Elves Books

These illustrations do not conform to Dover's usual brilliant interpretation of great art into a coloring book format. I have been loving Dover coloring books since my first copy of "Ancient Greece" which I shared with my mom when I was two. I was looking for an alternative to Disney fairies for my four-year-old, but these illustrations have neither the charm of Margaret W. Tarrant nor the simplicity of Dover's usual interpretations. The illustrations have a Gothic quality and the faces leave too little to the imagination.

These are beautiful coloring books because they are so different then the ones that are out there. Beautiful intricate pictures that not only children will love but adults as well.

I love this book it can be hard sometimes to find adult coloring books that are worth coloring but I love this one.

I have given this coloring book to my girls two years in a row. This is an excellent alternative to Disney characters and other more commonly found coloring pages. The creatures in this book are beautiful and contain enough detail to challenge and inspire creativity in an older child, while the quality of the paper can stand the abuse of a toddler. Highly recommend.

I love this coloring book, it has a small paragraph for each picture telling about the faeries. I use acrylic paints and it's great

This anthology contains "Songs," the professional debut of Barbara Geiger, who is bound to become a big name in the fantasy field. Mark my words: this will be a sought-after collectors' item because of this.

This is an excellent read. I thoroughly enjoyed each and could not put it down. I especially liked the "Diminishing" by Erin MacKay and "Bad Company" by K. D. Wentworth. I would highly recommend this collection.

..."The Elf Knight and Lady Isabelle", which was inspired by the similarly named traditional ballad. In the ballad, a mysterious 'elf knight' lures women away in order to murder them. But Lady Isabelle, the last of the women, charms the elf knight to sleep so as to tie him up and stab him. While listening to the Steeleye Span rendition of the ballad in my car, I had a sudden inspiration: "I know why he kills them!" I shouted, slamming on the brakes. (Luckily, I was on a dark, deserted road in the Santa Cruz Mountains.) The story was born out of that inspiration. I hope that readers enjoy not only "Elf Knight" but the many other fine stories in this anthology.

I was very interested in this anthology when I heard about it, because I always love to see new things done with old fantasy tropes. But I was disappointed because the vast majority of this book is same-old same-old. The elf tales are indeed all dark -- sometimes in a contrived and ill-fitting way -- but they're also firmly settled in the European tradition, mostly medieval with a smattering of modern-day, and almost none of them do anything new or unique. I liked only a few stories in this book: Margaret Fisk's "Curve of her Claw" was an interesting reworking of the idea of small mischievous elves who play tricks in the night -- hers are carnivores, and they especially love brains. Murray Leeder's "Rotten Blood" could have fit well into the Tolkien universe, except that one of his elves realizes the inherent contradiction in a race of immortals which calls itself natural, so he finds a way to make them mortal. Christe M. Callabro's "Kin of the Blood" played with the notion of dark and light elves through a pair of sisters, one of whom must kill the other.

Even though I liked these tales, though, I didn't love them. And a number of other tales in the book were frustrating in that they showed the potential to be really original, but then veered off into same-old same-old territory. David Corwell's overlong "The Legacy of the Quedana" featured a tribe of elves with a Native American flavor, but then imposes on them the same cliched plot seen in many "Indian" stories. Erin McKay's "Diminishing" is a modern-day whodunnit unremarkable in any way except that it touches on elves' reaction to human multiculturalism... but it's only a touch, not revisited at any point in the story. Given how much is made of it early in the story, the fact that this element is ignored later makes it feel like a forgotten, dangling plot-thread.

The volume also suffers by the inclusion of illustrations by Star E. Sutezzo that feel like comic-book art -- occasionally appropriate, but frequently not, and wholly not to my taste. Even the introduction by Drew Hayes feels rambly and purposeless; it added nothing to the book.

I have to admit that my frustration with this book may stem from a mismatch of expectations. I'd hoped to see some really unique or interesting stuff -- not just dark elves but *different* elves; new takes on old myths, or exploration of more obscure myths regarding elflike beings, or blends of elf myth with the mythos of werewolves, witches, etc. Unfortunately what this book contains is mostly "blackwashing" of the usual elf tropes. If that's what you're looking for, you won't be disappointed, but for me the book was a bust.

