APPublished Author  Veteran Member Posts:346  
| 3/2/2009 10:09 AM |
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Now that I don't work for GE anymore, though I still have one completed DL in the production pipeline, I feel free to do the unexpected and post on this site, which I have followed (lurked) for seven or eight years.
Got to say, I never would have taken this step if it hadn't been for Ron Miles. He truly understands the predicaments of the DL writers post-LJ--and now the predicaments of the authors of OL since that series is no longer a one-man op.
At any rate, here I am. If you have questions, I will try to answer them.
If you're reading this post, thanks. If you've read any of my DL books, more thanks; if they gave you some pleasure, I am most gratified.
AP |
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Ron MilesWebsite Owner  Commander In Chief Posts:864 
| 3/2/2009 11:48 AM |
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Alan,
Welcome aboard, it is a pleasure to see you here! For anyone who is unaware, Alan is the author of the two most recent DL titles (Plague Lords and Dark Resurrection), as well as several others. I rank his title Cannibal Moon as easily the best DL book in recent years. You can see a complete listing of his DL books here. "Sadly then I knew the answer. All her life she was a dancer, but no one ever played the song she knew." - The Residents
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Wordsmith-repriseFreelance Editor  Basic Member Posts:150 
| 3/2/2009 3:43 PM |
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Hiya, Al!
So nice to have one of my favorite authors drop by. Do you plan to publish one last DL-centric newsletter? |
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Shulpae New Member Posts:23
| 3/2/2009 3:43 PM |
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Mr. Phillipson;
I have read every “Deathlands” book there is up to “Plaque Lord” and every “Outlanders” up to “Death Cry”, so I believe I know the story. I have also read the three “Earth Blood” books. You could say I read too much. With you new book, “Plaque Lord”, you have managed to take the series in a new direction. I can not wait to read the next book in the series, “Dark Resurrection”, which you also wrote. You are a very gifted writer. When I think about the other books in this series you have written, I believe they were really good books. Thank you.
From your post, you seem to be finished writing for “Deathlands”. That is a shame because you have managed to break away from the standard and produce a good story. This may be putting the cart before the horse, because you have already succeeded in doing so, but I will tell you why I am interested in the James Axler series. I am interested in what will happen if humankind ever looses the handle that they have on this earth. I believe books like this were very popular back in the 70’s. Be it from a collision from an asteroid, nuclear o natural. How do we adapt? What tools that we have now will last, how do we change, how do we survive? I can ask a thousand questions but you can make a story out of an answer. I story that I will pay to listen too.
There is obviously more to the story of why you are living James Axler than I am aware of. I would assume it is probably money or someone there at Gold Eagle made you mad. I really don’t know and don’t want to know. I do know that Gold Eagle will be missing a good author. Neh, a fantastic author.
I admit, I get stuck in a grove, but how do I find books you have written in the future? Right now I am reading all of Rouge Angel. Are you starting to write you own series? I would really like to read some of your future stories.
Good luck in your future.
Shulpae (a Sumerian God, husband of Ninhursag)
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APPublished Author Veteran Member Posts:346
| 3/2/2009 8:07 PM |
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Thanks to Ron and Shulpae (great name!) for the very kind words. Much appreciated.
I thought Plague Lords/Dark Resurrection were going to be my last-ever books for GE. But for reasons beyond my control it didn’t quite work out that way. Having written in the DL series for more than a decade, having dealt with its built-in problems and creative limitations, in my “final duology” I decided to use the yawning holes LJ had left in the canon to kick out the jambs—to make the whole of the mysterious, unexplored post-nuke world fair game for the writers who came after me. I only wish I’d done it sooner.
I also felt that in some way I had to pay my respects to all the pulp writers I’ve known over a quarter-century—talented authors who either stuck it out, or hung up the writer-for-hire holster and moved on to other things. I won’t list their names here, they know who they are. The duology’s “Daniel Desipio” represents a composite of my professional experience and my (perhaps skewed) understanding of theirs. Like Desipio, all pulp writers yearn to be appreciated, to be fairly compensated for their efforts, to create something memorable before they die, but his desire/frustration/desperation drives him to do unthinkable, unspeakable things to others—and to himself. A tragic-comic figure seemed the appropriate tongue-in-cheek salute.
