Elves Books

I have been collecting the series since it first came out and was so happy when I heard DC comics and the Pinis were working to put the series in manga form as well as hardcover volumes. Can't wait until the next volume!

Always loved the art work and story line that Wendy Pini created in the original comic books. I was elated to see that she compiled several magazines into a hard back version. My only question to Wendy is When are going to the the animated versions?

I have been reading Elfquest for 20 years now, and the stories, particularly this book, reach levels of depth that are very rare in comics today. The fourth book of the original Quest is by far the best of the series in terms of pacing and storytelling power. This new version is very pretty to look as far as first impressions go, and I have read the Original Quest in at least 3 different forms now, from the original soft pastels of the Starblaze Donning editions, to the Father Tree versions that were more cartoonish. When I first read the new editions from DC comics, I was a little overwhelmed at first. As others have noted, the first volume is way over saturated in color, and while I liked it overall the main strength was that everything was so much clearer. The next two books are obviously a learn as you go kind of thing. Wendy appears to be trying out different things in Photoshop and it shows. Very inconsistent and too much reliance on auto features with prearranged shapes for leaves, grass etc.

While Elfquest has made the leap to `hi-def' amazingly well, the colors used in the Archive edtions are sometimes distracting. Also, Wendy appears to have a new habit of using the Paintbucket function on EVERY PAGE and it gets really annoying after a while. She literally has colored the entire page for most of each book. A few white pages would have let the art stand out in the panels and not be so overwhelmed. Maybe she thought it was a cool feature and just kept on plugging. But page after page of solid over saturated colors like these , for example yellow fading into purple that grates on the eyes - you almost have to squint to make out the text.

And, for the record, I hate, hate! the yellow tone that is virtually washing through almost every page. Someone, take away the super bright yellow selection in Photoshop as well as Paintbucket. She needs to find another color! Actually, antiquated as it might be, hand painting and drawing should come back some of the time instead of Wacom tablets and Photoshop, please! There was a time when Elfquest in color breathed life, now it is flat, lifeless and just plain garish.
This is not to say it's all bad. A handful of pages really stand out and make the chills race down my spine. The last 15 pages when the truth about the elves is at last revealed are just perfect. Couldn't be better. Why that sort of subtlety and beauty couldn't have been the norm for the entire book, I'm not sure. Was Wendy in a rush? DC riding her a little? Whatever the difference it's very noticeable. Maybe ? They had another artist take over parts of it, an it's not Wendy at all.
This is supposed to be the Authoritative Edition, but now that the Pinis and DC comics have parted ways, they will probably let this set go out of print and someday we will see yet another `authoritative' edition. Hopefully with the colors toned down out of Crayola Crayon status.
So buy if you are curious, but be aware that this is another in what has been a long line of incarnations of the Elfquest series.

There are some weird grownups in Baily City. But could the short construction workers building the school playground really be a bunch of elves working on a secret present? THe Bailey School Kids Are Going To Find Out!

This book is about kids that wanted a new playground. They had to share the swing. One day the construction worker came to build a new playground. One of the workers came in the room during class and asked what the kids wanted in their new playground. Well, this is a very good book and I think you should read it. I feel like reading more Bailey School kids book.

The book report I am doing is called Elves Don't Wear Hard

Hats. It is about some kids where they need a new playground

for their school. They really want a new playground with some

swings. They have a building group come to make a new

playground, but they do not know what to build. They ask the

students what they wanted built, and the people who are going to

build it are Elves. The kids want a lot of things to be built

so they have to get going on it, so they tell them to all make a

list if they want to. (...) One day

something very exciting happened! I am not going to tell

what happend at the END so you have to READ it to find out!!!


I really liked this book. It made me want to read more of the

Bailey School Kids books. They are fun to read and have very

exciting endings. I would reccomend reading this book

(...)

These were more detailed and smaller than I anticipated, and likely too much so for some needlework. Still, the fairies, which tend toward the child-like, are nicely done.

New grand-daughter and my daughter want this childs quilt to be fairies. I search ALLLLLLL over for fairy pattern with out success and was sooo happy to find these on-line. They are beautiful.

