Customer Reviews

Elvenblood (Halfblood Chronicles)

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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.

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.

I loved The Elvenbane. I really liked the stereotype-defying, "evil, nasty elves" concept. The characters (that mattered) were fairly well developed, and the plot, while a bit cliche, still kept me entertained. This book was good also. Not *as* good as the first one, but still good. I thought the story moved a bit too quickly-I finished the book in about a day. I've been waiting for the third book ever since since. The publishers have been lying about the release date of Elvenborn since 1995! I enjoyed the series and am still waiting for it to continue. Please TOR, make me happy!

The first book in this series, The Elvenbane, was excellent, but I experienced a feeling of dissatisfication at the end of Elvenblood. The plot was more confusing and the resolution of the conflict seemed abrupt and very connived, as if Norton and Lackey were in a hurry to finish the book. It was still an wonderful read, but I expected more, especially coming after such a phenomenal first book.

I thought, that when I bought this one, that I had read it before and simply misplaced my copy - but while parts did seem a little familiar, I am fairly certain that the familiarity is more from Mercedes Lackey's writing style. I certainly did not remember any of this and it was a fun, adventurous fantasy novel that I enjoyed more than the re-reading of the first book. I'm excited to read the next one and I hope the one written after that is actually published soon!

I found this book, like Elvenbane, to be completely fascinating, keeping my interest all the way through. In this book you learn more about the vastly different lives of the humans, elves, and dragons, and a lot happens. All in all, in my opinion it was a very good book. I only have one qualm: the ending was too hurried. It was one of those all-of-a-sudden-no-explanations endings, the kind that might bug people who like absolute closure in a book. I think that this series would benefit greatly if it were a trilogy instead. Other that that, it was a success! (-:

The way the book was put together and the plot was amazing, treachery of the noble dragon? The Characters all were very interesting people which is to be expected by these two writers. The fact that the powerful wizards were to be captured by seemingly savages was an interesting twist to the plot. The only downside was how one of the characters (an oppressed elven girl) was so extremely depressing as to make you want the character to killed, But she EVENTUALLY gets better. (Thank GOD)

Well, I really hate to say anything bad about one of my favorite authors, but this book really is a disappointment. It'd be ok I suppose if "The Elvenbane" didn't come before it. But with such an amazing prior book, it just doesn't measure up! After reading Elvenbane, I looked forward to the next book for a real long time, but when Elvenblood finally came out, it really disappointed. The book is too bland, not much excitement, action, not much of a plot at all to tell the truth. It just can't move you like the first book did. And one more thing I can't stand is how the characters paired up in the end. To think that such a nice boy would end up with such a disgustingly depressing wimp of an elven girl.

"Elvenblood" falls prey to several major problems with sequels: it's significantly shorter, less complex, more limited, and less careful than its predecessor. The plot is not as tightly constructed; the characters are not as well-developed. And it's full of glaring continuity errors. Didn't anybody read the series through to check facts?

But it's fun enough to read. I'll buy the third book.