Having quit GE, I’m not going to volunteer for a bizarre scientific experiment on a Panamanian jungle island. But I am going to do some experimenting now that I’m free. If you check back on this site, you’ll learn what I’m writing next. A hint: I seem to be at least temporarily stuck in Apocalyptica—a demon that needs to be fully and finally exorcized.
When you find out what my next project is, Shulpae, I hope it makes you bust out laughing. |
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APPublished Author Veteran Member Posts:346
| 3/2/2009 8:14 PM |
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[QUOTE]Wordsmith-reprise wrote
Hiya, Al!
So nice to have one of my favorite authors drop by. Do you plan to publish one last DL-centric newsletter?
[/QUOTE]
Maybe just for you, dear friend. |
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skullspliterNew Member Posts:63 
| 3/9/2009 1:20 PM |
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Mr. Philipson i must say the books you wrote in my opinion are some of the best and as for the new one's in DL you sir have breathed new life back in to the series +1 . It sorry to hear you leave but you have to do what you have to do. thanks again for some great story's |
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APPublished Author Veteran Member Posts:346
| 3/9/2009 1:25 PM |
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Skullspliter, again thanks for the kind words. Much appreciated.
AP |
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Revo-RayNew Member Posts:8 
| 3/9/2009 9:43 PM |
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Hahaha, you can tell you come to the forum. In Dark Resurection, you mentioned two things that made me chuckle. The first is, Daniel mentions about the writings of books and their continuity (I made a post about this exact thing), the second was when he was in the medical boat he mentioned the forum for his book and that their were only about 8 people who ever looked or visited the books forum. I believe there are more posters in the Deathland/Outlanders forum, I hope. Thank you for your contribution to a series that I love. |
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APPublished Author Veteran Member Posts:346
| 3/9/2009 10:57 PM |
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Revo-Ray, if Daniel Desipio made you laugh once in Dark Resurrection it made my day. If he made you laugh twice, it made my week. Thanks for reading the DL books. |
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ShulpaeNew Member Posts:23
| 3/30/2009 6:44 PM |
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Just finished reading Dark Resurrection and it was fantastic. The Deathlands books have were stuck in a grove that you have broken out of. I hope that the next writers manage to keep the ball in the air as you have. You have left a few tidbits of stories for them to build on. For instance, at the end you bring up the “fat, spiral-bound notebook” that looks like it was written in Sanskrit. Future writers might build upon that. I have your site ( http://officialalanphilipson.com/vault/) and have subscribed to your newsletter. Hope to read more of your work in the future. Please tell us what you are working on. Fair winds. |
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APPublished Author Veteran Member Posts:346
| 3/30/2009 6:56 PM |
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Posted By Shulpae on 30 Mar 2009 06:44 PM
Just finished reading Dark Resurrection and it was fantastic. The Deathlands books have were stuck in a grove that you have broken out of. I hope that the next writers manage to keep the ball in the air as you have. You have left a few tidbits of stories for them to build on. For instance, at the end you bring up the “fat, spiral-bound notebook” that looks like it was written in Sanskrit. Future writers might build upon that.
I have your site (http://officialalanphilipson.com/vault/) and have subscribed to your newsletter. Hope to read more of your work in the future. Please tell us what you are working on. Fair winds.
Thanks for the kind words, Shulpae. In regard to my future work, please check back on this site on April Fool's Day (Wednesday). A surprise awaits. |
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JerichoGirlNew Member Posts:9
| 3/30/2009 9:09 PM |
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Greetings Alan!
I have just finished Plague Lords and Dark Resurrection, and I have to say.....WOW!!!!
I have read all the Deathlands books, and have been a long-time fan since the beginning...but those last two are the BEST EVER!!!! I hope you or future writers continue on with the evil alien visitors you introduced at the end of Dark Resurrection.