OK, you may find this review a little biased, as my husband Jon Sprunk's first published work, "The Artist" appears in this anthology, but as a long-time reader of fantasy, I think I can say in all honesty that the stories included here are interesting and well-written. My favorites (besides the obvious!) are: "Curve of Her Claw", by Margaret McGaffey Fisk, "Rotten Blood" by Murray Leeder, and "Songs" by Barbara Geiger, to name a few. Give it a try...you may find you didn't know as much about elves as you thought you did.....

WORK SHOP... I READ THIS TO MY ENTIRE FAMILY & NONE OF US LIKED THIS STORY AT ALL... THIS BOOK SHOULD HAVE BEEN & COULD HAVE BEEN SO MUCH BETTER WITH THE COLORFUL PICTURES & REFFERENCES TO THE LATE GREAT.... but instead left US ALL SHOOK UP OF WASTING $10.00 & OUR TIME READING IT! (A WISH TO BE A CHRISTMAS TREE OR WHERE O WHERE IS SANTA CLAUS OR A PERFECT SNOWMAN OR THE LONGEST CHRISTMAS LIST EVER) or for plain out silly (DRAGON'S MERRY CHRISTMAS)WON'T LEAVE YAHs SINGIN THE BLUE's!

This book is fun. We love the illustrations. Very detailed and colorful. Well done!!!

Great story for kids to follow along with. Great illustrations that are very detailed. It's the kind of book that we all had fun with.

The Clauses are not quite a hard hearted woman and a soft hearted man, but they run a heckuva workshop and one man micromanages the elves!

One elf bore a strong resemblance to Elvis Presley. After he bungles at toy making, the shop foreman all but banishes him to Jailhouse Rock. There, Elfis meets a snowman who reminds one of a snowy version of Little Richard who helps him find his niche. A transformation later - an Elfish version of Elvis!

Returning to the elves' workshop, Elfis in his new King of Rock regalia, armed with a guitar transforms that workshop into a fun place where they all mass produce the toys and have a rocking good time! Now, you ain't nothing but a hound dog if you can't see the humor in this one. It's delightful!

A fun to read, out of the norm, Christmas book. My daughters-7 & 5 loved it. The illustrations were adorable (my favorite was Elfis in his jumpsuit). I had to listen to a few Elvis songs to remember the beat, but once I "rehearsed" we had a blast reading it. Lots of fun! I recommend it for a lighthearted reading.

The second I picked up this Novel by Cassandra Holroyd I was immediatley engulfed by the characters and the eniviroment that was so beutifully described by the author. I highly recomend this novel to anyone who has ever enjoyed the english language on any level. If the world leaders of planet earth would just sit down and read this book tonight, there would be no war tommorow, there possibly might not even be a need for countries the next day as it would unite this planet in a social hormony not seen by any race of species that may or may not be inhabiting any other planet in this universe at this very momment. That is how good it is. It is a good fantasy yarn. I used the word yarn. That is how good it is. Peace to all.

I have just finished the Journey of the Last Prohet. Although the title is a little misleading it was a very good read. I found it to be a young persons' view of the fight in all of us of good and evil and how love can blind you, family bind you, and fantasy release you from every day life. A must for anyone over ten years old.

I was unable to put this book down. I hope all young people can see themselves in the well decribed characters. I loved Veranus.

I was unable to put this book down. I hope all young people can see themselves in the well decribed characters. I loved Veranus.

I have just finished the Journey of the Last Prohet. Although the title is a little misleading it was a very good read. I found it to be a young persons' view of the fight in all of us of good and evil and how love can blind you, family bind you, and fantasy release you from every day life. A must for anyone over ten years old.

