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53 of 58 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Deep, dark and rich, May 11, 2002
"Elf Queen's Quest" is the second book in Robert Stanek's wonderful "Ruin Mist Chronicles" series. As I started reading this, I wasn't sure I would like this but this is stunning. All of the magic of the first book, "Keeper Martin's Tale", is here, but the tone is darker, deeper and stronger. Robert has a unique approach in that he provides alternate views of the stories through what he calls "paths". Robert frequently changes viewpoints in the story. It lets the reader see things from different viewpoints, resulting in a better understanding of everything. The story follows several main threads and we get to see what happens before and after the characters stories come together. Robert's writing style is very natural and free of the standard fantasy cliches. I remember no editing errors and no slow spots and as this is a fairly good-sized book that says a lot. Robert starts with a large cast of main or possible-main characters, and the weave of the story helps the reader see the huge culminating confrontations on the horizon. I liked this story a lot. I think this represents a strong start to a great fantasy series.
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25 of 25 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Better than I ever expected, May 12, 2002
Elf Queen's Quest is an exciting and fitting sequel to Book I. Although some parts of the 1st book are seen from different viewpoints, it didn't stop me from reading. The development of the plot and the characters takes the reader on a new level in every chapter. If in Book 1 I felt their emotions, here in Book 2 I ended up caring for them and fearing for them (because what is happening is dark). Robert Stanek has brillantly put together a story that has everything in it: adventure, magic, mystery, humor but never fails to emphasize on compassion, courage, self-sacrifice, loyalty and friendship. And though I don't understand all of the characters (Xith for one. He's a mystery. Midori for another), their stories are just as interesting as those of Vilmos, Emel, Seth, Galan and Adrina. Vilmos is the one I identified with most strongly. His dreams, his visits to the underworld, his escape into the forest kept my heart pounding as I turned page after page. Vilmos has proven himself humble and not at all hungry for fame and publicity. He just wants to survive and he's brave enough to head out into the world and leave his family behind. The events that happened to Vilmos and his friends has proven once again that Vilmos is a key in this changing world. He's compassionate and self-sacrificing and will go to great lengths in saving another person's life. And although his dreams are scary and his magic forbidden (because of the evil past of human magic), Vilmos nevertheless showed that his inherent goodness has the power to outweigh everything else. The stories of Vilmos/Xith, Seth/Galan, Adrina/Emel are absolutely enthralling and when the stories finally come together it's awesome. Everything that happens before and after has a wonderful build. The momentum is fabulous. In Book 2, all the characters have their moment to shine, and friendships are growing. Emel has proven himself a caring and supportive friend to Adrina. Aware of Adrina's plight, he plunges in, thinking more of Adrina than himself and he is there for her throughout. During the journey, Emel never left Adrina's side, and despite his own inner conflicts with his feelings for her, he still went out of his way to help her. That is true friendship indeed! Seeth and Galan, on the other hand, are quite different. Seth provides the 'brains' but lacks experience with the real world. He's never been beyond Kapital and the Brotherhood of the Elves is all he knows. Galan is the balancing weight. She's a bit different and together the members of the Red make many costly choices, choices that hold the keys to their fate. Seth's intelligence, combined with Galan's strength makes their story special. Book 2 has also given us a mirror into which we can reflect on the events of Book 1. We can wonder what is the truth of the events. Where is the change taking their world? Can we believe the views of Keeper Martin Or is his view stilted in favor of Great Kingdom? Above all, it tells us that history can be written and rewritten and to find the truth of history, you must look for it. Vilmos is a model of bravery, Emel of compassion and loyalty which I hope we can still find in the our world. I can only hope that Adrina can overcome her sadness before it sweeps her away.
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35 of 37 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
What more could you ask for?, June 7, 2002
I've been reading Mr. Stanek for some time now and he has quickly became a favorite. I have to admit, though, that the second book is better than the first in this series. It answered so many questions and that made me quite happy. The continued fleshing out of the world of Ruin Mist is tops. Ruin Mist is fascinating. This book is a winner. If you like fantasy -- read this book. If you love fantasy and don't have it, shame on you! Run out this weekend and get it if you can. The book has three main threads. The first thread is about a princess in a dying kingdom. She has a gift in that she is able to see things and she has a part in the great change that is coming. She comes off as a strong, smart character with real flaws and feelings. Although she sometimes comes off a little naive, this is good since it balances out her other qualities. The match of her and Emel, a young guardsman realy makes this work well. In the second thread is a boy named Vilmos. He's destined to be the first human magus in hundreds/thousands of years. There's a darkness to human magic in this story--the last human mage caused something (unsaid) but terrible, leading to a cleansing of all that is magical from the lands of men. Vilmos is delivered from a terrible death as a result of his magic use by a mysterious character named Xith. Xith is some type of gnome or drawf but we're never told directly, only that king gnome disappeared from the land with his people and Xith may be this. In the third thread are elves named Galan and Seth. There story is one of utmost tragedy as they undertake a desperate journey to save their lands from a coming darkness. Seth and Galan are members of the Elven Brotherhood. They have the mental powers and the combat skills of ninjas. The first part of the book introduces these stories and the world. Everything leads up nicely to the second part of the book where there's battles, betrayals, kidnappings and more battles. The introduction of Keepers who have the power to send dream messages, priests who commune with the dead, priestesss who commune with Mother Earth, the under world, dark creatures, and shapeshifting beasts really set this book apart. What more could you ask for in a book?
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