The Kingdoms and the Elves of the Reaches (Keeper Martin's Tales, Book 1, Special Illustrated Edition) [Paperback]

Robert Stanek (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 28, 2006 | Age Level: 9 and up | Grade Level: 4 and up | Series: Keeper Martin's Tales (Book 1)

Discover the magical world of Ruin Mist and be swept away in the adventure of a life time. The story of three lives and a world transformed forever by fate. Also available in English, Spanish, Turkish, Russian, Korean, Bulgarian, Vietnamese, Trade, Library and Audio, the Special Illustrated Edition of this timeless story includes 65 lavish illustrations, deluxe full-size format, and beautiful white paper. Finally released in the version envisioned by the author 20 years ago: lost chapters and scenes restored; the meeting of Xith and Vilmos as originally written; the story of Ruin Mist completely unaltered to hint at the story's origins in ancient myth and legend.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Dramatic illustrations draw the reader into the Tolkienesque world of Ruin Mist, plunged into darkness after a Great War five hundred years past. Blaming magic for their demise, the Kings of Men have decreed that all things magical be destroyed. Yet despite their efforts, the magical Dark Lord is slowly returning to power. Another bloody battle is foreshadowed for Ruin Mist when Adrina, the spoiled and lonely princess of Imtal, is visited by a mysterious woman who predicts Adrina's ghastly future. Meanwhile in the kingdom of Elves, Seth, devoted First of the Red Order of the Queen Mother Elf, is sent on a journey across the Great Sea to prevent war. Stuck somewhere in the middle is Vilmos, a young magical boy-who-would-be-mage, abducted for his own safety by a Yoda-like guide named Xith. All three journey to an unknown fate against treacherous and sometimes supernatural foes. Stanek augments the beginning of this complex tale with illustrations that are sure to attract fans of graphic novels and classic Tolkien alike-the only weakness in the illustrations is their scarcity. Stanek will likely draw a cult following, but his work is not for the novice fantasy reader. A complicated glossary at the end includes twenty-two pages of "People, Places, and Things in Ruin Mist," complete with geographical references, family lineages, and extraordinary sketches. Despite the sophisticated plot, however, this cliffhanger guarantees fans, and those fans will be ready to wield their swords against the Dark Lord in Stanek's next installment. -- VOYA, February 1, 2007

From the Publisher

Robert Stanek’s Ruin Mist books have captured the hearts and minds of readers around the world, and we think if you give them a chance, they’ll capture your heart and mind as well. Soon available in over 20 countries and 12 languages.

Start with The Kingdoms and the Elves of the Reaches #1. Then read #2, #3, and #4. The sequel to this series is In the Service of Dragons. Start with book #1, continue to books #2, #3, and #4.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9 and up
  
• Paperback: 172 pages
• Publisher: Reagent Press Echo (March 28, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1575455056
• ISBN-13: 978-1575455051
• Product Dimensions: 10.7 x 8 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (171 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,165,353 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

I'm Robert Stanek, and I've been writing stories for nearly 30 years. Though I've always been a writer at heart, I never set out to be a writer. What I wanted to be, I didn't know when I said goodbye to high school. What I wanted to do though, I knew that: I wanted to see the world--and so I did while serving my country in distant lands.

I wrote novels for more than ten years before I ever tried to get published. My big break came with a book about publishing--only a different sort of publishing than you may be thinking. The book was about web publishing and so my career in writing began. While I wrote those other books, I wrote many, many stories and books for my kids, and I collected them for a few decades, until at my children's urging I set out to get them published for others to enjoy.

I am the second youngest of five children, raised by a single mom. While stationed in Hawaii with the U.S. Air Force and working shift work, I went back to school and earned my bachelor's and master's degrees from Hawaii Pacific University. After an 11-year career in the military, I moved with my wife and children to Washington State. When I'm not writing, I can be found playing video games, reading books, or trekking the great outdoors in search of adventure with my wife and children.

It's been a fairly open secret I also write as William Stanek. You can learn more about me at http://www.robertstanek.com or at http://stanek.reagentpress.com. Find me on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/RobertStanekAuthor.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

90 of 108 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Not a good book!, March 12, 2009

By 

Jasmine - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Kingdoms and the Elves of the Reaches (Signature Illustrated Edition, Keeper Martin's Tales Book 1) (Hardcover)

I can't understand why this book has such great reviews. I usually don't write reviews, but I was so disappointed by this book, I felt I had too. Bad grammar, boring characters, jumps in the plot that make NO sense, and terrible formatting. The illustrations where not great either. The book is only 140 or so pages, and I have had to force myself through them. Save your money, don't buy this book. There are MUCH better fantasy writers out there.

84 of 104 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Kingdoms and the Elves, November 7, 2002

By 

"television_nation" (Pittsburgh, PA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Kingdoms & The Elves Of The Reaches (Keeper Martin's Tales , Book 1) (Paperback)

I just finished reading The Kingdom's books for the second time! Mr. Stanek's Ruin Mist is has its own creatures, history, and magic. We meet new friends like Vilmos, Seth and Emel and a few we aren't too sure about.

It's got elves, gnomes, shapechanging wolmerrelle, watchers, wizards and men. Stanek very subtly points to dark forces at work, Sathar who has survived the dark journey, war in the elven kingdoms but that's not the focus. Those things are looming on the horizon. A dark "change" is coming to the lands of men as well but again its not the focus. This first book is the start of a great adventure. Lots of unexpected twists and turns.

After an opening with a series of strange events, the journey stars. I have never read a series that has kept me turning pages so far. Mr. Stanek's characters are so believable. You can relate to them. I like Vilmos most.

It's a fantasy series that is like no other I've read. It centers on things that make this novel more enjoyable than the most other fantasies. I recommend reading the entire series. It does get better and better as others have claimed. Stanek is a great new voice in the genre for sure. This book sets the stage. Things really take off in the next 2 books.

I will not bore you more details. I will say that no matter what your age you should give it a try.... It is a very entertaining, well written and easy to enjoy book. It is a great change of pace. My best suggestion is to quit reading this and read the book. Remember 2 and 3 is where things get going best. I highly recommend this book to everyone.

76 of 94 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Strong first book in series, June 21, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: The Kingdoms & The Elves Of The Reaches (Keeper Martin's Tales , Book 1) (Paperback)

I am a HUGE Robert Stanek fan. I love the magical world he creates in the Ruin Mist Chronicles. This book takes the first half of Keeper Martin's Tale and makes it a bit easier for younger readers. As the father of two young readers, I couldn't wait to introduce them to these books. Both are already fans!

The Kingdoms and the Elves is for readers 9-12. The books have print that is easy on the eyes and the approach is much easier to read and tote around. These split versions of the books are great because your kids are much more likely to finish and then want the next book and the next and so on. Mine certainly did. They started with The Kingdoms and the Elves book 1, went on to book 2, then The Elf Queen and the King book 1, then The Elf Queen and the King book 2.

Now my kids are waiting for The Kingdoms and the Elves book 3 due out in August. The funny thing is that I am too. According to the description, book 3 picks up where Keeper Martin's Tale left off, meaning it should be the first part of the 2nd Keeper Martin book. Heck, I'm there. You don't have to tell me any more. Beats waiting!

I'm really glad Robert took the time to make adult and children's versions of his books. I actually preferred the children's version of Elf Queen's Quest (The Elf Queen and the King books I and II) to the adult version. The children's version has a completely different organization, which makes it flow more logically (IMHO). Whatever version you choose, regardless, you're going to have fun. Fun reading it what it's all about. Enjoy! Happy, happy, happy reading.