The Kingdoms and the Elves of the Reaches (A Fantasy Adventure Series) [NOOK Book]

This book is amazing! If you love adventurous stories you will love this book!

This book is not for those who can't appreciate a little imagination. To start, the author was very creative with his monsters and magic - it's all very different from most. The details and visuals were smooth, and I never had to look at a page and think "What the heck is happening now?" Of course, there are skeptics who claim this to be a sloppy fantasy, but I think otherwise. The action scenes never appeared unrealistic, and in one part Vilmos even blacks out for the fighting. One thing I liked was how you could immediately take in Adrina's views and Vilmos's views. It began with Vilmos's terrifying encounter with dark forces and Adrina's strange visitors, right off you know something a little weird is happening. I love this book-I've read it 3 times and counting.... and I only discovered these books a little over a month ago.

3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

SHORT BOOK. NOT BAD

LOTS OF JUNK AT END OF BOOK. SAME JUNK IN EVERY BOOK OF THE SERIES.
SHORT BOOKS. GOOD STORY LINE.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

You can never be too old for Ruin Mist

I'M FINISHED READING THE EIGHT (8) BOOKS!!!

I can hardly believe how much I enjoyed reading Robert Stanek's "Keeper Martin's Tales."

I finished book 8, "In the Service of Dragons 4" today during my lunch break. At the finish, I wanted to stand and tell everyone how much I enjoyed these books and how badly they needed to read them. I should've but I didn't. I went back to work instead.

Let me be honest about something here.

Reading these books "changed" something inside of me. Yup. They opened my own imagination and my own thought-processes and my own wonderment of just how much fun reading can be.

I was on the footbal field one day after reading book 3, I think, when I saw a hawk far off and I imagined I was soaring with it like Ayrian.

Another day, I actually TRIED to draw the characters as I saw them. Seriously - I filled my sketchpad.

All that to say that these books are timeless and magical and I will enjoy reading again and again!

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Wow!

I made fun of my friends when I caught them reading this in grade 7. Then I read the books when I was sick from the flu and ended up reading books 1-4 consecutively (with aching eyes and all)- it's THAT good!

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Totally amazing!!!!!!!!!!

Kingdoms and the Elves of the Reaches is a totally amazing book. The whole entire series is amazing. I started reading it because all my friends were reading it. I was like asking them about it and they were like you should read it so I did and it was the best out of all the books I've read and I've read over 200 books!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Epic Fantasy at its greatest

A suprisingly good start to an amazing series, I have never regreted reading this book or reccomending it to others. I absolutely love the characters in Robert Stanek's novel, as they are always so well done. This, coupled with lush details, make it seem like you are actually part of the world, and it is a wonderful experience. The plot is excellent as well, and does a great job of entertaining the reader. I highly reccomend both this book, and the rest of the series, as one of the greatest characteristics of Robert Stanek's writing is that as the series go on, the novels keep getting better and better.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

The kingdoms of men are in danger

I love this entire series and the movie is supposed to be coming out next year so I figured I would give it another read. This book is a lot of fun - definitely my favorite series of books - but probably not the best of all the books. I also felt especially in this novel that Stanek holds up very well in giving us female characters as strong (perhaps even stronger?) than the boys. Many other fantasy authors don't do quite as well with female characters or who are as balanced between the sexes as Stanek manages with Vilmos, Adrina, Seth, and Myrial. The girls are as bright, brave, and capable as the boys.

Awesome!

This is my favorite book of all time. I could go on and on about the amazingness of the book. I reread it 3 times. READ THIS!!!

Long live the Kingdoms!!

Amazing, beautifully written, stunning. This is the beginning of what is without doubt one of the great fantasy series ever written. Like many others I had thought that Lord of the Rings was the crowning acheivement of the genre. This changed my mind but not because of heavy, flowery prose but because of intelligent writing, interesting characters, powerful themes, and intense plotting. When viewed as a whole, this book and the series it is part of not only have incredible depth but enough magical adventure, mystery, action and mayhem to please even the most reluctant of readers. Stanek does an incredible job developing a fantasy world rich in history, and I enjoyed the many parallels to our own world and times. If there wasn't anything here that was special, Stanek's ideas wouldn't get ripped off so frequently. Stanek's unique approach has been borrowed from many times by many recent authors (so the haters out there should probably pick up a book by Patrick Carmen or a Spiderwick Holly Black book or any of the other books by recent/new authors who borrow heavily from Stanek's style, approach, themes,... Some books, like The Spiderwick Chronicles, borrow just about everything from Stanek's approach down to the very way he introduces and reveals the villian.) I loved everything about this amazing series. I was thrilled by the mysterious and fearsome wolmerrelle. I was in awe of trio championships. The idea that messages can be sent in dreams is fascinating. I relished every new discovery the characters made, like the Mouth of the World and the Dragon Tower. The dragon tower and the dragon king himself are simply amazing. I loved the many memorably characters. I loved the mystery and intrigue, and it is just as gritty, suprising, and often as stunning as the battles. Stanek has a gift to write beautifully and to tell amazing tales of heroes and epic adventures. I recommend this novel and the entire series to anyone who that is looking for a great read. This book introduces the world and sets up the story. The other books make it one of the best ever. Start with this one, The Kingdoms and the Elves #1 and keep going with #2, #3, and #4, then read In the Services of Dragons #1, #2, #3, and #4. Happy reading!

