The Kingdoms & the Elves of the Reaches II (Keeper Martin's Tales, Book 2) (Paperback)

~ (Author) "We cannot just bed down here surely," came a grumble from a mixture of voices..." (more)
Key Phrases: sectional commander, lore keeper, magical shield, Father Jacob, Robert Stanek, The Elves of the Reaches (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

All new deluxe edition for 2005! This edition replaces the standard edition and has the same price/ISBN. Features deluxe maps, 20 lavish illustrations, guide to the characters, and more.

Readers everywhere are discovering the works of Robert Stanek. Robert's books are published in over 20 countries around the world and beginning in 2005 the first of many translations will be published.

The epic adventure continues! Unleash the power of your imagination and enter a world you've never dreamed existed! Best-selling author Robert Stanek delivers an epic fantasy adventure that will open your mind and your heart.

Perfect for the young and the young at heart! The Kingdoms & The Elves Of The Reaches Book 2 is a refreshingly unique fantastic adventure where its only limits are the limits of your imagination.

Inside, you'll discover the breathtaking world of Ruin Mist where the mystical and the magical abound, and you'll fall in love with three heroes: a boy who would become a mage, a princess who is fleeing a dying kingdom, and a warrior elf who undertakes an epic journey.

From the Publisher

Discover the word-of-mouth favorites! Readers around the world are discovering Robert Stanek and Ruin Mist. Now in this deluxe edition of the top-selling title, you can get the ultimate Ruin Mist experience. Distinctive cover art features the wizard Xith, deluxe maps help you explore the realms, lavish illustrations bring the author's words to life, a guide to the characters provides additional background and helps you unravel the secrets of Ruin Mist.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9-12
  
• Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: Reagent Press (April 1, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1575450607
• ISBN-13: 978-1575450605
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.9 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (171 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #604,532 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

41 of 42 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Worth your time..., August 19, 2006

By	Gerald Fujioka - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This is the book that made me a Kingdoms fan. I think if I had stopped at book One, I wouldn't be such a fan, but as I continued on in the series it got better and getter and I was glad I kept going. Plus I was drawn into the story more and more as it went. I loved how this book continues from where the first one left off, especially how the story all comes together.

Stanek's books are powerful and original. The characters are wonderfully portrayed, and the plot lines though complex are easy to follow. If you haven't read the Kingdoms books yet you are missing out on the best fantasy in years.

53 of 57 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The adventure continues..., August 24, 2006

By	P. Gunelson (Minnesota) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

My 12 yr. old son absolutely loves this book and so do I! Everyone who says Robert Stanek is a gifted story-teller is right on. His characters are fully developed and even minor ones are drawn with detail to give their personalities a lasting impression. But what I liked most of all is the complex storyline that Stanek weaves with skill so that a 4 volume epic story of action, adventure, mystery and intrigue is easy to follow. The pieces from the 4 volumes come together in ways you never imagine. You see, hear, taste, and smell everything! It is as if you are standing inside one of the orbs of power and are inside the story watching the events unfold. Plus Stanek is one of those rare authors who can tell a detailed story and keep it moving at a good pace.

The Kingdoms and the Elves of the Reaches #2 continues the epic story of the kingdoms of men and the elves of the reaches. It tells the continuing story of Adrina from Imtal, Great Kingdom, Vilmos Tabborath from one of the minor kingdoms, and Seth from Leklorall, East Reach. Adrina is the third daughter of the king. She is saddened by the loss of her mother and doesn't see the world as it is. In the first book, her desires and awakening to the world around her cost her dearly, and now she must deal with the consequences of those desires.

Vilmos's future looks as dark and bleak as Adrina's. The powerful, dark magic has awakened within him, and as magic is outlawed in the lands his powers puts himself and everyone around him at great danger. There are those in the lands who would kill him because of his magic and there are those in the lands who would capture him and use him because of his magic. Seth is the leader of the Red Brotherhood of the Elves. He is the queen's sworn protector but the queen assigned him the task of returning to the lands of men. In a time when men and elves are mortal enemies, the journey across the great sea should perhaps have been the easiest part of his journey, but things did not work out that way. Now Seth must struggle to stay alive and to keep his fellow elves alive while trying to keep his oath to his queen.

Highly recommended. You'll want to have all four books on hand.

48 of 52 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best of the first two, May 17, 2006

By	Michael E. Nelson "Mike" (USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

The second book is my favorite of the first two. I picked up 'The Kingdoms and the Elves of the Reaches' because I wanted to find out what all the talk was about. Of course, after reading it, I can see why so many people have been touched and captivated by Stanek's amazing and extraordinary imagination. The truth is that you won't know what all the talk is about until you've actually read at least the first two books. Certainly, I haven't read anything this good or anything this enthralling since Lewis's tales of 'Narnia.' Simply put, this book made me smile. Vilmos, Adrina, Seth, Xith and the others are amazing characters. Words cannot adequately or justly describe who they are and this book like the first one made me think. I feel so strongly connected to Vilmos and to Adrina. If any words can describe this book, I'd have to say that this book and the characters it represents are destined to become a genre in itself. 'The Kingdoms and the Elves' made me think, made me feel, which are testaments to all the well-deserved accolades it has received. This book will appeal to just about any age-group. Definitely, there's something about The Kingdoms and the Elves. For those who have not picked these books up: Find out what all the talk is about, and discover the magic because this ones even better than the first one.