Elvenblood (Halfblood Chronicles) [Mass Market Paperback]

Andre Norton (Author), Mercedes Lackey (Author)

Book Description

Series: Halfblood Chronicles | Publication Date: April 15, 1996

The powerful magic of ruthless Elvenlord masters has for centuries rules the world. Even Shana, the legendary Elvenbane prophesied to deliver the oppressed into freedom, is helpless before such power. She and her ragtag band of outcasts, half-blood wizards, escaped human slaves, and free-thinking dragons have gained only a token victory against the mighty lords.

Only the long-forgotten Iron People, a band of human nomads, have escaped the tyranny of the reigning wizards. How have they survived through the centuries?

As the winds of change sweep the world, and as tensions seething beneath the surface of Elven society threaten to break into open revolt. Shana meets the ancient tribe. Could an age-old secret free Shana and her people...or will its discovery call down their doom.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"The talents of collaborators Norton and lackey lend seamlessly as they expand the background to their epic fantasy..."--Library Journal

About the Author

Andre Norton (1912-2005) was one of the most popular science fiction and fantasy authors in the world. From SF series such as Solar Queen and Beast Master, to fantasy series such as Witch World, Norton’s work has enthralled readers for decades. She was lauded as a Grand Master by the Science Fiction Writers of America and  received a Life Achievement Award from the World Fantasy Convention. An Ohio native, Ms. Norton lived for a number of years in Winter Park, Florida, and then moved to Murfreesboro, Tennessee, where she lived until her death in 2005.

 

Mercedes Lackey is the author of the bestselling Valdemar series, the Obsidian Trilogy with James Mallory (The Outstretched Shadow, To Light a Candle, and When Darkness Falls), the Enduring Flame trilogy with James Mallory (The Phoenix Unchained, The Phoenix Endangered, and The Phoenix Transformed), and the Tales of the Five Hundred Kingdoms.  She has written many other books, including Trio of Sorcery, Phoenyx and Ashes, Sacred Ground, The Firebird, The Fairy Godmother, and Alta. Mercedes Lackey was born in Chicago and graduated from Purdue University. She has worked as an artist’s model, a computer programmer, and for American Airlines, and has written lyrics and recorded more than fifty songs. She lives in Oklahoma.

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Tor Fantasy (April 15, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0812563190
• ISBN-13: 978-0812563191
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.2 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (27 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #551,693 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #5 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Science Fiction & Fantasy > Authors, A-Z > ( N ) > Norton, Andre
  • #63 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Science Fiction & Fantasy > Authors, A-Z > ( L ) > Lackey, Mercedes

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Poorly Written/Edited & but decent story, December 19, 2003

By 

S. Corbelli "sbulka" (Beaverton, OR United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Elvenblood (Halfblood Chronicles) (Mass Market Paperback)

I liked both this book and its predecessor but I thought both were poorly written and edited, the second more so than the first. The beginning of the first book started well, with rich descriptions of the world and the things in them, but by the end of the book I felt like I was being told a story by a child who was making things up as he/she went along. This book had a very similar feeling, except without the rich description in the beginning. Both books seemed rushed toward the end of the story.

It almost seemed that the book was quickly penned during a "rap session" between the two authors but was never "smoothed out." There's even one part in the book when two character's names are substituted for one another. It made me begin to wonder if anyone REALLY read (not just scanned) the book before it was published.

Keep in mind I did really enjoy this book as well as the first, and it was definitely a nice change of pace to see a lot of things happen in one book (unlike the sometimes molasses like pace of the most recent books by Robert Jordan). I just wish the book(s) had a bit more polish and depth to them. It's a very interesting world with a lot of potential, but it just doesn't seem as well developed as some of the others from different series.

12 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A .39 cent cheesburger to Elvenbane's Steak Dinner, April 15, 1999

By 

Kash Mitaukano "Kash the Librarian (in training)" (CA, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Elvenblood (Halfblood Chronicles) (Mass Market Paperback)

The Elvenbane was such a great book, it felt like I was reading 7 novels instead of one, but unfortunately the long awaited sequel Elvenblood fell extremely short of it's predecessor. I mean it's "Good" it has characters, but everything just fell into place too easily, the lost tribe, the plan of attack, everything went on without a hitch and there were some parts with the Halfblooded wizards which just thoroughly teed me off. I was hoping for more info on the mysterious foreshadowing they did in Elvenbane, such as that boring history Shana read which mentioned something about an elven secret weapon. Though the Elvenblood was good I could have wished for a bit more, it was one book to Elvenbane's 7. Poor Keman's mother had a bit part when her role was considerably more in Elvenbane. Hopefully Elvenborn will live up to all our hopes. Even though Ms. Norton and Ms. Lackey's work wasn't as stupendous as the first work it was still good. I would gladly read it again even though there is nothing extra to notice as when you read the Elvenbane. If you loved Elvenbane you'll like Elvenblood because hey when all is said and done we had fun traveling with Shana and the gang on this little romp.

9 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent read, January 12, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Elvenblood (Halfblood Chronicles) (Mass Market Paperback)

I was delighted with Elvenblood! After reading Elvenbane, I was skeptical that they'd be able to maintain the excitement and quick shifts in the plot that kept you guessing what would happen next. The authors did a superb job and I found it difficult to put the book down and read it well into the night! I'm hoping for another in the series -- they are both a must read.