Keeper Martin's Tale (Ruin Mist Chronicles, Book 1) (Paperback)

by Robert Stanek (Author) "Sunrise loomed across the horizon, pale as jasmine and mostly obscured by dark, feral clouds..." (more)
Key Phrases: sectional commander, lore keeper, palace guardsmen, Father Jacob, Robert Stanek, Captain Brodst (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review
Heroic fantasy series are plentiful these days, mass-produced without any regard for quality. Robert Stanek's Ruin Mist Chronicles bucks this trend. Keeper Martin's Tale and the other books in the series represent years of labor during which the author filled out the backstory of the land, the politics and the characters. Copious supplements--maps, glossaries, and illustrated cast lists--show Stanek's commitment to worldcraft. No matter how fascinating a fantasy world is, it fails if not animated by a compelling story and Stanek gives us not just one, but three, tales in Keeper Martin's Tale. One story follows the bored, rebellious Princess Adrina, who flees her moribund kingdom in search of adventure. Another thread concerns the peasant boy Vilmos, whose forbidden magic powers attract the interest of both good and evil forces. Finally, Seth, a warrior priest and part of the Elf Queen's elite personal guard, sets off as an envoy to the human lands. A prolific non-fiction writer, Stanek's focus on instruction influences his fiction with a penchant for clear and simple prose. Stanek's military expertise as a decorated Air Force vet who served in Gulf War I also informs his written work. He enjoys stories of complex strategies, alliances and espionage, like those in his past. He also prefers swift, action-oriented scenes. Keeper Martin's Tale is solidly built. Stanek moves among his three main characters with ease, always switching at a climactic moment to maintain suspense. The accessible, brisk language keeps things moving: "Crying out in the darkness, alone, afraid and drenched in sweat, Vilmos woke... The whole of his small body shivered uncontrollably. Opening eyes and uncurling his huddled form from a corner, moist with perspiration yet still cold from the night's chill, was a slow, time-consuming process." -- Clar Reviews, June 1, 2007 --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Product Description
All new edition for 2005! This edition replaces the standard edition and has the same price/ISBN. Features deluxe maps, lavish illustrations, guide to the characters, and more. The deluxe edition also available in 2005 features the full Encyclopedia of Ruin Mist.

Unleash the power of your imagination and enter a world you never dreamed existed! Best-selling author Robert Stanek delivers an epic fantasy adventure that'll open your mind and your heart. Three heroes set out on an epic journey of discovery only to find that at the end of their journey nothing is what they thought it was and that their world is undergoing a transformation that will change everything. Survival in a changing world depends on their ability to adapt and if they fail, their world and everything they believe in will perish.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 424 pages
• Publisher: Reagent Press (February 1, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1575450429
• ISBN-13: 978-1575450421
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.1 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (260 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #105,315 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

39 of 41 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars An enjoyable feast for the imagination!!, August 25, 2006

By	Ryan K. Myers - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

4.5 stars actually but I absolutely loved this book. I was unable to put it down once I started reading it. I'm a long time reader of fantasy and science fiction, and I feel this story will be widely popular and a favorite once people start to realize how good it is.

Some people say, this isn't the best book of the series, but I disagree. It is in this book that Stanek masterfully introduces his fantastic world and its inhabitants. This is an edge-of-your-seat, gripping tale. Also, arguably, Stanek does deliver solid, consistently engaging plot/story in book after book after this one, so if this isn't a quick favorite, the others are sure to be.

Anyone who hasn't read any of Stanek's fantasy books yet should realize the Ruin Mist Chronicles series is for adults, and the Kingdoms/Dragons series are for young adults. My favorite edition of the Ruin Mist Chronicles are the deluxe editions - and with Amazon's discounting there only about a dollar more than the standard editions. The deluxes are the better value as they include not only the dozens of character illustrations and the detailed maps of the world in the standard editions but also complete guides to the peoples, places, and inhabitants.

As many others have pointed out in previous reviews, the world of Ruin Mist is as interesting as the many characters in the books. The world has a rich history. In the ancient past, it was once been ruled over by dragons, titans and the great eagle lords who were cruel masters to elves, dwarves, humans, etc. As time passed, the great dragons, titans, and eagles faded from memory and soon so did the dwarves, gnomes, and some other peoples. This left only men and elves who became bitter enemies.

Keeper Martin's Tale tells of a time when turmoil, unrest, and treachery leads to battles between the men of the kingdoms. It tells of a young girl whose family wields great influence on the lands, and introduces other great house and great families of the lands. It is also the story of a young boy who wields a dark gift and the elves who are trying to save the world from its fate. But the forces of darkness are many and range from enemy kings to Dark Priests sworn to cleanse the world of magic to dark creatures from other realms. My favorite baddies from this first book are Erravane, the Wolmerrelle Queen, and her shapeshifting followers. And this is only book #1 of the Ruin Mist Chronicles.

If you haven't read it by now go read it. It is worthwhile though maybe not for readers who like extreme gore, extreme violence, and sex - this is a mature fantasy but there's no real gore, nor extreme violence, nor sex. There is however plenty of action, adventure, mystery, and thrills.

96 of 108 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A fun adventure, March 19, 2006

By	Tony Morgan (Montana, USA) - See all my reviews

I both read and listen to many books, and this was absolutely captivating. This story is extremely well developed from a character development, world setting point of view. It might be my favorite book of all time, but part of the reason is that he took the theme of epic fantasy and put a twist on it which is totally new.

It's important for readers to understand, as many previous reviewers apparently do not, that not all books are works of literature. Some books a just great reads. This book is a great read, and the series is among the best I've read in fantasy.

The characters and the rich history of the world will prod all but the most closed-minded of readers to suspend disbelief and let themselves get immersed in the world and characters. If the indignant one-star-reviewers want literature they should stick with literature. The frustrated writer who fumed about a few typos and sending the editor back to 8th grade English should check her ego and realize that this effective piece of entertainment isn't trying to be deft with the English Language, just entertaining.

Ultimately, this book is great for those who have enjoy good books with interesting characters and plotlines. There's something to be said about fantasy that makes the reader think, makes the reader believe, and makes the reader love the characters.

55 of 60 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good Book, Good Story, September 14, 2006

By	Mark Price - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Keeper Martin's Tale (Ruin Mist Chronicles, Book 1) (Paperback)

Initially I wanted to write a review on the entire Ruin Mist Chronicles series rather then for each book individually, but I think that the first book in this series deserves HUGE credit for setting the path for the other books. This entire series has been a great read.

This particular book is as exciting as any of the others, plain and simple, the basic premise of this series is revolves around a group who are destinied to change their world (for better or for worse). One of this group carries an extreme source of darkness - dark magic. One of this group is the daughter of kings and a member of one of the last great houses of men. One of this group is a warrior and an elf who will bring word of the coming darkness. This group leaves their homes each for different reasons.

This book is a great read for all fantasy lovers. Over the course of these books the storyline increases quickly and progresses into a story that really makes you think and question what could happen next!

I loved this book, it truely set the ground work for what was to come in the next books. Trust me, if the first one wasn't good, I would not have moved on to the second...but the basic story grabs a hold of you and won't let you go. I would recommend this series if you enjoy a good fantasy....with a fascinating world!