The Kingdoms and the Elves of the Reaches Book IV

By: Robert Stanek

Narrated by: Karl Fehr

Length: 4 hrs and 21 mins

Publisher's summary

Here is the fourth volume in Robert Stanek's magnificent Keeper Martin's Tales, the series fans have called the Star Wars of fantasy. Filled with mystery, intrigue, adventure, and magic, the audiobooks transport us to a world unlike any other. Praised as an instant classic, Robert Stanek's outstanding series has quickly become a favorite.

To turn back the tides of war, Queen Mother sent her most trusted warriors on a perilous journey across the Great Sea. But the elves were betrayed by one of their own. Only a handful survived the ambush that followed, only two reached the far shores. But they did not find quick allies. They found a kingdom under siege and a shattered alliance. The elves proved themselves to the men that defended Quashan'. They, along with the mysterious Xith, the would-be mage Vilmos, Princess Adrina, and their friends helped turn the battle in Great Kingdom's favor.

For their support, the elves were granted an audience with the king. Yet great deeds could not undo the past, or change the prejudice of men. Elves and men are enemies, as it has been through time. The Alder King had his own concerns. The kingdom alliance was shattered. An ally, and a great king was dead. War between the kingdoms seemed inevitable. If there was any hope of restoring the alliance, he must rid the kingdom of the enemy's spies. But was such a thing possible without the backing of those he needed the most?

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

©2003 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)

Entire series is great!

A must listen even if you aren't a fantasy fan. Robert Stanek really draws you in. You see and feel everything the characters see and feel. The story is original and has a fast pace with enough details and depth. My drives flew by, and I found it hard to stop listening. I love how it all comes together. The ending had me on the edge of my seat with every twist and turn. By all means, listen to this series. By far the best I've read/listened to.

Thank you Robert Stanek

In the magical world of Ruin Mist, elves who long ago emigrated from the "kingdoms" live in the far off reaches, but have now been forced to return to the lands of men. Stanek does a grand job of world-building, with a fine economy of words-no unnecessary details bog down either the setting or the invigorating story. In his world, everything has meaning and you will enjoy going back through the previous Kingdoms and the Elves books to find new meanings to the events that unfolded previously. Unlike Vilmos who cannot wait to escape from the dark forces that bind him, you will likely find it to be a fantastically engaging adventure.

Vilmos and his ancient friend Xith take the next step on their magical journey through the over world, the under world and places in between. Here in this fantasy world, vilmos starts to come to terms with his magical powers, and because of a mysterious prophecy, realizes he is at the center of what is happening in this mysterious world.

The author bases his book on the relationships between the characters that vilmos meets and Vilmos's own journey of self-discovery. The author's ending is true to the fantasy he has created in his world, with hints regarding Vilmos's next adventure. Stanek's story is an adventurous read for all ages.

The descriptions of magical realms and the book's many characters are so distinct that the reader fully visualizes them and sees them as real. I recommend Stanek's book to readers of all ages who love fantasy and mystical reading adventures.

The Dragon King Awaits!

Just when I was thinking it couldn't get any better, the author delivers the grand finale of a terrific series! Our family loves these books, and by far the best series we've listened to on Audible. I recommend these books to anyone, from any age group, that likes fantasy, mystery and far away worlds. If you don't like such things, well, you will after you finish reading this one!

This is a great series!

I have been eagerly anticipating the final book of the series ever since I listened to the first book. Like all of the previous books in the series, the story has good pacing, interesting characters, and plenty of action, mystery, and excitement. Of the four books, I thought this one was the strongest, even though my favorite of the four is book three.

This was a very entertaining series which never failed to surprise and delight. I love the large cast of characters, and found everyone to be so well drawn that I could picture them in my minds eye. I particularly liked seeing the minor characters emerge from the background. In most books one or two characters carry the book. In this one there are so many, and I loved them all or at the very lest loved to hate them as with the vile Erravane for example.

Read and enjoy books 1,2,3, and then read this one. I highly recommend it!

Excellent

I bought this entire series after seeing an interview with the author in the news and I'm so glad I did. Robert Stanek is a fantastic writer. The Kingdoms and the Elves of the Reaches series is truly excellent. I can see what he is called America's Tolkien. He's gifted, talented, and underappreciated yet has managed to create one of the most brilliant and stirring works I've ever read. Taken individually, I'm not so sure I would have the same reaction but together these four books are magnificent and far outshine anything else. If you are considering this book and the rest, don't hesitate but do stick with it through the entire series. In the Service of Dragons is just as good but more action oriented than adventure oriented.

Puzzling

What cheeses me off about this series is it is highly acclaimed. This is somewhat puzzling and unclear to me why that is so. After 4 books, the storyline should have elapsed more than it did, which was to only serve as a lead in for another series of books. There is no conclusion whatsoever.

What ticks me off the most is these books are skinny in hard cover and hard to find in the library system.

So seeing it in Audible was very pleasing to finally, easily, access the series.

To be fair, this reader is unlike any other readers encountered and, is probably

supposed to be as a conscious choice. Once that is gotten beyond, the subject matter leaps about so badly I thought a section was skipped or I had fallen asleep briefly. Or was bumped to a different book in error. Multiple times.

Add this to your must read list!

Robert Stanek is a very gifted story-teller. The Kingdoms and the Elves of the Reaches IV is the last book in a great series. This is a must have for your audio collection. I have read all four books, and I could not put them down.

There's a lot to like in these books from magic and mystery to ingrigue and mayhem. The characters are what I truly like that in a series. With the many characters it is hard to pick a favorite. They are all well done. I especially like how Adrina, Vilmos and Seth go through so many changes and come out the better for the wear.

This book with the other three parts offers the opportunity to live for a time in a fascinating world and well described world. I feel as if the world is a place right around the corner from my house that I wish I could reach.

Unlike some books, these books aren't thin on plot either. The plot has plenty of twists and turns, and I was never able to guess exactly what was going to happen. Definitely something you can listen to again and again.

To concluse, this is a satisfying conclusion to a great series. Start at the first one and keep going until this one. It is well worth it.

This is a great series!

I just finished the series. This fourth book is as well written and entertaining as all the others. I have nothing but high praise for the author. The narrator is good throughout. I am amazed by how much I care about the characters. I am going back to listen to the whole series again.

Terrific storytelling and well read

What surprises me most about this book series is that the quality increases instead of lessening with each new book. R. Stanek continues to focus as much on the characters as on the plot. The balance of superb action, background exploration, and character discovery was perfect. The world of the kingdoms is entirely believable, engaging, and amazing. You will not regret getting any of the books in this series.

I would recommend this series to any and all lovers of great stories and not just fantasies. Stanek is now my favorite author and I can't wait to see what else he's written.

A great ending to a great set of books

There's definitely something about "The Kingdoms and the Elves of the Reaches." For those who have not picked these books up: Find out what all the talk is about, and discover this magical, enchanting world. Adrina, Vilmos, Seth, Xith, Emel and the others are amazing characters, and I loved joining them on their adventures.

Certainly, I haven't listened to anything this good or anything this enthralling since Lewis's stories of "Narnia." Any Harry Potter, Narnia, or Eragon fan that hasn't read this is missing out big time. Stanek has done a great job in weaving their differing points of view into a highly coherent story. It's a big cast of central characters too. There are heroes you will love, villians you will hate, and many others in between.

This book and the others appeal to just about any age-group. I highly recommend this for all readers of fiction. I loved it!