I haven't read any of the Outlanders books yet, but will probably start on them soon since I'm all caught up on Deathlands again......but no matter how good Outlanders is, it will never be the same as my much-loved Ryan, Krysty, Jak, JB, Mildred, and the one-and-only Doc!
I just wanted to write you and tell you THANK YOU for all your efforts in bringing this series back to life. I managed to get through Strontium Swamp, and for the first time ever, just skimmed through Ritual Chill....it was so bad I couldn't read every word....but Plague Lords and Dark Resurrection were AWESOME!!!!!!
Apocalypse Unborn, is also one of my all-time favorites, so a big THANK YOU for that one too!
Lisa in Florida
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Ron MilesWebsite Owner Commander In Chief Posts:864
| 3/30/2009 10:02 PM |
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Lisa, thanks for taking the time to say hello! By all means don't be a stranger, we are happy to have you on board.
"Sadly then I knew the answer. All her life she was a dancer, but no one ever played the song she knew." - The Residents
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APPublished Author Veteran Member Posts:346
| 3/30/2009 10:54 PM |
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Posted By JerichoGirl on 30 Mar 2009 09:09 PM
Greetings Alan!
I have just finished Plague Lords and Dark Resurrection, and I have to say.....WOW!!!!
I have read all the Deathlands books, and have been a long-time fan since the beginning...but those last two are the BEST EVER!!!! I hope you or future writers continue on with the evil alien visitors you introduced at the end of Dark Resurrection.
I haven't read any of the Outlanders books yet, but will probably start on them soon since I'm all caught up on Deathlands again......but no matter how good Outlanders is, it will never be the same as my much-loved Ryan, Krysty, Jak, JB, Mildred, and the one-and-only Doc!
I just wanted to write you and tell you THANK YOU for all your efforts in bringing this series back to life. I managed to get through Strontium Swamp, and for the first time ever, just skimmed through Ritual Chill....it was so bad I couldn't read every word....but Plague Lords and Dark Resurrection were AWESOME!!!!!!
Apocalypse Unborn, is also one of my all-time favorites, so a big THANK YOU for that one too!
Lisa in Florida Great to hear from you, Lisa. So pleased that you liked my DL books. Don't know what the other DL writers are going to do with what I left them in PL/DR. My final DL for Gold Eagle is Doom Helix, the last book in the Shadow World Trilogy (Shadow World, Breakthrough, Doom Helix). It kind of puts the icing on that cake. As to what's coming next from me, and since you enjoyed PL/DR, you might want to check back on this site on Wednesday, April Fool's Day. Thanks for posting. Like Ron said, don't be a stranger. |
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JettaManDanBasic Member Posts:252 
| 4/9/2009 9:21 AM |
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Alan,
I was an absolute pleasure to talk to you over e-mail and get your responses to my questions. I did not expect a author of your caliber to have the time to write back to me so quickly and with such helpful advice! Thank you for your contributions to my favorite book series of al ltime and for your willingness to talk to the common folk!
Dan
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APPublished Author Veteran Member Posts:346
| 4/9/2009 9:45 AM |
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Posted By JettaManDan on 09 Apr 2009 09:21 AM
Alan,
I was an absolute pleasure to talk to you over e-mail and get your responses to my questions. I did not expect a author of your caliber to have the time to write back to me so quickly and with such helpful advice! Thank you for your contributions to my favorite book series of al ltime and for your willingness to talk to the common folk!