This was a very good little essay on why Terry Brooks writes fantasy, but more importantly it might help you articulate why YOU READ fantasy for inquiring people. Perhaps you feel some of the same consternation that Terry Brooks feels in explaining his writing. I admit that I feel it from time to time too and perhaps have even succumbed to it. There's a corner of my brain that occasionally feels that I've "outgrown" fantasy. But at some point I'll invariably reread Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings or Stephen R. Donaldson's The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant the Unbeliever and reaffirm in my mind that hey, there's a whole lot of depth here.

I first was introduced to Terry Brooks through his The Shannara Trilogy in my twenties. I remember enjoying it so much that I think I flew through the big books. But at some point I guess I lost my way thinking that adults should read "adult" books. So thanks Terry for helping me remember the importance of fantasy and realizing that there is a place for it in every adult's life. You'll be able to find me in the fantasy aisle of the bookstore.

Terry Brooks gives an interesting mini-biography as well as a well-written introduction to the world of fantasy.

Terry Brooks' short story gave me a unique look into the world of Fantasy authors. After reading his story, I was able to gain insights into what makes a successful fantasy story, and how Mr. Brooks defines himself in the oblique landscape of fiction authors.

I would recommend this story to anyone who has tried to, or wants to write fantasy stories, it gives some very helpful advice and observations.

This was a very interesting read for me. I have read seven of Mr. Brooks' fantasy books, so getting the "why" which eventually leads to the "how" was rewarding. Fantasy is a very difficult medium in which to write, for all of the reasons he lists in this article and more.

But fantasy also allows the writer to shrug off the shackles of the real world and, if you want, use it as allegory. Some of the greatest writers of our time have done so, to name two, Shakespeare and Hawthorne, although they didn't emply elves or "fantasy realms" to do so.

My take on this essay, which nicely illuminated the problems that fantasy writers have explaining themselves to others as to not be assumed insane, is that Mr. Brooks writes about elves because he wants to, he likes to, and those are the stories that come natural to him. That's really all the explanation anyone need give for why they write the stories they do.

Interesting to hear how Terry Brooks gets his inspiration and why he writes about elves. As a writer, I was eager to see if his mind works anything like mine. Kinda freaky to learn it does.

He looks like a handsome version of a little leprechaun to me, so I always thought his "relatives" were feeding him insider information. Grin!

Happy to learn he's only human ... like the rest of us hard-working writers. I always say that "writing a story is like sliding down a rainbow. ... The actual writing when one's imagination is free to wander is fuuuuuun. But marketing is like wading through a field of sticky, "chewed" bugglegum."

I wonder if Brooks would agree with me. - review by Betty Dravis, author of the Amazon Short "V.O."

I am a big fan of epic fantasy...Jordan, Goodkind, George R.R. Martin...etc., and even that caliber of writer has some lags in their works, but I have reached page 170 in this book, and am having trouble continuing. The idea of the story, which has been somewhat effectively communicated, although shakily, is a pretty good one, but it has been loosely developed, at times not spending enough plot development time, and at other times spending too much time on romance novel type storylines that I did not find natural in a story of non-human characters, and a lot of little unncessary details overattempting to make clear that these characters are humanlike, and are experiencing some modern day challenges. Many times in the 170 pages I have been through, I found myself putting the book down and asking myself, do I want to go on? For me the fancy printstyle was also overbearing and slowed my comfortable reading pace. I am going to give up on this book, and will not be reading the remaining 5 of this projected 6 book series. I do not like to force myself to go on...rather, I should have to force myself to put the book down...

For you fans, there is much better material out there...

Saulander Evans takes all the best parts of science and folklore, mixes it up with romance and humor to produce something really unique. The archaeological framework takes the story to another level-a story within a story-and makes one wonder if elves, giants, and dragons aren't actually a possibility. Ms. Evans forthright prose keeps the story moving and she doesn't shy away from a good lusty or terrifying scene. One of the best reads I've had in a long time.

Choices Born of Prophesy by Saulander Evans is an interesting book. It is entertaining and easy to read. When I saw this book for the first time I thought it's going to be just like another fantasy book but after I read the first couple pages I can't put this book down.
Choices Born of Prophesy started with the first generation of elves and dwarfs then evolved to much more later on. The story line progress as the characters become more mature without leaving out details. It must have take a lot of time and efforts to make all the graphics and papyrus that are included inside the book. Not like other fantasy book that used lots of difficult words, this book surprisingly is easy to read even for me who use English as a second language. With all those said I highly recommend this book and can't wait for the next volume.

