Review: Absolutely riveting
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 03 16, 2014
Robert Stanek is a “wizard” of the written word: his book, ‘The Kingdoms and the Elves of the Reaches’, apparently the first book in a series, explodes with action and excitement, but still with that requisite emotional gravitas that makes even the most fantastic tale worth reading. If you’ve finished reading some of those Terry Pratchett or Neil Gaiman or even Tolkien books and you’re looking for a new author to enjoy, then make it this one: you won’t be disappointed.Like many unforgettable fantasy tales, this book is mostly about an epic journey, an unlikely band of heroes, and a beautiful world to be saved. An interminable darkness blankets Ruin Mist, mostly because of a solution that turned out to cause more harm than good: to heal the physical and spiritual landscape, the land’s rulers ban magic. But a powerful and evil Lord manages to take advantage of the magic-free (and therefore vulnerable) Ruin Mist, leaving its people with a single, although complicated, solution—and one that requires much sacrifice. In this situation enters three characters coming from different walks of life who—against the overwhelming odds—must soldier on in an all-or-nothing bid to save their world—and that’s only for starters.Stanek vividly paints a world so stunning in its beauty and breathtaking in its magical possibilities that you can “see” everything in your mind’s eye. Clearly, Stanek is at the height of his literary powers, and he wields it with panache and vision rare among self-published authors. I highly recommend ‘The Kingdoms and the Elves of the Reaches’ to any fan of the genre—you won’t be disappointed. Get a copy of this book today—it’s also a perfect gift to like-minded friends and loved ones.