Rating: 
Summary: THE best recent read
Review: The success of this book is evident in all the phony reviews placed here by people probably haven't read the book at all. They fill their reviews with the same dribble near word for word over and over. I've noticed a great many books on Amazon suffer from these bogus reviews that all seem like they are written by the same person. Or more likely, written by many people who all subscribe to the same competing author's discussion group.
I have read the book. "Keeper Martin's Tale" is the best recent read. When it comes to books characterization, plot, setting and dialogue are all important to me. The main characters in the story (and there are many) all have flaws, desires, concerns that makes them very real. Take Adrina as an example. Adrina is confused because of what happened in her early childhood and her mother's death. She feels alone because her siblings have gone on in life, she hasn't. Her motivations are clear in that she wants to set her own path in life but her father has other ideas. Clearly a very real character, and one that you can care deeply about. I know I did almost immediately. All of the characters are very real like this. From Vilmos to Seth to Galan to Valam to Emel to Myrial. Myrial is a character we meet in the later books. She has a take charge can-do attitude and a zest for life. What happens to her will make you cringe and maybe even cry. Talking about characters another one I am mad about is Vilmos. Vilmos the would-be mage in a world where using magic is forbidden and punishable by death. His parents have shared his dark secret. It is the thing that gives him nightmares and in fact empowers the dark dreams so much they become real. That's when he meets Xith. It was an incredibly powerful scene in the book, one of many powerful scenes in the book. Another favorite scene (and I mean all time favorite of all the books I'ver ever read) is when Adrina and Emel meet the lady of the forest. The plot of the book is flows with many subthreads. In the early parts of the book you have all the characters going about their separate lives. Vilmos is in his home village. Adrina and Emel are in Imtal. Seth and Galan are in the elven kingdom. Their lives are separate and their goals are separate. Vilmos is trying to follow in his father's foot steps and act as a village councilor's son should. Adrina has come of age and has choices to make such a choice brings her to an old woman who foresees a great change. Seth and Galan learn of the return of an ancient evil, that they must journey back to the lands of men to stop it. All that happens in the opening pages! The setting is ingenious as good as anything Tolkien, Rowlings or any of the other great fantasy authors have ever thought up. A world pitted against itself. Magic is evil. Men and elves are mortal enemies once ruled by great titan overlords. The world itself is really three worlds in one with gateways between the upper, lower and middle worlds. The main story takes place in the middle world, very early in the story Vilmos is sucked down to the lower world the realm of dark elf clans, wolmerrelle and the king of gnomes who befriends him. Like the stories of many great authors, "Keeper Martin's Tale" is written in a simple style. The words flow, the story moves along at a brisk pace. It is highly recommended reading.
Rating:
Summary: A must read for fantasy readers
Review: This novel is a must for Fantasy literature and fans alike. Robert Stanek is one of the best authors I have ever read. The story is very original, and it will keep you hooked to the book reading for hours. Stanek's characterization is good The characters in the novel seem as though they could exist in the real world. The novel is touching to the heart because of the hardships that people endure. I rate it a 5-stars out of 5, because it cannot be rated 10 out of 5.
Rating: 
Summary: Reluctant negative review
Review: Well, I was curious about this book given that most of the reviews were either 5's or 1's, and decided to buy it anyway...after all even Jordan gets some 1's from malcontents. Unfortunately, the 1's definitely got it right on this one. I don't know that I could favorably compare this with Harry Potter in the children's category, much less Tolkein or even Jordan. The writing didn't flow as well as even an average fantasy novel, the characters were flat...very disappointing. I kept flogging though figuring to give it a chance, but it never made the grade. Save yourself the effort.
Rating:
Summary: Great!!
Review: What a great read! Reads fast and such a good story. Recommended.
Rating: 
Summary: Love it!
Review: Keeper Martin's Tale hooked me from the opening pages. For all you Lord of the Rings fans, Keeper Martin's Tale is the book to read. You'll love it. This is the kind of book you can really get into. I give 4 stars only because Kingdom Alliance is so much better.
Rating:
Summary: Very good, great reading
Review: I'll just add to the glowing reviews of this book. I have some (limited) negative feelings about this book like others do, but overall I think that it's a unique book that's well worth having. Does Robert Stanek know how to write??? Oh yeah!!! He's very good at getting inside characters heads without being obvious about it. He's very good at describing a fantasy world. He's very good with dialog. The plot and pace is excellent. Okay, so I too am VERY jealous of anybody who can write such a great story. BUT HE'S EARNED HIS PLACE WITH THE GREATS OF FANTASY!!! He's worked very hard for his success and he has the courage to pursue his dreams unlike 95% of the population (including myself). And NO I don't belong to his Official Fan Club, but I'd probably join it, if he had one.
