http://www.amazon.com/review/RHX... ( )

Recommended by Lauri. The problem with jumping into a really long series in the middle (or at the end, as in this case) is that there are a host of established characters that you don't have any particular attachment to. It's a hard balancing act to introduce these characters in a way that doesn't bore your faithful long-time readers, but still forms a bond with the new ones. This book didn't really work for me as a member of the latter category.

The book starts with a long road-tripping sequence, which serves to establish the characters and provide some meaty character development. I'm sure this is appealing to old fans, but as a newcomer I was just waiting for them to get the setup over with and start on the adventure. I was fated to disappointment, since the road-tripping was a large part of the adventure. The more typical adventure material came and went in about the last third of the book. There wasn't much feeling of danger; most of the tension was between characters. Again, I'm sure this appeals to fans who've seen these characters grow and change, but it wasn't very exciting to me. ( )

http://home.earthlink.net/~karen20000... ( )

Robinson's sixth book in the Callahan's Place universe (or eighth if you count the two "Lady Sally" books) moves the action from New York to Florida . . . specifically Key West. The plot (Jake Stonebender and the rest of the usual suspects save the universe against unimaginable odds) feels a little recycled, and the characterizations a little sketchy, but the book is still a delightful ride for dedicated fans of the series (like me). ( )

So I skipped some of the novels on the way to this one, but it was fun nonetheless. Nikki, my favorite character, shows up again, and ... well they save the world. again. with style. and o my word the puns. ( )