Rating: 
Summary: Deep, dark and rich
Review: "Elf Queen's Quest" is the second book in Robert Stanek's wonderful "Ruin Mist Chronicles" series. As I started reading this, I wasn't sure I would like this but this is stunning. All of the magic of the first book, "Keeper Martin's Tale", is here, but the tone is darker, deeper and stronger. Robert has a unique approach in that he provides alternate views of the stories through what he calls "paths".Robert frequently changes viewpoints in the story. It lets the reader see things from different viewpoints, resulting in a better understanding of everything. The story follows several main threads and we get to see what happens before and after the characters stories come together. Robert's writing style is very natural and free of the standard fantasy cliches. I remember no editing errors and no slow spots and as this is a fairly good-sized book that says a lot. Robert starts with a large cast of main or possible-main characters, and the weave of the story helps the reader see the huge culminating confrontations on the horizon. I liked this story a lot. I think this represents a strong start to a great fantasy series.
Rating:
Summary: Hits straight and delivers true
Review: At just over 400 pages, "Ruin Mist: Elf Queen's Quest", the first dark path book from Robert Stanek's "Ruin Mist Chronicles" hits straight and delivers true! I was not a fan of Stanek's fiction until this book. My daughter's the one who introduced me to his writings. She's a pretty big fan of his "Kingdoms & Elves" and "Elf Queen" so I decided to try this one. I must admit that I liked the story and Robert's style kept me busily turning pages. After finishing I put the book down reluctantly. I didn't want the story to end. I went back and read the book again this weekend--something I haven't done in years. Robert Stanek introduces a unique world with lots to offer everyone who would care to listen. Thank you Mr. Stanek for this excellent book! Looking forward to many more...
Rating:
Summary: More good stuff
Review: I've always liked Shannara, Otherland and Middle Earth. I've enjoyed many journeys to these fantastic worlds, and I think the world of Ruin Mist is more of the same. Definitely Ruin Mist is a richly imagined world. As with the other fantastic worlds, you always knew that something great was ahead. Ruin Mist: Elf Queen compares well to other fantasy books I've read recently as well. I liked this a lot. Great diversion for certain.
Rating:
Summary: Solid #2 in series...
Review: This book goes deep into a darker side of Ruin Mist than we've seen previously. We get to see the dark priests, the priestesses of the mother and more of Xith's back story. The trips to under earth (Rill Akh Arr) are a delight. One things for certain is that Robert has carefully thought out the world's history and settings. I must say though that Xith remains a mystery as does Midori who we meet in this book. In truth I don't completely understand Robert's notion of light and dark paths. I do know this though: I haven't liked a series this much in a long, long time. EQQ and KMT are a pair of books that go hand in hand. One is a reflection of the other; the two together a set. According to the book's final notes, the next book in the light path is Ruin Mist: Keeper Martin's Tale Part II. The next book in the dark path is Ruin Mist: Fields of Honor. The book's publisher was very nice when I inquired about the books, pointing me to the web site for more information and providing some interesting tidbits on Robert's concept of alternative histories (paths). Maybe I'm looking to deep into this but I very much liked the books and want to know more. I guess I'll have to wait for the next books in the series to unravel the mysteries the first books hint at. I'm left with many questions though. Like if Lillath and Vil aren't the parents of Vilmos, who is? What secret past do Emel and Adrina have (they've hinted)? Who is the lady of the forest? What's Midori's connection to Talem and others? Is Xith good or evil? I do think this is worthwhile reading. I enjoyed this alternative views; this was something completely new so enjoyable. Robert definitely understands how readers read (and reread) their favorite books. Problem is I'm not sure who to root for anymore; maybe that's the point, to keep you guessing.
Rating:
Summary: Enchanting and magical
Review: A friend recommended "Elf Queen's Quest." My first thought was this book wasn't that good. But to be truthful didn't give the book a chance. I just finished a book that went on and on so forever and wasn't really ready for something new. I picked this book up a couple weeks later, gave another try and that was that. I found out how wrong I was. Robert's style is solid. He delivers in chapter after chapter. The writing touched my mind and my heart long after I read the last page and closed the book. This isn't your average fantasy. The pace is quick. The story moves. You have to read everything. If you speed read through things your not going to get it. As a book to introduce a series I think this is all that. It gives you a strong sense of where things are going, introduces a rich world, strong characters and lots of interesting plots. The book doesn't tie up all the loose ends neatlly in a bow like some others. Instead it closes some and leaves others dangling. I'm definitely going to see what others Robert has written while waiting for the next book.
