Rating: 
Summary: Wow, a classic!
Review: If you like magic then this is the Book! I can sincerely say that this is definitely a worthwhile read. Once I started it I neglected everything else, I just could not put it down. Robert Stanek writes uncomplicated but beautiful prose and his has talent shines bright in this book. I think the story was good because I could understand it better then all the other books. My favorite part is when Adrina meets the lady and then when Vilmos meets the wolmerrelle. And the book had so many details to it. When you read it, it seems like youre actually there. I cant wait to read Keeper Martin's Tale 2: Kingdom Alliance.
Rating: 
Summary: Good hype but not a good read
Review: I am a voracious reader and have read a lot sci-fi, fantasy, etc. I bought the whole series (stupidly without reading one first) based on the fantastic reviews. The books are barely adequate and in some cases whole pages seem to be lifted from one Stanek book and put into another book. I kept thinking, oh this is the one I read -- but it wasn't. Quite. I respect anyone who writes -- I can't do it myself -- but these books are only barely interesting.
Rating:
Summary: Man what a book
Review: I really never enjoyed fantasy novels until I read Keeper Martin's Tale. I usually prefer more realistic books, but Robert Stanek portrays his characters so realistically and his books are so exciting that you can't stop reading. If you read only one fantasy book this year make it 'Keeper Martin's Tale'! The details and characters of the book stand out--its not long-winded or overdone. For me it was just about perfect, especially for any one with an imagination. Stanek is a master story teller. The book reads like The Two Towers movie where the scenes are fast, to the point and constantly changing in view. I don't know how any one wouldn't like it. Now if you really like long winded detail that seems to be the order of the day in most fantasies, this may not be for you. I for one though love that scenes move along and everything has purpose.
Rating:
Summary: What a fantastic waste of time!
Review: ...I struggled to even finish them. And yes, they are pretty much the same book. It was only out of morbid curiosity that I read through the Elf Queen book after Keep Martin. The only "wonderous" thing about this series is just how poorly it was written.... The plot line and character developement seems like it was formulated with yellow post-it notes, a few of which were lost or inserted out of order. I could go on, but there's really no point. DO NOT buy into this series.
Rating:
Summary: This book is awesome!
Review: I think that this is the best series every written! I am currently on the third book and I think that they are getting better, and better, and better. I have enjoyed fantasy but I have never read fantasy like this. The seat-of-your pants approach makes many other author's books seem boring and ordinary. Stanek gives us a fast paced and complex series that keeps you paying attention. A lot of people seem to hate that Mr. Stanek leaves more mysteries left at the end than mysteries solved but I love that quality because it shows us that we have to use our minds to think along with the characters.
Rating:
Summary: A great beginning to a great series
Review: This book was wonderful in many ways. First, the description used in everything from describing characters face to what the weathers like was wonderous. The characters are very beliveable and are put in situations in which they react like humans, not heros like in other books. The narrative and dialouge working perfectly with one another. The setting is perfect for those enjoy Sword and Sorcery type games and medieval history. Overall I think it is one of the best books Ive ever read beaten only by others of the series. If you like anything fantasy you should at least look at this book, you won't be dissapointed.
Rating: 
Summary: Never judge a book entirely on its reviews!
Review: ... I found far too many cliches and regular plot lines; for example, yet another "magically endowed orphan" is left with puritanical foster parents to protect him from the evil forces seeking to sway him to their side of the struggle. Where, you might ask, is the novelty in that plot line?! Moreover, I never felt involved in any of the characters or political situations. There was none of the imperial grandness evident in the so-called Great Kingdom. Furthermore, the dialogue seemed disjointed and strained. Too many of the characters say the same things over and over, and for totally contrived reasons. For example, the princess constantly states her ability to bat her eyes to get men to do her every bidding, then she mentions, out of the blue, that she can hold her own against any man in a sword fight. In my humble opinion, this book, and perhaps the entire series, pails in comparison to the deft prose, monumental novelty, and fantasy intrigues of Robert Jordan's earlier works in the Wheel of Time series. To my mind, the latest and greatest of modern fantasy writing can be found in the recent works of George R. R. Martin. In his series, magic is a subtle and inexplainable force, rather than a bludgeoning tool in the Jordan universe. So, I would suggest you take the positive reviews on Keeper Martin's tale with a very heavy grain of salt. "good" or true "evil". An interesting thing about the first set of books is how Robert very subtly points to the reality that there are dark forces at work. We learn of Sathar who has survived the Dark Journey and war banners being raised in the Kingdoms of the Elves. But we don't see this firsthand; it is something looming on the horizon. We learn of the dark "change" that is coming to the Kingdoms of Men. First from the lady in the tower and then from the lady of the forest. Both are mysterious benefactors of Adrina. We know of a dark cleansing of magic in the lands of man as Vilmos is nearly of victim of this but don't know if the Priests of the Dark Flame are truly "evil" or merely carrying out orders. And the shapechanging beasts, the wolmerrelle, are but shadows of the possible darkness that lies in Under Earth. I will not bore you with anymore details. What I will say, however, that no matter what your age is, give Keeper Martin's Tale a try.... It is a very entertaining, well written, easy to read book. It is a very enjoyable change of pace. My best suggestion is for you to quit reading this, and just read the book. Or re-read it! If you don't like it, keep going. Book 2, Elf Queen's Quest, is an utter delight (and it provides insights that will change your opinion of everything). I highly recommend this book to everyone!
Rating: 
Summary: So glad I found this
Review: Stanek's book is a brilliant combination of old ideas and new ideas, which helps deliver an overall great read. Stanek does a wonderful job developing the implications of a world with a rich history without beating it over the reader's head. I really enjoyed the concepts and the parallels to our own world and times.
Rating:
Summary: A fantastic thrilling book
Review: As a long time fantasy book reader this has got to be one of the best stories I have ever read. The characters and the world come to life unlike any book of the genre. It is sorta like a Tolkien story with a good dose of fun added to keep you craving for more. Very highly recommended.
Rating:
Summary: A pleasant surprise!
Review: I'm not a big fan of the fantasy genre. With few exceptions, I've found it not to my liking. When I first saw Keeper Martin's Tale, I assumed, by its cover, that it would be more of the same. Then my friends were talking about how good the series is. I read the first book and must admit I was wrong. The old saying don't judge a book by its cover is true. It's good. Why? The book will pull you in and make you want to read. Most fantasy worlds have a variety of different races (men, elves, dwarves, whatever) all setting off on epic quest of some sort. Usually, there's magic of some sort too. The fantastic creatures and magic are here, but not the focus.
Keeper Martin's Tale is set in a feudalistic society, a medieval story. Most of the story is a story of power, those who want it, and the intrigue surrounding the achieving of it. The characters are very life like. They each have their own beliefs, goals and personalities. They behave here just as people have always done in the real world, for good and bad, and for most part you can't really tell who is good or bad. I like this. It is more realistic. Stanek has done a commendable job in creating his world, populating it with believable peoples, and filling out thousands of years of history to give it all a deep sense of texture. And this leads me to my only criticism. I feel that Stanek has a tendency to be a bit brief in his descriptions. In other books I've read I routinely skip the several sentences or paragraphs at a time to get to the good stuff. I've gotten used to having to do that. Here if you skip anything or skim you're going to miss something and usually something important.
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