Rating: 
Summary: Good and very original
Review: When I first read the reviews to this book, it didn't sound like my kind of book. Boy was I wrong! I am pretty strictly a fantasy reader, and I am very picky about what I will buy. Having never read the author or this series before, I passed this book up several times before I finally bought it.Let me tell you how glad I was that I finally read it. I devoured this book and immediately got on-line to order the other books in the series. I have never read a book three times in a row until this one. The story isn't profound or deep but the characters are so vivid and likeable and the world is so consistant and interesting and you just don't want to let it go. I would agree with other reviewers who have said how original the books are and how interesting it all is. It took me two reads to grasp many of the subtelties like the magic, the way keepers communicate, the simple way magic is tought to Vilmos. So, buy this book and go ahead and get the rest of them too. You won't regret it.
Rating:
Summary: A whole different wolrd
Review: Strongly recomended for any fan of the sci-fi/fantasy genre. Mr. Stanek's Ruin Mist Chronicles is wonderful. It has reintroduced me into the world of fantasy novels. In this, the first novel of "Ruin Mist Chronicles", he first introduces the Alders and to some extent the Tyr'anths, and sets in motion the events that will radically alter the face of an entire world. This series is so real and unlike some series where one cannot turn a page without reading about a fairy sparkling with magic Mr. Stanek keeps the supernatural elements at a distance. It is the stuff of myth and legend with all the conspiracies and battles of great epics. Stanek is not afraid to develop his characters, and unlike many fantasy authors, he's equally unafraid of having them meet a violent end. This adds a definite realness to his writing that many contemporary fantasy series lack. His honest writing style actually pulls you into the conflict, and you can almost see yourself in the midst of swirling vortexes, holding your breath for what might happen next. Although a relatively new author, I believe that Robert Stanek is destined to leave his mark upon this genre, and I predict that in time, this series will take it's place next other greats of fantasy literature.
Rating: 
Summary: AWFUL!
Review: I bought this book a few weeks ago, after reading all of the great reviews people had given it on Amazon. I was VERY dissapointed. This book was NOT worth it. The only positive thing I can say about this novel was that the plotline wasn't too bad. I could go on for awhile about all the things I disliked. The characters lacked development, the history of the land was flimsy, and there was no "flow" to the plot. The thing i disliked the most was simply the author's writing style. There was very little description of ANYTHING. There was no character development, little description of character's emotions/thoughts, and huge gaps in the timeline. Also, dialogue between characters was brief, boring, and unrealistic. This book was a chore for me to read.
Rating:
Summary: Very original.
Review: When I first read the reviews to this book, it sounded like it might be one of those books where it had the same background as most fantasy stories, but took it in a bad direction(if you know what I mean). Nevertheless, I ordered it, and was absolutely astounded. I agree with the other reviewers. It *is* very original,comparable to Terry Brooks and Stephen R. Donaldson,while still following the general Tolkienesque tradition. Here are the reasons that it is this good.
1.The plot. Sure, it has the same kind of background, we know that at the end of the series Sathar is going to be destroyed, but the story doesn't unfold in the same way as most fantasy books. Two of the main characters do not know of do not know of the Dark Lord Sathar's awakening, they are going on quests for different reasons. And at the end, you are still left with many unanswered questions, where as in most fantasy books the whole quest is completed and you have a very good idea of what is going to happen in the next book.
2.The characters. When I was reading the reviews of this book I was worried that you might come to hate the characters, but that is not the case at all, they simply are not perfect, just like real people. They have their upsides and downsides, yet are perfectly likeable, not at all like the characters in books that are so perfect that you hate them (cough)R.A.Salvatore(cough).Vilmos, Adrina, Xith, and Keeper Martin were my favorites, Seth and Galan were cool too, but it was a bit hard to cope with them since they talked mentally. Even some badguys have good sides(this is also not a book where you begin to like the evil people).
3. The magic and magical creatures. The way Keepers communicate is so creative,and the way Vilmos is taught magic seems so obvious, yet practically no author does things like that anymore, they get too complecated with magic. The creatures are everything a fantasy-fan could ask for, elves, gnomes, naiads, sylphs, the two-headed Wolmerelle, the shark-like krens.
4.This is quite small, but , the names. I mean, Braddabaggon Foothills, Trollbridge, Imtal, those are absolutely irresistable.
5.Not too much action, well spaced out. But even though I'm not big on action, I have to say, Vilmos vs. Wolmerelle, awesome!!!!!!!
6.Interesting historical background, very complete.
Alright, you've got the general idea, but again, this is a book for all tastes of fantasy, it's the vocal point of the genre. Buy it.
Rating:
Summary: Fantastic!