Rating:
Summary: Another view of a wonderful story...deep and dark and true
Review: Elf Queen's Quest provides another view into Robert's world. Going in, you should know that Robert has a unique approach. Elf Queen's Quest events overlap and run parallel with Keeper Martin's Tale. The stories have different tellers and so the views of events are very different. After finishing the last page of Elf Queen's Quest, I stared off for a long time thinking about the two stories, knowing immediately that Robert had tapped into something wonderful and magical. Here's a guy who truly understands how people read. I've never finished a great book that I didn't want to go back and read, and eventually did re-read. The students that come through my classes are the same; they read their favorite books again and again. The problem is that there is only one first time, and though you re-read a book you can never truly recapture the magic. Well how about a set of books that you can read again for the first time? Wouldn't that be a wonderful thing; wouldn't that author get high praise and deservedly so for tapping into something so basic in our nature that his work is truly an innovation for our time. For a certainty, Robert has a unique understanding of how readers read and what readers like. He's created two paths through his world. He dubs the views into his world: the light path and the dark path. The light path is written as a tale that could have been told by storytellers of old; it's a classic fantasy that's creative, thoughtful and strong. The dark path is written with a different voice; it's deep, dark and epic in scale. I can't remember when I had so much fun reading a book. Robert's style is elegant, clean. The words flow so well it is easy to forget you're reading a book, not seeing it in your mind or hearing it from someone's mouth. The style is uncluttered and unpretentious. Robert taps into something here that is as wonderful as "Harry Potter" but written with a much more intelligent pen. The world Robert weaves, we start to see. It's an introduction as good as any other book I've ever read. I was left with a feeling of wonder, the sort of joy I haven't found since "The Hobbit" and "Ender's Game". The story is strong as are the characters. The descriptions come off the page and are a delight to the imagination. Those who don't understand the story may never like it; there is a complexity, and you really need to enjoy a bit of mystery as well as action and adventure. I give this book two thumbs up and a well-deserved 5 stars.
Rating: 
Summary: Good rainy day reading
Review: Spring gives me the blues cause of rain so I spend most time reading. These are some of the best books I have ever read! They are very well written and have a certain sense of adventure about them! For people who don't like the books I say "YOU JUST DON'T GET IT." There are a lot of books I don't like but this is one a REALLY liked. I also liked "Star Wars: Dark Journey", "Living Dead in Dallas", "Diamond Throne", "Ruby Knight", and "Sapphire Rose". These books I read this spring.
Rating:
Summary: Worthwhile reading
Review: I read all the time. Last books were "Dragon Bones" and "Destiny: Child of the sky". Both fairly good reads. Before that "Lord of the rings" again. I tried to read "Silmarillion" but could never get it. As with "Keeper Martin's Tale", my thought is that this is a book everyone should read (at least once). I don't see how anyone who reads sci-fi could do otherwise. I do NOT think this is the BEST book I've ever read; certainly NOT the magical realm of Middle Earth. I give the high rating because of a fun read. I liked the book (for the most part). You'll find good, fun characters; strong plot. I think if you read to have fun, you'll have it. I also think Robert Stanek has the potential to be a truly great writer; if not great already. HOWEVER, I liked this book much more than "Keeper Martin's Tale". The book's style is much better and much more readable. It is dark and the plot pulls you through the book. At any rate, going to read Robert's upcoming "Magic lands and other stories" if that tells you anything about how I feel about his works. Here's hoping it's three good books in a row! I doubt it'll be drop-on-the-floor and bow down GREAT but you never know. Incidentally I've never really found such a mythic book but I'm hoping to one day. Every book has good parts and bad. Good news is that this is mostly good. My longwinded way of saying you should read this too!
Rating: 
Summary: Clone of Keeper Martin's Tale
Review: ... Ruin Mist was very hard to follow because sections seem to be missing. For example, on page 302, Seth, Galan and Adrina are at a victory banquet and will leave for Imtal the next day. On page 316, Adrina is back at the palace (no explanation as to how or when she got there or where the rest of her companions are) On page 333, she's sponging Seth's brow and we learn that he and Galan were attacked - poisoned- on the return trip but no information as to who, where, when or why. The whole book's that way. The disjointed plot makes it difficult to follow. The typos are also bad. ....
Rating:
Summary: great!!!
Review: Ruinmist elf queens quest and keeper martins tale are two parellell stories that are the best books to read. i recomend it to everyone!!!!! Robert Stanek has truly created two great books. the characters are very interesting because they have different personalitys, you should find them out on your own. Please read both of the books
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