The Kingdoms and the Elves of the Reaches Book II

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)

Absolutely Awesome!

Second better than first and the first was pretty darn good. I've already listened twice. Our whole family is hooked. The reader for these books does an amazing job! I love the voice for Erravane, queen of the wolmerrelle. The story has a breathtaking plot, great description, and action a plenty.

197 of 200 people found this review helpful

Engaging Listen

As other readers have said, the first book got things going and this one brings it all together. I had to fight with my teens for the ipod so I could get to the end of the story. For the next one we've decided we're going to hook it up to speakers and all listen at the same time. Should be fun!

What continues to make this such a good find for me are the characters. I've enjoyed watching Adrina go through the many changes, and Vilmos maturing somewhat as he continue on with Xith. The world setting is expansive as well. The culture of the kingdoms is very rich, as is the culture of the elves.

The story continues to have mystery as well as fantasy. The mystery is what makes this non-fantasy reader very happy.

As with the previous book, I think this book owns all five stars easily. Again, a well written and delightful listen.

The third book will be released May 31 and we are very excited!

142 of 145 people found this review helpful

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.

111 of 114 people found this review helpful

A must read

This book is truly amazing. It is a book you can listen to over and over. My second listen to books 1 and 2 was even better than the first because I picked up on all the subtle things the authors adds to the story. The books have strong character development and the characters personalities shine. The plot is strong and highly original with some sweet twists that are unexpected. To be honest, I rate it right up there with Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter. It's that good. Great for kids and adults. In other words, it's one of my favorite books ever!

36 of 38 people found this review helpful

Fascinating and entertaining

My first introduction to Robert Stanek's amazing world was through The Kingdoms and the Elves of the Reaches book 1. It was an excellent listen indeed. I decided to listen to this second one as it seemed a direct continuation of the story, and thankfully it is. In fact, this second book brings the story lines together, and you get a glimpse of where everything is going from here. The quality of the audio is superb. This book will not disappoint. Bravo, Robert!

24 of 26 people found this review helpful

Excellent book even for a non-fantasy fan

This is one of the few fantasy works that I often recommend to people who are not devoted sci-fi/fantasy readers. Stanek does such a wonderful job of developing the characters in this book that it's worth the read even if you don't enjoy the magic and mayhem. This is an intense novel in which the tension is heightened throughout, and the magical elements never get in the way of Stanek's terrific storytelling skills. The entire Kingdoms and the Elves series is worth reading, and this one is no exception. Regarding the audio, the narration here was enjoyable and the narrator did a nice job capturing the characters.

23 of 25 people found this review helpful

I loved this book!

Cheers to a fabulous story, and a telling to remember. The first book in the series is good but this is a cut above. Very highly recommended.

31 of 34 people found this review helpful

Fantastic!

Start with the first one because that's where the story begins but keep going to this one and the next ones because they are what make this series so fantastic! Suffice to say I enjoyed book one, loved book two and was hooked for good. Books 2, 3 and 4 are why Robert Stanek is my #1 favorite author. In the Service of Dragons is just as good!

20 of 22 people found this review helpful

Most enchanting series this decade

I have listened to about 120 audiobooks in the past five years and this one is arguably the best, even better than the first in the series. Compelling story, beautifully written and by far the best adaptation to an audiobook because the reader catches so much of the essence of the characters. I believe that the reader made this book better than the written word can possibly cover because he brings the story to life. I have listened to this book again and again and again. And so should you.

19 of 21 people found this review helpful

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.

19 of 21 people found this review helpful

What can I say....Brilliant!!

The most reread able and the most engaging book I have had the fortune to read. After reading this book and being totally enthralled I have in the weeks after finishing reading it have read all the others, and loved them all. Overall this book was fantastic, much better than the first one. Gripping, moving, and most of all entertaining. You have to read this book as it?s the most amazing book ever.

4 of 5 people found this review helpful