I bought this book because I wanted to transfer the pictures on to fabric so I could do needle work with them. I found about 100 other uses as well. The Pictures were very clear and had bold lines that made it easy to see when tranfered. The faries themselves were very pretty, and even though there were about 50-75 different fairies, they all seemed to have their own personality. I found I was able to use them on fabric, wood, and even on my wall! I transfered some to my wall to make a mural and it worked great! You can use each picture more then once, but I found that the image started to fade, and it's best if only used once or twice. They would make very cute t-shirts if you wanted to transfer them, and then paint it. I can't think of anything you couldn't use them for, as it says in the book, transfers to anything that can absorb ink!

My son, 10.5 tore through it! He couldn't put it down. Something really cool, when your child is reading to themselves and they bust out laughing out loud.

This book is one of the best books I have ever read. It kept me interested through the entire book. I couldn't put it down! I recommend this book for anybody who likes an amusing story and plot and a book that is wild with adventure every second of the story!

This is a cute, humorous book but parents BEWARE! This book is NOT for Santa believers.

Forget "Whoville". This Christmas baddie wants to spoil everyone's Christmas. This wonderful -- and just a bit scary -- story of meaness (and, of course, redemption of the bad guys) will appeal to older childen (girls and boys) who relish dragons and faeries, and searching hidden caverns, and discovering the power of magic. If you are a parent, like me, who sometimes feels that your older children have missed the spirit of the season, have them disover how Andy Michaels finds it for himself through his encounter with Gruesome John. It's a great read and the "message" comes free. Highly recommended!

I read Gruesome John Frederick years ago and thought what a great gift it would make for the next generation of kids growing up in our all-too-material world. I bought about a dozen copies and have begun fulfilling my plan, sending one off to each new member of the next generation of our family. What I so like about the tale is the author's obvious delight with charming ugliness. For example, "Gruesome John laughed to himself and the sound was like water gurgling down a sewer." I ask, how could any kid not like a character like that? Sort of like Grumpy is everyone's favorite drawf. Nice illustrations, too. Sort of block prints that are in harmony with the tone of the tale.

It's the "Grinch Stole Christmas" meets "The Hobbit." This is a magical and entertaining tale of a young boy's journey to a mystical land. I don't have kids yet, but I one day plan to share this clever story with them. A great story for children with vivid imaginations and curosity. I love it!

Can a machine really do Santa's job better than Santa? A clever elf named Muckle seems to think so. His invention, the Deliverator, appears to be faster and more efficient in the preliminary tests, but when Christmas Eve arrives and it is time for the real delivery of toys, Muckle learns that the human touch really is better.

This delightful story, coupled with humorous watercolor and ink illustrations, is sure to be a favorite story with kids. My own children, ages seven and four, really enjoy this book. they ask me to read it over and over again.

Sherry Ellis
Author of That Baby Woke Me Up, AGAIN

This is a great book for anyone who loves the holiday, Christmas.
I would recommend it to Kindergarten to second grade. It is a short
book, and is very interesting. It is about a person whose name is Muckle. He shows an invention he made, a rocket ship called the deliverer to Santa's helpers. The elves and Muckle decide to do tests to see who is the fastest, the deliverer or Santa. There were three tests; the first test was who could get dressed the fastest. The second test was who could mach the most children to a toy in an hour. The final test was who can put the presents under the tree the fastest. To find out who won these tests and who will deliver the toys to the children read this four star book.

Santa had his own way of doing things. Every year before the big ride he checked the weather, looked over his maps, took a nice bubble bath, trimmed his beard, polished his boots, got the reindeer fed and ready, and packed his sled. It was always hectic, and there was always a last minute rush. Some of the elves complained, wishing Santa would plan better, and not waste so much time. But what could they do? Santa was only human. Then one little elf, Muckle, had an idea. He worked on his secret project for months, and in late fall unveiled the "Deliverator". Muckle claimed it could travel around the world and deliver presents faster and better. Could this be the end of Santa? Could he really be replaced?..... Stephen Krensky has written a charming and amusing story, with a gentle message, that will put a smile on the faces of young and old, alike. His simple and clever text is beautifully complemented by S.D. Schindler's expressive and detailed artwork, and together they've authored a delightfully warm story that helps kids understand that faster isn't always better. Sometimes it's the personal touch that makes something special. Perfect for youngsters 4-8, How Santa Lost His Job is a wonderful addition to this year's Christmas picture books, and a terrific story to help usher in the holiday season.