Dan I enjoyed your emails, too. You know, I've never considered myself anything but "common folk." In light of your post I may have to rethink all that now--a little bitty crown and mini-scepter for wearing around the house? There's not much point in having 25 years of experience if you can't share the lessons you've learned (usually the hard way). Good luck on your writing project! And that other thing ...  |
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DiabloBasic Member Posts:125 
| 4/11/2009 4:23 AM |
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Wow...I've been sittin here thinking....AP has hit the nail on the head with Daniel..I'm Daniel.....AP is Daniel.....most of you are Daniels....This Daniel is gona miss you AP
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APPublished Author Veteran Member Posts:346
| 4/11/2009 2:22 PM |
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Posted By Diablo on 11 Apr 2009 04:23 AM
Wow...I've been sittin here thinking....AP has hit the nail on the head with Daniel..I'm Daniel.....AP is Daniel.....most of you are Daniels....This Daniel is gona miss you AP A veritable Plague of Daniels.  As Jak Lauren might say: "AP not gone. Mat-transed to SR.com. INP, she triple hot." |
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JettaManDanBasic Member Posts:252
| 4/13/2009 12:14 PM |
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We are a small but dedicated bunch of Dan's here  you gave me a hint Alan that my request might go unanswered and you were correct..it's sad...i wish i had tought to contact you earlier with that request..oh well..hopefully i'm around when the author after next is wrirting and might be more recpetive! maybe if you take SR to a full book we can include what i wanted... I have now read the 1st champter of SR and i was intrigued....a little tie in possibly to your other works?....very cool.... |
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Ron MilesWebsite Owner Commander In Chief Posts:864
| 4/13/2009 12:30 PM |
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Posted By JettaManDan on 13 Apr 2009 12:14 PM
I have now read the 1st champter of SR and i was intrigued....a little tie in possibly to your other works?....very cool....
To be perfectly clear: Slaughter Realms is a completely distinct and separate entity, with no relation to Gold Eagle in any way. All content in Slaughter Realms: Iroquois Vengeance comes purely from the mind of Daniel Desipio, with the welcome assistance of Alan Philipson in helping to turn a severely damaged manuscript into something printable. There is not even the slightest hint of a possibility of a tie in from SR: IV to Deathlands. "Sadly then I knew the answer. All her life she was a dancer, but no one ever played the song she knew." - The Residents
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APPublished Author Veteran Member Posts:346
| 4/13/2009 1:28 PM |
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Posted By Ron Miles on 13 Apr 2009 12:30 PM
Posted By JettaManDan on 13 Apr 2009 12:14 PM
I have now read the 1st champter of SR and i was intrigued....a little tie in possibly to your other works?....very cool....
To be perfectly clear: Slaughter Realms is a completely distinct and separate entity, with no relation to Gold Eagle in any way. All content in Slaughter Realms: Iroquois Vengeance comes purely from the mind of Daniel Desipio, with the welcome assistance of Alan Philipson in helping to turn a severely damaged manuscript into something printable. There is not even the slightest hint of a possibility of a tie in from SR: IV to Deathlands.
To further clarify the absolute lack of connection between SR and GE: Daniel Desipio does not appear as a character in the book Slaughter Realms: Iroquois Vengeance, or any other book in the SR series. Though Ron and I have reason to suspect he is the author of a particular, "lost SR manuscript," it is entirely possible that after writing 29 books he farmed out the work to a hack even more desperate than he was—and from the looks of some of the prose, possibly a person to whom English was a very shaky Second Language. (Look up the meaning of the word “desipio” in Latin.  ) None of the DL central characters (the companions, barons, muties, etc.) appear in or are referred to in any SR book. None of the key elements of the DL saga/backstory are present in SR. (It’s a different sort of Apocalypse: different causative factors, different outcomes.) The SR series concept and its characters are unique and distinct. They were not developed in a meaningful way in any GE book, did not exist anywhere in a copyrightable or trademarkable form until April 1st, 2009, and are wholly owned (for better or worse) by the Pulp Devil Press. |
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JettaManDanBasic Member Posts:252
| 4/13/2009 4:49 PM |
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Oh i wasn't saying anything of the sort...i just saw an interesting side-tie-in - aliens....time trawling..etc...all good parts to use...i can see they stories are very divergent and not replated at all...wasn't implying that..but some of the best concepts can be used for a different stories..and i enjoyed that for sure..that is all :-)
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APPublished Author Veteran Member Posts:346
| 4/13/2009 5:44 PM |
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Posted By JettaManDan on 13 Apr 2009 04:49 PM
Oh i wasn't saying anything of the sort...i just saw an interesting side-tie-in - aliens....time trawling..etc...all good parts to use...i can see they stories are very divergent and not replated at all...wasn't implying that..but some of the best concepts can be used for a different stories..and i enjoyed that for sure..that is all :-) Dan, Didn't mean to go Medieval on your backside. But stuff needed to be said (at least twice, apparently ), and you were so gracious as to give Ron and me the chance to let fly. You're right, nobody "owns" the concepts of time travel, aliens, hot chicks with edged weapons, or "brains in a jar" (Thinking of "Abby Normal" in Young Frankenstein, and the various "disembodied brain goes wild" B-movies of the late 50s and 60s.). Good thing, too. Otherwise what would pulp authors write about? Healthcare system reform?  |
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Ron MilesWebsite Owner Commander In Chief Posts:864
| 4/13/2009 5:52 PM |
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Posted By AP on 13 Apr 2009 05:44 PM
Good thing, too. Otherwise what would pulp authors write about? Healthcare system reform?