This is a wonderful book with a unique storyline that will keep the lights on and the pages turning. "Choices Born of Prophesy" takes the "standard" fantasy myths (elves, dwarves, giants) that many of us discovered in our youth and puts some very creative spins on them. Though narrating events of long ago, the content and language is very accessible and echoes some of challenges faced by the non-fantastical, modern reader. My only complaint is that, unlike some of those discoveries of my youth, I will now have to wait for the next five installments of this series.

Forrest weaves a beautiful tapestry of characters in this continuation of Tomas the Rhymer's story. It is the year 878 AD, and Moira, Queen of the Welsh Elves, is pregnant with twins Tomas fathered. In Elfland, some speculate that Moira carries the children of a much disputed prophecy. Division over the prophecy spurs the leaders of the Nine Realms into a violent struggle for power. The Elf Lords Rhys and Finvara lead the resistance that would eliminate the unborn children and the children's claim to power in Elfland. Also-unknown to all others-the demi-god Loki watches and waits preparing plans of his own.

In addition to the wonderful cast of returning characters, 'The Elves Prophecy' presents an enigmatic Lord of the Air named Nissyen, and two deliciously hateful antagonists: Daniel the Priest and Isolde the dusky Queen of the Sidhe. Despite a slow start cluttered by description, Forrest builds 'The Elves Prophecy' to a raging climax that is sure to both surprise and please.

After truly enjoying "The Rhymer and the Ravens" - I was a bit worried that the second book in the series was going to be a let down (they so often are). To my sincere pleasure - The Book of Being was excellent. The characters in these books get under your skin unlike any (regardless of genre) that I have read in quite a long time. I've just started on the "The Bridge" and I'm excited about the possibilities left for Tomas, Moira, and the Twins. These are genuinely good books that are as strong as any contemporary fantasy I've read (period) - and stronger (IMHO) due to excellent characters, enough genuine history and mythology, astrology, and homebrew to describe the authors personal love of the subjects. I hate that you have to special order these - they should be on the shelf at all book stores.

I loved the first book in this series so much -- "The Rhymer and the Ravens." I was almost scared to read the second one, thinking it couldn't possibly live up to the level of the first one. But it did! It's sort of slower in the middle, but that's ok because it just kept me turning pages anyway -- there's something going on here that's almost like an initiation into being a druid or a Norse shaman. The hero encounters real teachers and elemental Spirts and there's all this stuff about how to deal with them that seems almost like a manual of sorcery, except that it's also a great story, and kind of romantic and sexy, but also just as full of a real three-dimensional sense of the world a thousand years ago. I'm just itching to get to the third book in the trilogy. This one ends in a pretty satisfying way -- it's not like it leaves you hanging or anything. But there's still a sense that there's "more to come" and I can't wait. Jodie Forrest is doing so! mething sort of like what Tolkien did, except it's more adult and darker. It's actually entered my dreams, and once I had a nightmare about the character Isolde, who's the evil Fairy queen...it sinks into your bones that way.

Continuing with the travels of Thomas, the Rhymer, we travel to another place...another time...a land of magic and incredible possibilities! This book, along with her first in this series, "The Rhymer and The Ravens", has given me a new outlook on life and assisted me in finding a 'path' that is mine. The story gives one hope and belief in magic, faeiries, and "more" than we see in this physical plane of existance. If you just want to "get away" for a bit, its good for that too! I am telling everyone about these books and anxiously awaiting the third!!! Thank you, Jodie!! Never, Never stop writing!!! Becky Jackson (theia@worldnet.att.net

I first became familiar with Sokora Refugees thru their website. When I heard it was going to be published by Tokyopop, I got so psyched! I ran to find a copy as soon as I heard it was available and it was so worth it! The characters are hilarious, the artwork is brilliant. I can't recommend this book highly enough. I'm cosplaying as Salome at the next con I attend...