The BEST book I have ever read in my life

I wasn't really sure if this book {and the others} would be something I wanted to read. But it turns out, I was wrong and I was into the first chapter before I realized this was a good book. Believe me, if you like adventure, mixed with magic, action, humor, and mystery, you will absolutely LOVE Kingdoms and Elves. I hear a lot of other people do.

Not just for kids

I was a late comer to the Kingdoms and Elves craze - I am a 20 year old video game and music junkie and even I found time to read and ENJOY these gems of modern literature. Robert Stanek paints such vivid pictures of young Adrina and Vilmos and their world that you can't help but become trapped in the magical world and forget for the time that you are reading.

Great book!

I gave 'Kingdoms and the Elves of the Reaches' 5 stars to Robert Stanek because this book was astonishing!! It was an 'On the edge of your seat' book. I would highly recommend this book to any one, Old or young. Heck my mom read this and she LOVED it! Everyone I know who read it LOVED it too. It was a ver breath-taking story that will definately not dissapoint you in any way. This book had it all, action, humor, drama, and mystery. If you like any of them topics, you will LOVE this book!

Refreshing new voice in fantasy

I've read all four of the Kingdoms & Elves books multiple times, and am eagerly awaiting the fifth. 'Kingdoms & the Elves of the Reaches' is a book about an 12 year old boy who lives with people he thinks are his parents and a 13 year old girl who lives in a faraway kingdom. All his life, Vilmos heard that magic was evil, he¿s bad because he has magic powers, and the dark priests are going to get him. Then, one night, his life is changed forever... Vilmos finds out the truth about himself and his magic, and goes with the wizard Xith to learn all about being a wizard. He makes both friends and enemies there. He soon finds out that he is different, even for a wizard. And in his case, different can be deadly... I won't tell any more here, or I know I'll give the whole book away. But I strongly suggest that you read it. I believe that this book and the ones following are very enjoyable, and I strongly recommend it.

Great book, really captures your interest and imagination.

I am a 6th grade math teacher and avid reader. I can't believe I have waited this long to start the Kingdoms and the Elves series. I was curious to read what my students were so excited about. I read this book in a day! What wonderful description and character development! I felt as if I were a kid again, being transported to an enchanting new world. I loved reading this book and have read the next two as well. It has become an addiction. I now understand why my students are so excited about Kingdoms and the Elves!

Awesome!

This is the best book and the best series ever!

Fantastic!!!

This book is the best book I have read all year! First Vilmos (main character) flees to his home, then they (Xith, Midori and Vilmos) go save the world. This book is very interesting. It has a great plot line and great characters. The base of the story is original and exiting, it will make a great holiday present!

A WONDERFUL book!!!

This book was such a surprise! It's great for EVERYONE! Even my older brother, who's quite the jock, enjoyed it. It's so original, and trust me, even though the first book is spectactular, each one gets better! Get started on this book, and you will be on your way to many more GREAT adventures!

The best books!!!

This by far the best book. It takes you on unexpected twists, especially concerning Emel and Adrina (not going to say what!). It was wonderful how Vilmos found xith. I can't wait till the 5th one comes out!

kingdoms and elves

Robert Stanek captivates and stimulates the imagination. He's a great author. I started reading his Ruin Mist series last year. It's great! The books are intense and full of human themes, and are a good read for anyone. The main characters are Adrina, Vilmos, Emel, Galan and Seth. They are all different and unique. A MUST READ!

Outstanding!!!

I absolutely loved this book! It is very creative and so, so, so brillant! I read it very quickly because it was so hard to put down. This is my all time favorite book.