Coming this winter at SlaughterRealms.com - Slaughter Realms: Prorated Debenture Investment Vehicle of Doom!"Sadly then I knew the answer. All her life she was a dancer, but no one ever played the song she knew." - The Residents
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Cerberus ManBasic Member Posts:144
| 4/13/2009 6:07 PM |
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Posted By JettaManDan on 13 Apr 2009 04:49 PM
Oh i wasn't saying anything of the sort...i just saw an interesting side-tie-in - aliens....time trawling..etc...all good parts to use...i can see they stories are very divergent and not replated at all...wasn't implying that..but some of the best concepts can be used for a different stories..and i enjoyed that for sure..that is all :-) Sound like a pretty traditional Outlanders book to me. "It's better to have a blaster and not need it than to need it and--"
"Oh, spare me," Brigid said irritably.
(Kane and Brigid Baptiste from Armageddon Axis)
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APPublished Author Veteran Member Posts:346
| 4/13/2009 6:55 PM |
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Posted By Cerberus Man on 13 Apr 2009 06:07 PM
Posted By JettaManDan on 13 Apr 2009 04:49 PM
Oh i wasn't saying anything of the sort...i just saw an interesting side-tie-in - aliens....time trawling..etc...all good parts to use...i can see they stories are very divergent and not replated at all...wasn't implying that..but some of the best concepts can be used for a different stories..and i enjoyed that for sure..that is all :-)
Sound like a pretty traditional Outlanders book to me. Yeah, that's what I'm all about: poaching a colleague's series. Give me an effing break.  |
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Cerberus ManBasic Member Posts:144
| 4/14/2009 1:08 AM |
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That's not what I meant at all. I was responding only to Jettaman's comment about aliens and time-trawling which are elements that veteran members of this site associate with Outlanders.
I'm sorry if I didn't make that clear. I was by no means implying you poached from OL or anything else. "It's better to have a blaster and not need it than to need it and--"
"Oh, spare me," Brigid said irritably.
(Kane and Brigid Baptiste from Armageddon Axis)
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APPublished Author Veteran Member Posts:346
| 4/14/2009 9:38 AM |
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Posted By Cerberus Man on 14 Apr 2009 01:08 AM
That's not what I meant at all. I was responding only to Jettaman's comment about aliens and time-trawling which are elements that veteran members of this site associate with Outlanders.
I'm sorry if I didn't make that clear. I was by no means implying you poached from OL or anything else. Apology accepted. |
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JettaManDanBasic Member Posts:252
| 4/14/2009 9:48 AM |
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wow..didn't mean to set off a fire storm! i don't think aliens or time travel are a specific concept to OL or any other book or movie or show....hell i can't read a SciFi book without mention of those 2 idea pretty much! I like it...makes me feel warm and fuzzy...heck i'm trying to write my own book and theire will be aliens in it as well! Go aliens!! Especially when they are super yummy like 7 of 9 ;-)
actually...one of the things i have enjoyed the most about OL and DL and EB and all the rest are the orginality of all the concepts, and human history twists and turns that have been presented....the seres have kept me interested for 15 years...i mean what better recommendation can i give than that? I own every book in all 3 series...and i usually read other books and give them to friends or donate them to a library...i will never give these books up....they are part of my life in a few ways....good ways!
Now Alan..back to work on chaper # 2 for SR!!! :-)
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