Customer Reviews

The Lastborn of Elvinwood

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

 

 

Lastborn of Elvinwood is a story about curiosity rewarded. Ian James, a well to do neverd'well, has an attack of curiosity one cold winter's night that leads him into mortal danger, but Ian is given a choice between living and helping the fairies steal a human child or losing his life. Ian chooses to help the fairies. While Ian helps out, he becomes friends with Mompen, the fairy chosen to become the human child's changeling. This book is well-written. While simple enough for young adults to read, this book also has plenty to offer the adult reader. Although it is not particularly fast-paced, this book does not drag anywhere either. There are plenty of interesting characters who are not always what they seem to be at first glance. I loved the bits of folklore Haldeman skillfully wove into her story and the patter song Ian and the Vicar perform between them at one point of the story. One of the best things I liked about the story is that Haldeman kept her fairies traditional rather than making them like the urban fantasy fairies being written about today, but that's not too surprizing since her book predates the urban fantasy genre. I found my copy of this book in a used bookstore years ago. It now holds a place of honor on my never-to-be-discarded-or-lent-out book shelf. Anyone that likes fantasy will enjoy reading this book. I wish the publishers would bring out another printing of this book before my old book finally decides to crumble to bits from being read over and over again.

My mother read me this book as a child, and I loved it. It involves lots of fairies and magical places. It is about a human who finds himself amongst a clan of fairies in the forest, and befriends them. It is one of those books that once you read it, you will want to read it again, or share it with a friend.

I love this book. It's one of those to which a reader can return again and again. In investigating why Linda Haldeman only wrote three novels, I came upon an obituary dated in the early 80's. I can only guess that this is the sad reason for the lack of any new writings. Do yourself a favor, read all three. You will love them, they are wonderful.

I read this book in when I was in high scool, and I loved it. Very enchanting. It's a very well written "urban fantasy", a story of a (somewhat) ordinary person in the real world interacting with the fastastic. Unfortunately, it's been out of print ever since. Her book Esbae is even better.

This has to be the best book regarding fairies and elves, it is simple and easy to read .
Linda Haldeman is very discriptive when needs to be and she also captures the essence of British life.
The tale has a magical feel that will surprize readers.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED IF YOU LOVE BOOKS ABOUT MAGIC, ELVES AND FAIRY FOLK .

Even if you dont give it a try because its a great read.

this is a rather charming tale...
dear lovers of faerie stories,
... about faerie folk who have diminished into wee small things through the ages and are now on the verge of being wiped out altogether because they have no female among them who is capable of bearing children and carrying on the race. The solution they come up with is to exchange one of their own with the help of some sympathetic humans for a human child or really, the soul of a human child. Do they succeed and save the race? Let's hope so.
kyela,
the silver elves

I love this book. I've read it several times. A surprise ending. A story about a human who finds himself among a clan of fairies in the forest, and befriends them. Set in England I believe. Great book if you like elves & faeries and the magical.