What if you were captured by a band of wolves and all you relied on to help was a half elf, half troll girl and a wolf from the zoo? What if a human sprite joined with a wolf sprite? And what if, just what if, a fjord sprite asked you to retrieve one little mirror from a dangerous group of wolves living on a high mountain?
Little Fur, the elf troll, preparing for the Great Weaving, asks the wise Sett Owl to help to find her friend Ginger, the cat. He says to find the Mystery of Wolves, so as she leaves the protection of the Old Ones, she heads up the mountains to find the Mystery of Wolves and to rescue Ginger. Even I wouldn¡¦t go all the way up into the mountains to rescue a cat. But not for Little Fur, Ginger was her best cat friend. So with the mountains right underneath Little Fur, a fjord sprite and the dangerous peaks and hills stand in the way of Little Fur getting to Ginger and the Mystery of Wolves. With the help of an old wolf from the zoo, Little Fur is in for an adventurous fantasy tale!
My favorite part of the story was near the end, so I¡¦m not spoiling the end of a great story. When a king, still standing from years before Little Fur was born, brought sorrow into everything. Until then, a great sacrifice was made that no one will forget.
This story is a great story to read, especially if you are a fantasy reader, even though it is hard to remember who is who since there a so many names from the last few books of Little Fur (if you have read them, which I bet you have not read). Isobelle Carmody tells a fantastic tale from the forest of the Old Ones, to the zoo of a city, to the mountains east of the city, where humans doesn¡¦t even know Little Fur exists. Isobelle Carmody, one of Australia¡¦s most popular fantasy authors, with another story of Little Fur coming up in 2009, has done herself with another fantastic story of Little Fur, a half elf, half troll girl in Little Fur, A Mystery of Wolves.

-Julianne Su º

I've bought all three books in this series for my 10-year old daughter. She loves them!

Isobelle Carmody's LITTLE FUR: A MYSTERY OF WHISKERS features a soft, dark blue velvety cover to add tactile interest to the latest addition to the popular Little Fur series for middle school readers. Little Fur is half troll, half elf: she protects her friends from evil and here searches for her friend Ginger the cat, in the process uncovering an ages-old secret.

I loved this comic. I found it an absolute hoot, and would whole-heartedly recommend it. However, it's dark humor and somewhat rough presentation might not be to everyone's taste. Not sure? Here's a simple test. Rent Mel Gibson's 'Payback.' If you find yourself cracking up periodically, unable to explain your hilarity to any confused companions, I don't doubt that you will adore Poison Elves.

This reprint of Drew Hayes' oringinal Mulehide Graphics Poison Elves series is quite well done. While those who are only familiar with his later works would see the trade paper back as crude and not well practiced, others will definately relish in all the history it has to offer. The later comics do hint at what is contained in the earlier issues, but it is best to read it here and get all the details in full black and white. Further, it is always enjoyable to see where a favorite comic started and how it has evolved to what it is today. That is probablly what makes this book most enjoyable.

If you're looking at getting a copy of Poison Elves: Requiem for an Elf because you're only familiar with Drew's comics at Sirius, than definitely buy this book. If you're looking to replace your copy that you've read time and time again until it was in nothing but tatters, I don't need to convince you, but for everyone else out there, you just have to own a copy of this book.

Poison Elves follows the story of Lusiphur Amerellis Malache, a raven-haired elf that grew up on the streets. From an early age he learned how to fight, steal, and kill just to survive. Now 19 in elf years, or roughly 133 in human years, he's on the run from the law yet again.

This graphic reprints the first six issues of I, Lusiphur which was Poison Elves original name. The first two comics are redone in prose form in this graphic. Don't skip over them. Drew is great with his prose and there's all sorts of good stuff in there.

In Issue One and Two Lusiphur meets a villainous necromancer that captures the Elf, and ripps out Lusiphur's eye in order to raise the demon Six-Tell Amalah. Luse escapes and goes to the healer Lirilith, a beautiful elf that is his best friend, and she manages to heal him in just in time, because someone has to die, either Six-Tell Amalah or Lusiphur and the demon is immortal....

In book three Lusiphur is injured once more, and is crawling through the woods when a kindly old man takes him in and helps him heal. But nothing is as it ever appears in the Poison Elves world...

