we are prone to fall. The greatest form of love is to be willing to give your life for another. When we use the means God has given us to help others we can accomplish great things. Evil is no match for the power of good. 
Rating
4 out of 5 stars

The Eternal Savage (or The Eternal Lover as my e-book copy is titled) is about Nu, a cave-man who sets out to kill a Smilodon (or Saber-tooth cat) so he can bring the head back and claim Na-Tul, the love of his life, as his mate. However things go wrong and Nu finds himself in the twentieth-century Africa where he meets up with Tarzan and has some adventures before returning back to his time period where he continues to work for Na-Tul.
With all the discoveries made in science we now know that such a story is impossible. Dinosaurs and man didn't live in the same time period, and several of the prehistoric mammals were in the wrong area. Still I enjoyed Nu's loyalty towards Na-Tul and the lengths he went to save her from harm. The ending might surprise you. However if you enjoy the works of Edgar Rice Burroughs you won't want to miss this.
Caution
Nu for most of the story only wears a loin cloth. There is one moment where it mentions him taking a bath (though it doesn't go into detail). Men and animals are killed, mostly for food though the men do kill to protect themselves and others from harm. A woman is seen feeding a child and mentions her chest being exposed.
Lessons
A man and a woman are supposed to come together as husband and wife, and to cherish each other and love each other will full purpose of heart. When we mistreat others we can expect to be mistreated in the end. 
Rating
3 out of 5 stars

Review of the Caspak Trilogy

The Caspak Trilogy is a series of books written by Edgar Rice Burroughs, author of the Tarzan adventures. Edgar Rice Burroughs has written books with prehistoric animals before, like in his Pellucidar series, but this is a trilogy that goes for a lost world angle. The first book in the series is The Land That Time Forgot. During World War I, a German U-Boat sinks an American ship, and a man named Bowen J. Tyler finds himself with a woman named Lys La Rue and his dog, Nobs. They are rescued by a ship, but sunk again by the same U-boat. The surviving crew manage to capture the U-boat and work towards getting back home. However, they get lost and end up at a continent called Caprona (which was named after a fictitious explorer who discovered it). They enter into the continent to find themselves in a prehistoric world filled with dinosaurs and ancient mammals. The natives of this place call the land Caspak, and the people of the U-boat try to set up a colony. However, the German prisoners mutiny and leave the Americans and British on Caspak while they leave. To make matters worse, Lys is abducted and Bowen has to find her while braving the dangers of a primeval world.The sequel, The People That Time Forgot, takes place some time after Bowen's manuscript is found. A rescue party heads to Caprona/Caspak to try and rescue Bowen, Lys, and the survivors. Leading this expedition is Tom Billings, who is an old friend of Bowen's. Tom flies a plane over Caspak, but is brought down by a pterosaur. He rescues a native girl, Ajor, from a prehistoric cat. After being attacked by some ape-men, Tom decides to take Ajor back to her people, the Galu. While traveling, Tom learns that in Caspak, people obtain status through a type of evolutionary progression, with the Galu being the highest form of evolutionary people. Tom learns of a plan to try and conquer the Galu by people who had not reached that stage yet, but are not willing to wait, and must try to stop them before they destroy Ajor's people.The final book in the Caspak Trilogy, Out Of Time's Abyss, concludes the story of Caspak and the people who discovered its secrets. In this story, an expedition that left Fort Dinosaur is returning to its home. This company, led by Bradley, are constantly being visited by a winged human. Bradley is abducted by this human, which is known as a Wieroo, and taken to the Wieroo civilization. He also meets a native girl (who is also a Galu like Ajor) named Co-Tan, who is being held by the Wieroo because she is a cos-ata-lo, or someone who was born a Galu. According to legend, the people who can make cos-ata-lo are meant to become Caspak's rulers. The Weiroo are all male, so they abduct Galu women to try and get female Wieroo, but with no luck. Bradley rescues Co-Tan and escapes from the Wieroo. While falling in love with Co-Tan, Bradley must undergo a deadly journey with lots of twists and surprises to return her to her people.
I am a huge fan of dinosaurs and like to read stories that feature them. However, I think that these stories push things a little too far with the idea of an evolution that takes a lifetime instead of millions of years. The Wieroo are also just plain weird to me. I did enjoy the stories as a whole and wish that Edgar Rice Burroughs did take the time to create more stories in Caspak. I would recommend these stories to anyone who's a fan of prehistory.

Review of Pellucidar

I know you're all probably getting tired of these reviews. Writing a review can actually be good for an author because it lets people know what they've been reading, and can help you decide if you want to read the book or not. For today the book I'll be reviewing is Pellucidar.Pellucidar is the sequel to At the Earth's Core. In this story, David Innes, the protagonist from the first story, returns to Pellucidar after returning to the surface to gather supplies to help the people in their struggle against the Mahars, but upon returning finds that things have not been going well. The people are divided, the Mahars are seeking a secret that was stolen from them, and David cannot find Dian, the woman he loves. To make matters worse, a man named Hooja the Sly One has been causing distrust among the people of Pellucidar.
David manages to find his friend Perry, who accompanies him to the land where David's friend Ja lives. There they make plans to track down Hooja, who people suspect might be working with the Mahars. David makes plans to travel to the Land of Awful Shadow while Perry decides to stay behind. David must once again overcome prehistoric animals, bizarre interior races, and enemies to find Dian, stop Hooja, and overthrow the Mahars once and for all.
I am pleased with the way Edgar Rice Burroughs has created this world within our own. Burroughs manages to create a world that has been left behind in time, and still manages to create characters with strong morals. The way he uses prehistoric animals in this land is incredible too, for some are used in a way that people of ancient times used them. I can officially say that I am a fan of Edgar Rice Burroughs Pellucidar series.

Review of At the Earth's Core

First off, sorry about no update yesterday. My time didn't go the way I had hoped it would. Well, I'll do one of the blogs I promised, and that blog is about the book At the Earth's Core.Most people know Edgar Rice Burroughs for his Tarzan stories, but he wrote many other books besides Tarzan. At the Earth's Core is the first of his Pellucidar series, which takes place in a world hidden beneath the Earth's crust (kind of like Jules Verne's A Journey to the Center of the Earth).
The story beginnings with David Innes, an heir to a miner's fortune, who goes with a friend, named Perry, in an invention of his called the Iron Mole. He plans to dig really deep into the Earth's crust to disprove a scientific theory. Things go according to plan, except for one problem: They find themselves unable to turn around!
The Iron Mole keeps digging into the Earth until they finally come out in something that's impossible. David and Perry find themselves inside a hollow world deep inside the Earth, where prehistoric animals still live. They get captured as slaves for a race of creatures called Mahars, who have the local humans under their control.
From their fellow slaves, David and Perry learn that the land is called Pellucidar, and the Mahars are the dominant species here. David develops a crush on a cave girl named Dian, but offends her on accident. As the story progresses, David and Perry must find a way to escape the Mahars, make amends to Dian, and help the people of Pellucidar overthrow the Mahars.
Edgar Rice Burroughs has created a great story in this book, one inspired by science and novels alike. He has succeeded in making Pellucidar a primordial world fans of adventure stories and/or dinosaurs will like. I was pleased when I saw that the characters had such good control over their emotions when they could have easily lost control. I look forward to reading the next book in the Pellucidar series, Pellucidar.