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Summary: A Wonderful book!!!
Review: It is hard for me to remember the last time a book has made me feel so good. I have read all 4 books in a matter of 3 weeks. This book maybe for kids but adults will definately enjoy this book. I got hooked on book number #2 and I can't wait to read #5.
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Summary: The Kingdoms and the Elves of the Reaches, the Beginning
Review: "The Kingdoms and the Elves of the Reaches" takes us to a place of wizards, elves, and many other magical creatures from another world. It is about three groups of friends. One is with Vilmos. Vilmos must struggle against what he believes is a dark power within him. Then when his secret is about to be revealed he must esape. Vilmos narrowly escapes and what happens next changes his whole life. Adrina is sad on account of the death of her mother. She wishes for change, then change comes and her life will never be the same. Luckily her friend Emil is there to help her. The story is also about the evles Galan and Seth. They have many great adventures, and this is just the beginning. Stanek writes the book primarily for children to read, but many people young and old have taken a liking to it. The book goes through some of the issues a lot of children and teens face nowadays. Vilmos has many problems with his parents. Adrina is troubled because she is being raised by her father without a mom. Seth and Galan, as evles are much older, but more childlike on account of they've never been out into the world. With the help of Emel, Adrina learns to deal with problems and learn from them. Stanek makes great use of feelings and emotions. He makes it so the reader wants to keep reading and reading and reading.
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Summary: Poor writing, no plot, bad characterizations
Review: For the 1st 139 pages of this book (as far as I got) nothing happens. NOTHING! Some things are about to happen (maybe). But nothing actually happens. Does this sound like something you want to read? This is not a book for a nine-year-old or any discerning reader. The quality of the prose is amateurish. This is truly the worst book I have ever had the misfortune to attempt to read. Whatever you do, do not buy the entire series without attempting to read the 1st book. Because you will not buy books 2 and 3 after you read this book.
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Summary: A great book!
Review: Let me tell you, this is one of the most captivating books I have ever read. Anyone saying otherwise is either delusional or didn't actually read the book. You can't even compare it to Harry Potter. It's like comparing oranges to pine apples. As a reader adult fantasy, I can say that I wasn't expecting too much. I was in for the surprise of my life! No other young adult fantasies I've read have as many diverse, real characters as in this book. From Adrina, the sad princess, to Vilmos, the boy with dark powers, all of the characters have a trait that makes them unique. If you havente read it yet you should!
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Summary: Draws you into a whole other world of wonder
Review: I read "Keeper Martin's Tales" before I had read anything else of Robert Staneks. I have never read "Magic Lands" or any of the others. However, I really thought these books were amazing. I really love the theme, and could happily read a dozen books based on it. The best bits were the characters, and I kept wishing we would see more of the world. I highly recomend this to anyone who likes his books Undeniably, these novels are some of the best works of fiction written since a certain Rowling wrote about Harry Potter. Robert Stanek's Ruin Mist books are epic fantasy and we, the reader, have never been privileged to reading books in this style before, or have read anything remotely similar to it, before. It is an extremely well-developed work of fiction following from his masterful other novels. These are easily Stanek's best work, and his protagonists are so real that one can actually visualize what type of person they'd be in reality, what category they'd fall in: in brief, their certainly not the stereotypic, so-called "heroes". Stanek writes in clear, concise prose, the pace is fast and he turns some highly memorable scenese. He writes novels which feature unencountered motifs; novels which are hugely original, and often controversial. His books are masterful and well plotted.
All characters Stanek breathes life into are flesh and blood, true people. On their expansive journeys, Vilmos/Xith, Adrina/Emel, Seth/Galan will encounter bizarre beasts, strange peoples and the destinies that awaits them. These are the best novels in years; engrossing, original, unforgettable. They draw the reader into an otherworld of wonder. Unmistakably, these are must reads.
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Summary: Stole our hearts...
Review: This book in particular was very well written. Robert Stanek made it so interesting that we couldn't get our noses out of the book. I think that if you have not read this book you really need to!
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Summary: Kingdoms & Elves is the best
Review: Kingdoms & Elves will enchant you with its magical and fantastic adventures I just finished reading all four books. If you haven't read this one just try it. It's a must read for everyone no matter your age. I enjoyed it a lot and I bought the other 3 books so far and I'm now very excited about the fifth book. When you finish reading it you'll just want more and more.
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Summary: A Book You Never Want To Put Down
Review: Incredible. These have got to be some of the best fiction novels on the planet and have really helped inspire me. I've read each Kingdoms book nearly straight through the first time and the only reasons I stopped were for little things like sleeping, eating and school. I've also read them all at least five times. They're that good. The books follow the story of Vilmos, a twelve year old boy, Adrina, a girl coming of age, Seth and Galan, the mysterious elves, and their friends. Vilmos, a boy who's spent his whole life living a lie. Until one day he finds out that his dark power can't be gotten rid of. He's a wizard, and not just any wizard, the first human mage in a thousand years. Adrina, a girl who longs for change from her dull and boring life. Until one day the change comes and it isn't at all that she hoped for. The characters, writing, and story in these books in superb and the entire series will leave you shocked, surprised, and eager for more. If you haven't yet read The Kingdoms this is a great time to start.
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Summary: Awsome!
Review: THis is the best book series I have ever read. I did not really like reading that much till I picked this book up. At the beginning (like the first few pages) it seems boring but just wait it gets so so good. I did not even like reading now I do because I read so much I have read this book 4 times going on 5 and I red all the others at least 3 times. I just cant get enough Kingdoms and Elves. I cant wait till the fifth book comes out!
Rating:
Summary: Not in keeping with reviewers' raves
Review: Given the gushing praise for this series, I ordered the first two books anticipating a great read and likelihood of further purchasing of the author's works. In spite of the hype, as I read the first book annoyance supplanted optimism. The plot and sequencing jump around in ways that end being more jerky than exciting. The editing is very poor and typos abound (and are smart quotes really out of the question?). The language is stilted and clunky. I gave up after the first chapter of the second book. A great disappointment.
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