Review: Okay, I must admit that when I picked up this book I thought it was going to be like any other fantasy book I have read, and even being a fan of fantasy books (like I am) it starts getting dull after awhile (If you've read a lot of them you probally know what I mean). But Keeper Martin's Tale stunned me, it is my 2nd favorite book (my first one being Kingdom Alliance the sequal), and they both are must reads. Robert Stanek did a wonderful job. The story is an epic tale about a group of young heroes an their quests to find themselves and their destinies . I know I must no give the book away so I guess I will stop there. This story is a beautifully written book and Robert Stanek is definately now my favorite author. I have read the book over 6 times now and must force myself to put it down (I even lost a copy once and had to buy another one) So all I can really say that for fantasy lovers or not, teenagers or adults, it is a must read and if you enjoy this one I definately recommed Kingdom Alliance by this author (I've read that one many times too).
Rating:
Summary: A great book
Review: This book is one of the best I have read in a long time! I am a big Tolkien fan and Keeper Martin's Tale is as good or better than Lord of the Rings. I was surprised that such a great book exists! I recommend Keeper Martin's Tale to anyone who enjoys Tolkien and sci-fi/fantasy.
Rating: 
Summary: A teen book
Review: I began to read this after ordering it b/c of all the glowing reviews it received. All I have to say is this is DEFINITELY a book for teens, not adults ...
Rating:
Summary: A Great Book
Review: I gave this book 5 *'s because i couldn't give it 6. Honestly, I don't understand how people could not like this book. And best of all, the later books are even better. The characters are so interesting. I feel like they are old friends, certainly folks I'd want to know. It does leave a lot unexplained at the end, but like GRR Martin, JRR Tolkien, Robert Jordan and so many other great athors it's a continuing story. Good news is since I've read the other books I understand this more. Basically, you need to read the whole series to completely understand everything that's going on but it still stands on its own as a great book.
Rating:
Summary: Outstanding Epic Adventure
Review: Very well-written and complex, and, as others have said be prepared for plot twists and turns. It is no exaggeration to say that among the ever-increasing number of multi-volume fantasy series, each thicker than the last, that Robert Stanek's "Ruin Mist Chronicles" is the clear exception. The books are relatively short, the pacing is fast, and theres a hekc of a lot going on. With wonderful prose, a twisting storyline, and characters that live and breathe, "Keeper Martin's Tale" sets into a motion a tale that will no doubt stand as one of the high points in modern fantasy. Stanek turns standard fantasy cliches on their heads and makes an eminently readable fantasy tale. There is little not to like here. It is very well-written and complex, and the cast of characters is large, and Stanek manages to make us believe in them all. We grow to love them, hate them, fear for them, feel bad for them. The characters are consistent, complex and fascinating. They're in danger quite frequently and you learn quickly Stanek has no qualms about killing off major characters. It makes moments of tension truly tense because it is clear early on that main characters can and will die. The story flows well and what has come before all serves the narrative in a believable fashion. And it is a terrific changing narrative where viewpoints change with each new section and rarely is space wasted. Just about every chapter reveals important information and quite frequently unexpected things happen (and its perfectly sensible and believable). At times Stanek throws in some red herrings to make you think one things is happening, then sends you spinning when you doubt the obvious only to have it actually happen. I was rarely able to predict what was going to happen and that was pure bliss. The story keeps you on your toes that's for sure. At merely 400 pages, one wouldn't think it is a sprawling epic but it is. Stanek creates an entire world populated with wondrous peoples, places and things. Patient readers are rewarded with strange happenings, magic, mystery and mayhem. Definitely a compelling and truly satisfying read. If you like fast reads that you can really get into, or a book that you just can't put down, then this is definetly for you.
Rating: 
Summary: Quite good, but I don't see what the fuss is about.
Review: I've only read the first book in this series, so maybe I'm missing a whole lot that makes this series so "amazing." I liked the plot, and I liked the refreshing, anti-cliche way of things, at least in some respects. But so far the characters are quite flat, and I'm just left wondering where they're coming from. Maybe it's because Stanek doesn't go into their thoughts every other sentence, which is fine, but I don't think the characters come to life very well. Some have claimed that these works can easily stand up to Robert Jordan, Terry Brooks, or George Martin. Well, I've read Martin's Ice and Fire series so far, and the characterization blows me away, as well as the amazing plot twists. This book doesn't stand up to that. I've also read most of Jordan's series, and while Stanek mimics the uncanny ability to veil EVERYTHING in MYSTERY while never giving you a clue as to what's Actually going on, I don't think it really even stands close to the Wheel of Time's epic plot and intriguing struggles. Frankly, I thought this first book was a good read, and I plan to read the rest, but if your looking for something to blow your mind, which I suppose I am as much as the next reader, I'm thinking you'll have to keep searching. I suspect I am. Anyway, it's good, nonetheless, and worth the time.
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