In book 4 we first meet the blond elf Jace, or Jason. Pay attention to his cameo, he'll play a very important role later. This is also the first appearance of the Purple Marauder. He's far and away one of the best villains ever. You'll see what I mean

Book 5 and 6 has Luce stealing a very powerful gem, not because he wants to, but because of a life debt years and years old...

If you like you comics edgy, and filled with action, black comedy, and a kickin' good time than stop reading this and buy the book!

Gary's ability to carry you away is amazing, his gripping battle scenes and vivid character descriptions keep you wanting more. You will not be disappointed with this book.

When it comes to writing fantasy, Gary A. Wassner is pure genius. In his latest book of the "GEM QUEST" series "THE REVENGE OF THE ELVES", he takes you places you never dreamed possible. His extraodinary storytelling is so mesmerizing you actually are transported into the pages of the book for an unforgettable journey. Wassner is truly a gifted writer, thankfully he has decided to share his endless imagination with the world.

The Revenge of the Elves, by Gary Wassner

Imagine hundreds of threads going into a loom. Multiple strand braids are created, separated, rebraided, the web is formed. Colors are blended, fade, and are recreated, exposing a secret pattern, one this loom was not designed to create. From a distance, this is GemQuest.

Wassner continues in his style of smaller teams of three or four characters being sent on seperate quests, usually teaming characters of different races (Dwarf, Elf and Human) together, to help their races better understand each other. This allows a lot (and I mean a lot) to be happening at once within the ensemble cast, but it also makes it hard to remember who is up to what, with who, and on their way to which city, so pay attention! I'm looking forward to the "GemQuest Companion", not to mention the prequel about Odelot.

The writing and dialogue in this volume is smoother and faster than in previous books. Gone are the passages that begin with characters realizing the enemy is just over the next hill, and they must get away now or die, just to start in on 3 or 4 pages of philosophical conversation (didn't the bad guys show up a few paragraphs ago?), only to barely escape with their lives. Also, the rules of noble politeness have been lifted. People are impatient and testy, they know the time for action has come, and they can't bear to sit idly by. It's actually nice to see this human side of everyone, instead of all the sugar coated greetings, formal "epic" talk, and teary goodbyes of the previous volumes.

For most of the book, the focus is off the twins, and on the adventures of other characters, such as Caroline and Dalloway who are on their way to find the well at Odelot, Colton Dar Agonthea's creation of his creepy golem army, The three Elven brother kings who decide to send troops to Tamarand against Colton, just to name a few. Robyn Dar Tamarand will have to choose who to aid - The Heir Davmiran, his family and home city which will soon be under attack by Colton, or Promanthea, his bonded Lalas, who stands just outside his home city?

It stands to reason the Revenge of the Elves involves their battle ready and highly disciplined troops heading to Tamarand to destroy Coltons soulless army. And it does involve exactly that. when the Revenge does come, it is subtle, brutal, and lethal. By the time I saw it coming, it had nearly already happened. Something like this changes your view of an author, when he allows beloved characters to be so easily taken advantage of.

Briefly seen in previous volumes, other Chosen make more of an appearance. Through them, we hear their conversations with their Lalas, along with the confusion of being shut out and possibly betrayed. We learn the Lalas die at the time of their own choosing. They do not get sick, and nothing kills them, but when a Lalas dies, it's chosen soon follows, for this is the way. The roots of the great trees hold the earth together, if they all die, so does the earth. Who in their right mind would ever contemplate breaking the bond between a chosen and it's bondmate, nearly it's personal deity? This "breaking of the bond" is a theme throughout the novel, and I'm sure will become even more important as other secrets reveal themselves.

In this complicated puzzle, the hidden peices must come together from the corners of the earth. Only when the peices are in place can the true quest for The First begin. and it is so easy to assume The First is the first Lalas, because what else could it be? Wassner plays on the trust of his reader. Pay close attention to the details, Wassner is telling you everything you need to know to see the truth, knowing you have probably already chosen what to believe. Choice lies at the heart of GemQuest. the Choice to do what you want, or what you must. Choose to stay on the path you have been on, or to choose a new way of survival.

