VOYA reviewing Robert Stanek

[epic]

sparhawk said:

So, finally the critics noticed RS'wonderful little book.
VOYA, February 1, 2007
Dramatic illustrations draw the reader into the Tolkienesque world of Ruin Mist, plunged into darkness after a Great War five hundred years past. Blaming magic for their demise, the Kings of Men have decreed that all things magical be destroyed. Yet despite their efforts, the magical Dark Lord is slowly returning to power. Another bloody battle is foreshadowed for Ruin Mist when Adrina, the spoiled and lonely princess of Imtal, is visited by a mysterious woman who predicts Adrina's ghastly future. Meanwhile in the kingdom of Elves, Seth, devoted First of the Red Order of the Queen Mother Elf, is sent on a journey across the Great Sea to prevent war. Stuck somewhere in the middle is Vilmos, a young magical boy-who-would-be-mage, abducted for his own safety by a Yoda-like guide named Xith. All three journey to an unknown fate against treacherous and sometimes supernatural foes. Stanek augments the beginning of this complex tale with illustrations that are sure to attract fans of graphic novels and classic Tolkien alike-the only weakness in the illustrations is their scarcity. Stanek will likely draw a cult following, but his work is not for the novice fantasy reader. A complicated glossary at the end includes twenty-two pages of "People, Places, and Things in Ruin Mist," complete with geographical references, family lineages, and extraordinary sketches. Despite the sophisticated plot, however, this cliffhanger guarantees fans, and those fans will be ready to wield their swords against the Dark Lord in Stanek's next installment.

www.amazon.com/Kingdoms-Elves-Reaches-Keeper-Martins/dp/1575450593/ref=sr_1_1/103-5160597-5148613?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1173779947&sr=1-1

search.barnesandnoble.com/booksearch/isbnInquiry.asp?isbn=1575455056

Robert Stanek deserves the recognition. Long over due!!

Thanks Sparhawk!

[Sparhawk]

Better late than never, as they say

[Sparhawk]

Robert Stanek aked for help against haters in the latest post in his blog. I immediately wrote an article for my site.

[Shire Hobbit]

Very cool!! Thank you for letting me know. It's why I created the new areas.

[Sparhawk]

The article is in Bulgarian, but here there is a link, for anyone who knows Bulgarian or close slavic languages:
citadelata.com/index.php?show=653

[Shire Hobbit]

Cool!!

[epic]

Very cool!!

[Sparhawk]

I am a devoted defender of RS books in my country.

[Trancemist]

hey this is great news. Finally someone was able to recognize some talent!
I never thought of Xith being like Yoda though

[Shire Hobbit]

Hi trancemist nice to see you on the boards! Seems like much good news lately for RS. I thought the comment about Xith being like Yoda was out there too. Xith is Xith. He's clearly a distinct character and he certainly doesn't talk balkwards.

[Sparhawk]

Yes, yes. They have similar role and both are great characters, but Xith is Xith and Yoda is Yoda. A Jedi Master, Xith is not. Last of the Watchers, he is

[dragonlord]

My 2 cents. Comparing Xith to Yoda is a miss statement.

1) Xith doesn't talk backwards, as we can all agree on.

2) Xith is a wizard. He doesn't use the force.

3) Xith doesn't talk about the dark side.

4) Xith is a gnome (king of some certain gnomes it seems if you read close)

5) Xith is very active and adventurous.

6) Xith doesn't dwell in a swampland waiting for Vilmos to show up.

7) Xith actively seeks out powerful magic users. He doesn't wait for them to come to him.