Do yourself a favor and pick up this book! They call it gaijin manga. I call it great.

This was pretty good, the art was nice, and it had a cute story, but I think that they relied to much on the crude jokes. I guess some people like that, it's just my own opinion. Otherwise, I thought it was really good art, and it was a story that you could get in to.

Sokora Refugees is a fantastically funny new graphic novel from TokyoPop combining fantasy elements and modern day humor in a refreshingly original story. Kana Tanaka is having a very bad day. She's late for class, hasn't studied for the big test, and her friends, the athletic and patronizing Tamara and the ever-inquisitive Julie have little sympathy for her. Add to that she's the butt of jokes from the boys in school who call her "no-can" due to her under-developed chest and things just can't get any worse for poor Kana....Oh, but they do get worse! A geeky new kid in school gets the desk right behind her. Later, when Kana is showering after gym class, the new kid springs out of hiding, slamming into the naked Kana. Suddenly both are transported to the mystical realm of Sokora and end up in a swamp, Kana wearing nothing but a towel!

And it keeps getting better for Kana as she finds herself face-to-face with a demonic Goyle who was hunting for an Elven sorceress. Kana is about to become Goyle food when she's rescued Tristan, an Elven Warrior and Salome a wood nymph. Joining them is that geeky new kid who turns out to be Tristan's younger brother, Tien. After escaping the Goyle, Tristan explains how portals to demon worlds have been popping up and their once peaceful land has been invaded. Tien was sent to Earth for his own protection but has no desire to remain there. He wants to use his magical abilities to help fight the demons. It's all very Greek...or Elven to Kana who just wants to get back home. She's sent back but now it's in the body of that same Elven sorceress, hunted by the Goyle. What's more, this body is EXTREMELY voluptuous and Kana struggles mightily to get her shirt buttoned around her huge new assets. Kana soon is contacted by Veila, the sorceress who tells her the two are now bonded together and she needs Kana's help. Soon Kana, along with Tamara and Julie travel back to Sokora and find themselves attacked by demonic insects, eventually driven off by their master the Vampire Demon Kogurai who destroys the portal to our world leaving Kana and her friends trapped.

This Manga had me laughing out loud on several occasions at poor Kana's plight. She instantly finds herself disliked by Salome who doesn't want any other females around Tristan. Little brother Tien is like an Elven Dennis the Menace who can work magic. He's always getting into trouble, and getting others into trouble with his antics...like anchoring a portal in the girl's shower! The art by Melissa DeJesus balances a humorous and cartoonish Manga style that blends well with the adventurous part of the storyline. The story was written by Segamu who definitely had a feel for the hardships of teenage girls and the problems they face and had great fun, all at Kana's expense. This 196 page graphic novel was the first volume in this new series and I can't wait to see what is in-store for the characters in future volumes. Another winner from TokyoPop!

Another of Tokyo Pop's original manga-styled graphic novel series. This new title is put together by writer Segamu(assuming that's his real name)and artist Melissa DeJesus who is a part of the all-girl Estrigious Studios. It's take on the time honored tradition of a girl travelling to other dimensions. But Alice and Dororthy didn't have monsters and fanatical elves to deal with.

In it, Kana is a girl who is suffering from lack of cleavage. Her friends Julie and Tamara try to cheer her up, but to no avail. Then, a new transfer studend named Tien shows up. He always wears a hat on his head, and it turns out its to hide the long elf ears he has. Tien is on Earth because his elvin brother Tristan is forming a resistance group in their dimension of Sokora against an army of monsters who are ravaging the land. These monsters had taken a voluptuous elvin sorceress called Veila hostage, but she just barely managed to escape being roasted alive by them.

Tien grows restless, and plans to escape Earth and go back to Sokora. For some reason though, he creates the portal between the two worlds in the school's girls locker room. Kana accidently falls through as Tien makes it, and ends up running into Veila. Veila is badly injured from her encounter, and transfers her essence into Kana. Unaware of this, Kana ends up running away back through the portal, but now with her body altered resembling Veila's gorgeous physique.

