Rating: 
Summary: Strong first book in series
Review: 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.
Rating:
Summary: Captures the imagination!
Review: I didn't know Ruin Mist six months ago, and now I can't stop reading Stanek's books. 'The Kingdoms and the elves of the Reaches' is a fantastic mix of action, adventure and mystery! I had no idea that a book could be so captivating. As soon as you start reading, you realize it is not going to be just an ordinary kind of plot, that strange things can happen at any moment, and that our world pales in comparison to the wonder of Ruin Mist. As we read we learn the value of true friendship, the pain of loss, the joy of life. Adrina misses his mother. Vilmos has to leave his family to keep them safe. The elves must leave their home to go on a perilous journey across the sea. They all set set on a journey, on a quest, looking for something, and that something they find will surprise and delight. It's not all good characters either. Some are mysterious and dark like Xith. Some are [bad] like Erravane. I've just finished book 3 and am going back to start over! I already miss Adrina and her friends!
Rating:
Summary: Better the Potter?
Review: I love Harry Potter. I have read and reread all of the Harry Potter books and then I found this book. It looked interesting so I decided to read it and see if there was anything special to Kingdoms and the elves of the reaches. From the first page, I got hooked. The book was extremely engrossing to read, though there were some flaws here and there. Kingdoms and the Elves was exciting all throughout, and the plot was excellent and it will keep the reader on the edge of their seats wondering what will happen next. This is filled with interesting characters and exciting situations. And was it better than Harry Potter? I do think it was and not only that I think this book can compare to the Lord of the Rings as well. This is without a doubt the best book I have ever read in my life. I can only hope that a movie will be made about it. It ends way to soon though so I was thankful other to find the second book is already available.
Rating:
Summary: The Kingdoms and the Elves
Review: 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.
Rating:
Summary: Kingdoms and Elves
Review: I really liked the book Kingdoms and the Elves. It's plot was very imagitive and funny. It was Fantasy and I like those kind of books. The thing I liked most about the book was how devolped the characters were. I liked the way that the characters were linked together without them knowing. My favorite part in the whole book was when Adrina and Emel leave Imtal and it talked about the prophecy. I liked that Emel was a good friend and Vilmos was brave.
Rating:
Summary: Outstanding!!!
Review: I have read every book so far except the 4 book and so far what I have read is so awsome! and i love the book 3 that's my fav. and for all you all that havn't read any of Kingdoms and elves books you need to it will take you on magical adventures!!! I thought this was a great story. I thought this book had everything in it, some facts about life, some fantasy, and some mystery. This was a great adventure. This book has magical creatures which I hoped it would, like elves, trolls, giants. If you like magical creatures, and a book that has a little of everything in it you should read it.
Rating:
Summary: Just read it!!
Review: This was such a fun read! Once you get started reading it only gets better form there. Some of the people who have written a review compare this book to Harry Potter or Lord of the Rings but that's not a fair comparison. Is the story every bit as original as Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings Elves? Yes. Does the story read like a copy of those books? No. It's unique. Had I listened to some of the people who wrote bad reviews and decide not to read Kingdoms and the elves I would have missed out on the best read of the year. My point is you should read the book with an open mind and you'll enjoy it! The best bit no one seems to be talking about is every book in the series is better than the one before. This is easily 5-stars and book 2 is even better. Book 3 is better still and book 4 is the best. If I had to rate this against Harry Potter and Lord of the rings book 1 would be last. The same isn't true for the other books. I would rate Kingdoms and elves of the reaches book 4 above Harry Potter and the goblet of fire which was previously my all time favorite book in the world. So would book 3.
Rating: 
Summary: I'm mad at myself for buying this crap!!
Review: I'm a Harry Potter fan and a Lord of the Rings fan and I've been looking for other books to read while I wait on HP 6 to come out. I heard that this series was as good, if not better, than Harry Potter, so I bought the first two books in the series thinking it would be a sure thing....I couldn't get past the first chapter of the first book! This is no where near Harry Potter quality! I hope other Harry Potter fans look at all of the reviews, not just the 4+ star ones, and avoid this trash. *Goes off in search of a good book to read* I can recommend The Enchanted Forest series and King Fortis The Brave as two good books to read while you wait.
Rating:
Summary: Fantasy for ALL ages!!!!
Review: It was an excellent book. I'm 26 years old and couldn't put it down. My 20 year old sister couldn't even wait until I finished before she started reading it. Stanek has such a wonderful imagination. I recommend this book to anyone, young or old. I can't wait to have children of mine own to read it to. Pick up this book! I can't wait to read the rest of the series.
Rating:
Summary: Kingdoms and the Elves is a great book
Review: My Mother bought the first Kingdoms and the Elves book for me for Christmas... After the first couple of days I got hooked. I have now read all 4 books and my friends are reading books 2 & 3. In less than a month I read books 1-4..TWICE!! I am very eagerly awaiting the release of book 5.
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