The Kingdoms and the Elves of the Reaches (Keeper Martin's Tales, Book 1)

by Robert Stanek

Book Overview

Exciting adventure full of mystery, magic, elves, monsters, and the ultimate battle between good and evil. Meet Vilmos and Adrina: two strangers soon to become friends. Twelve-year old Vilmos believes that he is merely the village counselor's son with a dark gift of magic. Soon he discovers that nothing is farther from the truth. His is a power that could change his world and as his destiny is revealed, he flees his village in order to save his family...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1575455013
• ISBN13: 9781575455013
• Release Date: January 2004
• Publisher: Rp Media
• Length: 156 Pages
• Weight: 0.51 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 6.1" x 9.1"
• Age Range: 9 to 12 years
• Grade Range: Grades 4 to 7

Customer Reviews

What a great start!

This is where it all starts. The plot is very well done, and there's so many subtle things to pick up on in successive reads. This is the first series of books where I can honestly say each book gets better from here. In fact, each book in the series is successively better than the one before it. What sets these books apart from other fantasy, mystery, and fiction I've read recently is the attention to detail. The characters all have hopes and dreams, desires and pasts. They think, they worry, they fear, they grow, they change like everyone I know. Of the hundreds and hundreds of books I've read, this is the only book where I felt I was living inside the author's imagined world. The world of the story is rich in history and there are many details that bring it to life. The world is rather like one of the characters, it is just as captivating. This series is now high on my list of all time favorites. I think this book would be enjoyable to the non-fantasy lover as well as fantasy lovers.

ENTER THE KINGDOMS OF ELVES AND MEN

Last year I picked up 'The Kingdoms and the Elves of the Reaches' because I wanted to find out what all the talk was about. After reading it, I can see why so many people have been touched and captivated by Stanek's amazing and extraordinary imagination. The truth is that you won't know what all the talk is about until you've actually read at least the first two books. Certainly, I haven't read anything this good or anything this enthralling since Lewis's tales of 'Narnia.' Simply put, this book made me smile. Vilmos, Adrina, Seth, Xith and the others are amazing characters; words cannot adequately or justly describe who they are to Kingdoms-newbies and avid fans out there. The first 3 chapters of the book (especially Vilmos's nightmare scenes) were somewhat difficult for me, because I was constantly reminded of my own night terrors as a boy. His style is an irresistable combination that touches you personally and gets you to think. If any words can describe this book, I'd have to say that this book and the characters it represents are destined to become a genre in itself. 'The Kingdoms and the Elves' made me think, made me feel, which are testaments to all the well-deserved accolades it has received. And yes, I do believe that this book does appeal to just about any age-group. Definitely, there's something special about The Kingdoms and the Elves. This Special Illustrated Edition features a large-size and full page illustrations throughout. The cover alone has a special magical quality that demands attention. The front has an absolutely fantastic picture of Vilmos caught in his dark dreams and the scenes of his dreams are some of the ones restored from Mr. Stanek's original writings on Ruin Mist. I can't believe it was cut originally because they thought it was too dark - I absolutely loved it especially how he meets you know who. The back has three separate full color illustrations - one for each major character (Adrina, Vilmos and Seth) with the large size of the book these illustrations are quite large too and beautifully done. The books includes a guide to the world of the kingdoms called "People, Places and Things in Ruin Mist." Like the book itself, the guide is fully illustrated. In reading the guide, you learn so much about the world of the kingdoms, its inhabitants, and its history. For those who have not picked these books up: Find out what all the talk is about, and discover the magic. I will be a kingdoms fan forever, and so will you.

Great Book, Even Greater Series

Robert Stanek is a gifted story-teller. In his books everyone you meet seems real and even minor players are drawn with detail to give their personalities a lasting impression. This series is four books in all and it has got to be one of the best things I've read in a very long time. Everyone is comparing Stanek to Tolkien, and that comparison is most definitely justified. His storytelling is definitely as masterful as the grandmaster himself, and the characters are as solid and unforgettable as Tolkien's. If you are just starting with this author the illustrated edition of The Kingdoms and the Elves is the place to start. It is amazingly well done and includes lost scenes from the author's original writings. Get this book and the rest of the series, devour it because these books far exceed your average fantasy. It will stand with The Lord of the Rings and Dune as a true benchmark literary acheivement above and beyond most anything else. Utterly unforgettable.

Wonderful story for all ages

I am 49 and my sons live with their mother. I read the first book so that I could have more to discuss with them when we are together. I was so happy with the first one, I went and bought the second book and eventually got all of Stanek's Elves of the Reaches and Service of Dragons books. I have found the books to be very useful to help make conversation and discuss issues with my sons. I am able to use things that Vilmos, Adrina, Seth, et al are involved with to relate how to deal with people and situations in the real world. They are so well written and understandable to both of us. I will be in anticipation for many years for every new one to be released. Mr. Stanek has created a world that makes you want to read and watch as characters grow as if they were your own children. When I think of books that I want my sons to read, I add them to the collections about Narnia, Middle Earth, Xanth, and all the great classic series. I cannot stress enough the need for parents to read the series along with their children. They will enhance hours of conversation and COMMUNICATION between parents and children. I would love to see collections of short stories involving the characters, perhaps as graphic novels as opposed to comic books. These books will never be 'dated'. Perhaps someday Adrina, Vilmos, Seth and the rest will marry and have children who can start a whole new line of stories.

The BEST edition of an amazing book!

I love this series... First things first, you must realize that this is a story about a world in turmoil, but its also about the characters pulled into this chaos. It is a fascinating look into an imaginary world full of wonder. This is book is more of pre-story to the second, third and fourth books, that will give you a base understanding of the main characters in this series, who you will grow to love and care about. This series will draw you in and you will not be able to stop until you have read every book in the series. I this book, but especially because the illustrations are so well done.