Rating:
Summary: Two thumps up for Keeper Martin's Tale
Review: Over all I found this book to be highly enjoyable. I have to say it begins somewhat stale though, reading like a Robert Jordan novel with a few twists and then seems to call up what I'd deem as Terry Brooks on a good day. It in some way reminds of Tolkien. All books I love so what can I say? The story really comes into its own about a quarter of the way through the book, which I think is much faster than most fantasy stories. That's when at least for me the characters become people beyond their stereotypical rolls and new ideas begin to establish a world separate from those of the other authors mentioned above. The story has a very real and appreciable sense of distance, travel, and learning. Far from shying away or glossing over the process of getting from plot point to plot point, Mr. Stanek revels in teaching about his characters and his world. No true instant classic here, but it lays a strong foundation and becomes better and better as it goes on. It is not hard to like and fans of the genre should be thrilled.
Rating:
Summary: Better than Lord of the Rings...Here's why...
Review: Why is this better than Lord of the Rings? In my opinion it is because the book is readable by just about anyone. My teens loved this as much as both my husand and I did. The world is highly original. It is populated with gnomes, elves, trolls, giants, hybrid creatures and lots lots more. It has a rich history that is enjoyable to discover. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys Brooks/Goodkind, is frustrated with Robert Jordan, or is looking for a good new series to read. I never wanted to put it down until I was finished. I love all of Robert Stanek's books and I cannot wait until all of the other books come out. Everyone should read all of these books.
Rating:
Summary: Sandy's Review: Keeper Martin's Tale
Review: Ed had his turn now its my turn to give an honest review of "Keeper Martin's Tale." As a first fantasy from a new author, "Keeper Martin's Tale" is excellent and one of the best I've read. I've read all the books by Raymond Feist, David Eddings, Terry Brooks, Terry Goodkind, et al, and prefer this to those. It is simply a magical book. Robert Stanek's writing style is wonderful with lots to like. The world and the characters is deeper than most. In my opinion it is as good as I've seen in first introduction to a brand new world. Is Stanek the best writer you'll read? No but it's darn good. I'd give it 5 of 5 but for a few pesky things that distracted me. You should give this try if for no other reason than to drive the naysayers insane. Incidentally as anyone who has REALLY read the books knows the direct continuation of Keeper Martin's Tale is Kingdom Alliance. It says it clear as day in the books. Guess you'd have to have read the book to know that thought ;-)
Rating:
Summary: Disappointed
Review: Ruin Mist: Keeper Martin's Tale
Robert Stanek's Ruin Mist: Keeper Martin's Tale, an honest critique I was searching for a good fantasy series to buy and Stanek's books are among the highest users rated fantasy books that I have researched on Amazon's site, but they fall far-far short of being "excellent". This is a warning to anyone not to believe users rating without some objective professional review of the book, of which Stanek does not have. The Ruin Mist world is somewhat interesting, but the Author literally seems lazy in his character, and story development. I felt nothing for the characters, and the story does not flow or even seem believable. For example one of the main character sets are Xith and Vilmos who represent the classic master and apprentice wizard relationship in the fantasy genre. This relationship is not believable nor is it described in enough detail to make it interesting. In this book Xith and Vilmos have exactly two very short "training sessions" on the power of magic and that's it. Those sessions do not last long nor do they make you feel any struggle on the part of either the Master or apprentice, but that is all you have in determining what powers Vilmos would develop or how well he likes or dislikes his master. Stanek also bounces around from one place to another without any explanation of how a person moved from here to there. This is just bad writing and the only word I can think of is lazy writing. Overall I can't recommend this book (and as I purchased the first three books in Stanek's series I would dissuade anybody from purchasing any of Stanek's books) BE AWARE THAT THE SECOND BOOK IN THE SERIES ELF QUEENS QUEST IS ALMOST A COMPLETE WORD FOR WORD REHASH OF THE FIRST BOOK WITH JUST MINOR ADDITONS. STANEK'S IDEA OF CAPUTING DIFFERENT POINTS OF VIEW ON THE SAME STORY DO NOT WORK WELL AT ALL WHEN THE STORY IS NOT AT ALL DIFFERENT. THERE ARE MINOR ADDITIONS BUT A GREAT MAJORITY OF THE SECTIONS ARE WORD FOR WORD THE SAME.
| 
