The Kingdoms and the Elves of the Reaches Book II

By: Robert Stanek

Narrated by: Karl Fehr

Length: 4 hrs and 54 mins

Publisher's summary

The epic adventure continues! Unleash the power of your imagination and enter a world you've never dreamed existed. Best-selling author Robert Stanek delivers an epic fantasy adventure that will open your mind and your heart.

Perfect for the young and the young at heart, The Kingdoms and The Elves Of The Reaches Book II is a refreshingly unique fantastic adventure where its only limits are the limits of your imagination.

Inside, you'll discover the breathtaking world of Ruin Mist where the mystical and the magical abound, and you'll fall in love with three heroes: a boy who would become a mage, a princess who is fleeing a dying kingdom, and a warrior elf who undertakes an epic journey.

Listen to more books in The Kingdoms and the Elves of the Reaches series.

©2002 Robert Stanek (P)2005 Reagent Press

Critic reviews

"[A] complex tale...sure to attract fans of graphic novels and classic Tolkien alike....Stanek will likely draw a cult following....This cliffhanger guarantees fans, and those fans will be ready to wield their swords against the Dark Lord in Stanek's next installment." (Voice of Youth Advocates)

ok

I hesitate to rag on this title because its so hard to find, if Audible doesnt carry it, it will be more inconvienient to locate the remaining books. Not sure if this is another series like Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time Series, where there is a endless series of books with no ending/conclusion in sight.

The difference is, Robert Jordan delivers quantity of words; in his early stuff it had substance. Toward the end it seemed he was paid or rewarded by the word.

Robert Stanek has published 8 novels of The Elves of the Reaches, and they probably equal one Lord of the Rings or One Wheel of Time. Thus my irritation.

By the way, the reader here sounds very wooden like the narrator for Wheel of Time's series. Its a style, clearly. One that takes some getting used to.

One of the Best

A wonderful story, a wonderful audible purchase. I liked this so much that I can't wait for my credits to come around before buying the next one. I can already tell this is a story I will want to revisit to every few years,a la Lord of the Rings. Any fan of fantasy should be required to read this at least once.

A Great Book For All Fantasy Lovers

If you enjoy books like Harry Potter, Eragon, Lord of the Rings, and other such books, I know you will love The Kingdoms and the Elves of the Reaches. Once you read the first book and get to this book, you'll be hooked. The books are a little like a mixture of Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter. While Chronicles of Narnia was a childhood favorite, I enjoyed this more and on more levels. The stories are rich with imagery. I definitely can see why this is called the Star Wars of fantasy - because it is.... it is at first blush a simple story, but as you get a deeper better understanding you see how complex it all is and how connected everything is. I majored in creative writing and one of my professors had a saying about how the best writers can make the most complex seems so simple and seem to flow effortlessly. Robert Stanek definitely accomplishes this. I liked the audiobooks so much I bought the printed books too, and I was stunned to find the highly detailed full-page illustrations throughout the first two books. I had never before seen such detailed, rich illustrations in books, and it truly brought the story even more to life, and made the characters all the more real. I completely agree with everyone who says this is a 5 star series, if I could give it 100 stars I would, because it means that much to me. Anyone who hasn't read or listened to this series is missing out on the best thing going, and if you stopped after the first or second book, you missed out completely because books 3 and 4 are even better than the first two. I definitely recommened this audiobook.

Add to your must read list...

The Kingdoms and the Elves of the Reaches Book II is easily the best audio book I've heard lately. The story is well written, but not over done. The amount of details is just right; not too much or too little. I enjoyed seeing the characters grow, which is rare in any book. Adrina is coming into her own, as is Vilmos. Can't wait to listen to the next in the series.

This series gets better and better!

What I really love about this book is how it focuses as much on the characters as on the plot. The book doesn't waste your time with characters, but you get to know them as the story develops and they have to make tough decisions. Also the characters are very substantial and commonly have lots of heart. Each scene takes you to the point of view of a different character in the story, and each character is wonderfully detailed. When they are betrayed or attacked its like you are there with them.

Stanek does an amazing job developing the implications of a world with a rich history, but he doesn't beat it over the reader's head. I really enjoyed the concepts and the parallels to our own world and times.

The bottom line is that this a great accomplishment and I was excited about starting the third installment when I finished this one.

Better and better!!

I was pleasantly surprised by this book. I'm not usually a fantasy fan, but Robert Stanek's books introduces all the right stuff. The characters are strong and we follow them on their adventures. The audiobook has good performances and keeps you riveted. I found myself looking forward to the drive each day, just to get back to the story. I can't wait for the next one!

Easily the best audio book I have heard lately

I was so captivated by this story. The descriptions to the details are fabulous and never too much. The narrator is perfect--once you warm up to his style. *Perfect* Just an outstanding voice.

The book itself is fascinating. Even for people who don't like fantasy, Stanek has written a beautiful guide to a whole new world that is interesting as much for the human characters as for the magical lands itself.

You'll find yourself interested, and you will listen to this book again. It's interesting enough and complex enough that the parts you remember are worth hearing again, and there will be delightful surprises in those chunks you missed.

Absolutely amazing!

All my friends are listening to or reading The Kingdoms and the Elves of the Reaches. This second book is where things get really great. Stanek has created a vast and colorful world. I love the characters and how they change, learn, and grow. When I finished, I could not wait the listen to the next one.

Great Series

This audio series has kept me riveted even though I hadn't previously used audio books. Each book keeps you wanting more. I am hoping that the series doesn't end soon.

Fantastic story

I have read both The Kingoms and the Elves of The Reaches I and II in a week and can't wait for the others to come out on audio so I can listen to them. The characters are great, very interesting. Now that I finished this book, I have to get the next one in the series. It's that good.

Great for all ages! I am going to send copies to my 17 and 15 year old nephews. The narration is very well done.