The Elf Queen & the King (Ruin Mist Tales, Book 1)

I am 46 and my 14 and 15 year-old 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 Ruin Mist Chronicles. 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. He 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.

As I am a great fan of Harry Potter and have read each of J.K.'s books to my children, I couldn't wait to start this series which has been compared very favorably to the Harry Potter series. I agree. I enjoyed the book, and found it to be filled with as much action and plot development as any of the Harry Potter books. I'll start by saying I hope there is potential of more Elf Queen and the King books after book 2.I think the thing that makes most people and I to read the Elf Queen and the King and other Robert Stanek's books is the simplicity with which he describes the most intricate of things. His books can be seen with two points of views, a childish lighthearted way and a more enigmatic darker way. The first book is enchanting and leaves readers thirsty for more. It is an excellent read.

If you enjoyed Tolkein's Lord of the Rings, get set to enter a world just as intriguing! Mr. Stanek has written a great book, a worthy beginning to an epic fantasy series. What makes this book so special is Stanek's ability to make us care about each and every character! The story is complex and fascinating, the author juggles the complex tale with spectacular skill, never allowing us to forget that what really matters is what we feel about the people involved. The political intrigue adds depth to already great plot lines. If you like to get so wrapped up in a book that you can't wait to get home to read more, this is the series you need to get into. Every time you think you've figured out what the next turn of fate will be, Stanek pulls the rug out from under and makes you say wow. This is some of the finest writing I've found in the last decade, but to really understand you have to try to put together the pieces of the parallel history offered in this book and the next one. Remember this is only the beginning, things get deeper, better from here. Final note if you haven't read The Kingdoms and the Elves of the Reaches books (1,2,3) you may want to start there first.

good very good in fact it's so good that you'l love and treauser this book for a long time if not forever my goodness it's a very interesting book i love it!the world is rich and delighting make more...the charecters are super the story is great I could tell so many good things about this book...but I won't because it will ruin your fun heh heh heh ha ha ha ha this review is telling you about all robert staneks great book. movie must make, action figures must make, kings mate the game must make, tv show must make now! thank you this review was made possible and brought to you by someone triying to help you with your life!

This book introduces us to the mysterious world of Ruin Mist. I'll be the first to admit that I am late in joining the Ruin Mist craze. My son wanted to read it, so we read it together, and I was pleasantly surprised!It's the story of a great change coming to a magical world and those that have a part in that change. Vilmos is a young boy. He lives a somewhat normal life with his "mother" and "father", until his dreams become more than figments of his imagination. With the help of a mysterious benefactor, Vilmos gets away just before he is found out for what he really is (a wizard-to-be). It is also the story of a princess, who is heartbroken, and the journey she undertakes that changes her life and helps her come to terms with the loss of her mother. Robert Stanek put together a true masterpiece. Not only did the book set the stage for the following books, but it allowed the reader to feel like they were right there within the story. This is one well written book, as it has a little bit of everything. There's well-developed characters, mystery, suspense, conflict of good vs. evil, and more. This was a truly good book and a pleasure to read. This book should be enjoyed by readers of all ages!