From here, the story fluctuates with Tien and his brother going back and forth from Sokora to convince Kana to come with them, Kana realizing the spirit and new power dwelling within her as well as how her new body will affect her social status, plus Kana's friends get in on the action too. All this while the forces of evil in Sokora plot to destroy all traces of the elves in their world.

Anime fans will totally dig the authentic manga artwork and storytelling. Plus, furries will undeniably fall for Salome, the sexy racoon girl/nymph who's a part of Tristian's resistance movement. There's lots of gratuitous fan service and fun in this ongoing jem.

I think that the series started off with a great premise, but then got bogged down around books 3 and 4.

Book 5 is very well done. The character development of Malus is excellent in this book. Plus, the interactions with the Witch King and his minions and the portrayal of the dark elves as viscious, back-stabbing scheming [...] even in the face of overwhelming odds makes this a great read.

I liked this book series a lot and plan on reading more of his work. Thanks for the great read. Rick

Dark elves are feared and revered for their evil and treacherous natures. Malus Darkblade is one of the more infamous ones. The ancient daemon Tz'arkan still resides within Malus. It has been ten months since the curse. Malus has one last artifact of power to locate, the Amulet of Vaurog. It is said that any warrior wearing the amulet cannot be harmed by weapons. The wearer is almost invincible. Malus must seek out the amulet in the lightless halls of the Fortress of Iron, the Witch King's own fortress. Sweet irony has the Endless, the Witch King's personal bodyguards and agents, capturing Malus and escorting him to the king's presence. Malus figures, correctly, that if Malekith, the Witch King, wanted him dead then the Endless would not have gone to so much trouble to capture him and escort him to the fortress.

Once Malus has honestly told all about the daemon within him and why he killed his father, Malekith decides to use the various talents Malus seems to possess. Thusly, the king commands Malus to go to the Black Tower of Ghrond, take command of the forces there, and lead them against the invaders until he arrives with the army of Naggoroth. All Malus must do is hold the invaders and not let them move any further into the realm.

The highborn leaders within the Black Tower are all for killing Malus immediately, until they learn he has the backing of their Dread Majesty. Malus knows that his half-sister, Nagaira, is the sorceress and leader of the invaders. She has entered a pact with the Chaos Gods, receiving unimaginable powers in exchange for her services. Worse yet, the amulet graces the neck of one of her Chaos Champions.

**** Malus must battle between the daemon, the Witch King, his own kinsmen, a sorceress with Chaos magic, and two-hundred thousand beastmen in this episode. Unlike the previous novels, this story does not start out with Malus and let the reader follow his adventures as they happen. Instead, the book begins after all the synopsis above is over and Malus is (unwillingly) freeing the daemon. The prophecy is being fulfilled. Then the story jumps back ten months. The ceremony Malus must perform to free the daemon is jumped forward to two or three times during the book. It is my personal belief that the story would have flowed smoother if all the time jumping had not been written in. However, the story does work the way it is written.

Word has it that this is the conclusion to the Malus Darkblade series. Yet the way the ending is written leaves the reader wondering. The authors can add another book or start an entire new series featuring Malus and the daemon. I hope the authors do not leave me hanging as to what happens with Malus next. (Personally, I would like to see more of Pockets as well.) ****

Reviewed by Detra Fitch of Huntress Reviews.

Awesome illustrations and tale. Our whole family loves making the animal sounds with each new animal entering the hat and finally the NO for the teeny-weeny flea.

We just love this book. The illustrations are vivid, fun and humorous. My 1 and half year old gets into the animals sounds. It is an easy and enjoyable read. We find ourselves laughing as the hat grows.

My son recieved this book as a gift, and it's a good choice for the child aged 3-5. It's a cumulative story, with plenty of repetition as a new animal discovers the hat on each page. It has a really cute surprise ending. The illustrations are really imaginitive, with many odd and tiny details to discover for the inquisitive tot. Actually I'd say the oddness and sophistication of the illustrations may appeal more to adults, but they are beautiful and fun for kids too.