Elfquest: Journey to Sorrow's End [Paperback]

Wendy Pini (Author), Richard Pini (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1, 1984

When the Holt, a forest haven for persecuted elves, is invaded and destroyed, a small but gallant band of Wolfriders must search the world over for a place not contaminated by humans. Reprint.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"...one of the most important works in American fantasy..."  --American Library Association

"Simply superb in all directions.  Realistic and dynamic...It is a work of art."  --Science Fiction Review --This text refers to the Audio Cassette edition.

From the Inside Flap

Read by a full cast
Two cassettes / 2 hours 57 mins.

The Holt was a forest haven for persecuted elves, until it was invaded and destroyed.  Now a small but gallant band of Wolfriders must search the world for a place not contaminated by humans--a place where legends say other elves live in peace and safety.  If it's not already too late...

"From their hiding place behind the bushes, Cutter and Skywise winced in horror.  "Cutter, those skulls" came Skywise's mental question.
"Don't worry," said Cutter aloud.  "Redlance's won't hang among them.  I swear it!"
Skywise gulped.  To rescue Redlance meant fighting the humans.  He could think of many other things he'd rather do..."

"ELFQUEST" started as a comic about elves, but over time it took on a life and will of its own.  It has grown into a series of full-length novels, and eventually will be seen as a feature film. --This text refers to the Audio Cassette edition.

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Product Details

• Paperback
• Publisher: Berkley (March 1, 1984)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0425070093
• ISBN-13: 978-0425070093
• Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 4 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,447,662 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautifully written, lyrical, mythical., May 14, 2002

By 

Cas (the Idaho mountains) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Elfquest: Journey to Sorrows End (Mass Market Paperback)

How do you rate something like this? Wendy Pini has an exquisite sense of pacing, a master's command of the English language, and a grand story to tell. Without hesitation I would recommend any of her works.

This is the first book in the series. Told in text form, it stands easily on its own -- people who don't have or want the graphic art series won't miss anything here. It tells the story of a band of elves who are persecuted out of their home and must find a new one before they die in the desert. Along the way they encounter a new band of elves, hostile trolls, and some even more hostile humans. Sure, they're elves and they're cute, but these elves have courage, heart, and compassion -- they are as accessible and understandable as we are, metaphors for what we wish we could be.

Unlike many novelizations of graphic art, this book is accessible to newcomers and doesn't leave out important things. It expands some parts of the graphic art series, adding details like background, private thoughts, and extra interactions.

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent!, May 5, 2000

By 

Honeyhue (Rushwater Holt) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Elfquest: Journey to Sorrows End (Mass Market Paperback)

Although the story is fantastical in nature, it holds the universality of wanting a place to belong, fate, overcoming fears, and the conflict between man and the unknown. Wendi and Richard's textual adaptations of their first five comics offer a new look to the story, and a great deal more detail. Written from a third-person view, it allows the reader to feel like a part of the group, while not having to feel like their suffering all he hardships that the elves feel. The biggest things that drew me to this book, were the characters. They are so complexly simple, that it's hard to remember, sometimes, that they were originally ink and paper drawings, telling their stories through pictures, as well as words. Secondarily, I was drawn by the world, itself. How clearly and vividly it's described has captured me from the first time I even heard of Abode, distinctly the fact that it was inhabited by such creatures as the elves and their bonded wolves. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoyed realms of magic, love, fantasy, trial, or challenge. It holds all of these, and much, much more within it's comforting arms, and is definitely an excellent escape from reality.

5.0 out of 5 stars BREATHTAKING!!!!!, March 28, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Elfquest: Journey to Sorrows End (Mass Market Paperback)

I stumbled across this novel on accident: I remember thinking, "how complex can a story about some elves be???" Was I wrong!!! These elves ain't about no cookies, okay??? They have a rich heritage and stunning characterizations, and--like the humans they clash with--have the normal range of bonds and emotions. I love the characters, and their quest to find their origin isn't unlike ours. If you want a rich, classic story that entertains on all levels, or if you want to see what the big fuss is about the Pinis, this is a great place to start. STUNNING!!!!