I suggest this series to readers of any age who are a fan of Tolken, Robert Jordan, and other epic fantasy series. You will not be dissapointed. Earlier volumes have ended on a cliffhanger, and it was nice to get some closure at the end of this one. Although I was certainly left needing to know what was going to happen next,many questions had been answered to my satisfaction. Regardless if Wassner does what I think he's going to do, this series is going to pack one hell of a punch. Even if my guess is completely off base, Wassner has proven, and continues to prove his mettle.

Sean Sutherland has been cursed. For over 300 years he has been doomed to remain a reluctant vampire, not able to leave his Scottish village, with no sign of the woman who is prophesied to save his soul. So the last thing he needs is some romance novelist coming to his town. What he doesn't know though is that the romance novelist is the daytime persona of Bridget Sinclair, a Fey princess and trained Huntress of Hell out to kill vampires starting with him.

Bridget Sinclair knows she has been sent to the small village for a reason. It and its people need her magical protection. While she knows Sean is a vampire, she senses he is different. There is still good within him. Finding herself attracted to him, both physically and emotionally, she knows no good can come from a love between a fairie and a vampire. But will Sean, and his loyal friends convince Bridget that she is the key to unlocking his curse? Will love have time to grow as darkness descends upon them?

Marly Mathews is a writer to watch! She has cast a spell with her deeply emotional mix of characters both human, vampire and Fey. Her skill at intertwining paranormal elements with a contemporary setting is superb. I was totally entranced and hated to finish the book.

I am so happy to have found Marly Mathews! She writes fantastic paranormal and historical novels, and I was lucky enough to get to review Twilight's Kiss for my blog. It's not often you will find a book about a vampire and a faerie falling in love, and I absolutely adored this one!

Sean Sutherland has just about given up all hope of being released from his curse. Too long has he been doomed to remain a vampire, with no sign of the woman who is destined to save him. When a romance novelist is scheduled to make an appearance in his town, he is less than ecstatic. But what he doesn't expect is that the romance novelist is the daytime persona of Bridget Sinclair, a Fey princess and trained Huntress of Hell.

Bridget knows there's a reason she has been assigned to the small village, and while she doesn't know much about Sean Sutherland, she knows he's a vampire. And that's all a Huntress of Hell needs to know! But as she starts to get to know Sean more and more, she finds herself attracted to him- both physically and emotionally. But a Huntress of Hell is supposed to kill vampires, not fall in love with them! It's up to Sean, and a lot of his loyal friends, to convince Bridget that she is the key to unlocking his curse. But it's up to HER to figure out exactly how to break the curse!

Twilight's Kiss is a delightful novel that is the perfect blend of darkness and light. Marly Mathews creates an endearing supporting cast of characters that you will love just as much as the hero and heroine. But the hero and heroine definitely hold their own, and you find yourself becoming more and more attached to them with every turn of the page. You'll desperately want a happy ending for Sean and Bridget, so much you just want to jump in and wring their necks until they confess their love for each other! Marly Mathews has written a fantastic paranormal with animated characters, a suspenseful plot, and one emotional love story! In Twilight's Kiss, see what happens when a vampire and a Faerie princess fall in love- it's nothing short of magical!

-Mandy
RoguesandRomance.com

This is the first book I have read by this author, Marly Mathews. I am thrilled that I did, because I have fallen in love with her creative way of drawing the reader into the story.

Twilight's Kiss began in a way I personally found quite refreshing - the hero's point of view. Sean Sutherland resides in a quaint village in Scotland, and considers himself cursed. Through the use of charming secondary characters and rich dialogue, we get to live Sean's life through his eyes as his story is unraveled. He is loved and respected by all those around him, but he is a vampire. He must continue this cursed existence until the woman fortold in a prophesy is found. He isn't very pleased to find out that romance writer Bridie Sullivan has chosen his territory to visit.

Bridget Sinclair, aka Bridie Sullivan, arrives earlier than expected in the quiet Scottish village. Tired and exhausted, she isn't too pleased to find all the villagers locked away in darkened buildings. But she has a mission to accomplish, and she must do so before people discover her secret. Bridget is Fey Royalty and she must vanquish vampires.

I adored so many of the secondary characters that added depth to this story. The author's ability to spin such a creative mixture of feys and vampires within a modern day setting was addictive, and I found myself unable to stop reading until I finished it.

Twilight's Kiss is a wonderful book, and I look forward to reading many more from Marly Mathews.