Two masters of epic fantasy have combined in this brilliant collaboration to create a rousing tale of the sort that becomes an instant favorite. T...
read full description
reviews
Nov 29, 2011
I first read this series when I was 13 or 14 and I loved it! Of course, back then I was strictly reading fantasy, heavy on the Mercedes Lackey. So, I can say with certainty this is one of her best creations..... and I have to add that I think Andre Norton had plenty to do with that fact. That sounds mean, but she's written so many books that seem to run together and this series definitely stands on it's own. I just reread the first book and it was highly enjoyable even at this older age. huzza
More...
0 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
Feb 19, 2011
Erin
rated it: 
A very interesting book that fills a kind of gap in my reading of fantasy books from its time (early 90s). I remember hearing a lot about this book around the time of its release, and seeing it on bookshelves -- I think I even owned it at one point but later got rid of it unread. I'm not sure why I never opened it -- I think I may have been put off by its cover, which, being a Boris, is gorgeous, but repelling at the same time, with its rather grotesque dragon and token torn-clothed maiden. But
More...
Apr 21, 2010
Dan
rated it:
This book was literally shoved into my hands by my fiancee, who had been quite insistant that I read it. I'm glad I have now, for I have a lot to say about it.
My first impression was of an extremely dense narrative, with a few flashbacks of mild interest, but mostly a front-heavy descriptive piece which was difficult to slog through. Things honestly do not start happening until five chapters in, and I found a very clunky -- if thorough -- method of introducing a world, for that's pri More...
My first impression was of an extremely dense narrative, with a few flashbacks of mild interest, but mostly a front-heavy descriptive piece which was difficult to slog through. Things honestly do not start happening until five chapters in, and I found a very clunky -- if thorough -- method of introducing a world, for that's pri More...
0 comments
like
(3 people liked it)
May 31, 2010
Wendi
rated it: 
In The Elvenbane, a young fiery halfblood (half elven, half human) girl named Shana, is raised by a Kin of dragons. After using her magic to defend her foster brother Keman, Shana is banished to the desert where she is captured by human servants of elven lords; races she thought no longer existed. A rare mystery, Shana is about to be sold in a slave auction when she is rescued by disguised halfbloods who take her to a Citadel where wizards live in secrecy. Yet fate intercedes and soon the most d
More...
0 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
Mar 06, 2008
Steph
rated it: 
convincingly created a whole new world for the reader with a complicated hierarchy and fascinating gender dynamics. sexy, traumatic, enchanting, and most definitely Epic!
0 comments
like
(2 people liked it)
Feb 02, 2009
Alena
rated it: 
This book is a collaboration between two noted female fantasy authors - Mercedes Lackey and Andre Norton. I've never read any of Norton's stuff, but as an avid Lackey fan, I was hoping for good things from this book, and it didn't disappoint. It took some of the conventions of fantasy (outcast girl is taken in by a foster family and comes into her full power) and turned them on their ear in an interesting way (turns out the foster family is a clan of dragons!) My main complaint is that the la
More...
Oct 19, 2009
Bryce
rated it:
A book that I absolutely adored as a young teenager and reread many, many times. Recently curiosity and a lucky find at a used book store led me to rediscover this book... and while it doesn't live up to the towering heights of my memory, it's still a fun and exciting fantasy novel.
There are elements here that will be familiar to any fantasy reader: Dragons, elves, magic, and the main character who is destined to be the Most Special-est Girl in the World.
Shana tends to More...
There are elements here that will be familiar to any fantasy reader: Dragons, elves, magic, and the main character who is destined to be the Most Special-est Girl in the World.
Shana tends to More...
Aug 16, 2010
Jennifer
rated it:
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
To view it, click here
Jun 20, 2011
Jon
rated it:
2.5 stars
I listened to this novel while commuting in May 2011. I found few characters to relate to or care for. I rolled my eyes multiple times at the antics of the adolescents, chalking their behavior down to young adult fiction norms. However, when the adults behaved with even less maturity or even common sense than the youths in their care, I cringed and about gave up reading further. It became a chore to finish. Too much melodrama.
Shana seems to be the only on More...
I listened to this novel while commuting in May 2011. I found few characters to relate to or care for. I rolled my eyes multiple times at the antics of the adolescents, chalking their behavior down to young adult fiction norms. However, when the adults behaved with even less maturity or even common sense than the youths in their care, I cringed and about gave up reading further. It became a chore to finish. Too much melodrama.
Shana seems to be the only on More...
3 comments
like
(4 people liked it)
Jul 25, 2010
Kate
rated it:
I recieved this book as a Goodreads First Reads book.
This ended up being a great book, and I'm really excited to go read the sequels. At the start I had trouble getting into it though. The first couple chapters, which were mostly about Sarina Daeth and consisted of her recapping how she became head concubine seemed a bit choppy to me and I struggled to follow who everyone was and to get into the story. However, once we got into the meat of the story, with Shana taking the lead, the s More...
This ended up being a great book, and I'm really excited to go read the sequels. At the start I had trouble getting into it though. The first couple chapters, which were mostly about Sarina Daeth and consisted of her recapping how she became head concubine seemed a bit choppy to me and I struggled to follow who everyone was and to get into the story. However, once we got into the meat of the story, with Shana taking the lead, the s More...
Nov 22, 2010
Rachel
rated it:
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
To view it, click here
Jul 18, 2009
Doppelganger
rated it:
First off, I would like to say that I have been a fan of fantasy/fiction novels for quite some time. This was actually my first Norton outing (Lackey contributed as well), and unfortunately I was somewhat disappointed. I read overwhelmingly good reviews on this book and heard nothing but positive things about this writing duo. Therefore I decided to give the book a shot. To my dismay, I was let down and this novel did not keep me turning the pages. Allow me to explain why...
The premi More...
The premi More...
Jun 27, 2010
Greymalkin
rated it:
Read this in high school but didn't particularly remember it. I think that's because it's a very solid fantasy novel but none of the characters are quite unique enough to be memorable. Good book though and I liked the world and the way it worked. The plotting and twists and turns were pretty satisfying. I have to say that I always wish for more romance from Andre Norton tho, especially as it was co-written by Misty. Oh well.
Sep 19, 2011
Amanda
rated it:
This book is complete trash, with ridiculous romance happenings and overly emotional characters, and I read it when I was a preteen and looooooved it, and it managed to cement itself as one of my favorites, even though I don't think I'd reccomend it to anyone, and now I sometimes just pick it up and read parts at random, because I know the whole plot well enough it doesn't really matter where I start in the book.
Apr 14, 2009
Junoimelda
rated it:
Elves and dragons and halfbloods, oh my! A fun, fast, fairly light read. This book does have significant themes of power, conquest, and prejudice - somewhat thought provoking for that reason. Plot and themes are of primary importance, character development and depth secondary. Fairly two-dimensional good vs. evil stuff going on here. Enjoyable in spite of lack of depth.
Aug 27, 2009
Britney
rated it:
Recently I've been reading a number of books that I've owned, unread, for a few years, and this one did not disappoint. The created world is complete and compelling; the dragons - and I have to admit that I am wary of books with dragons - were believable. I'm looking forward to chasing down a copy of the second book in the series so I can further follow the adventures of Shana.
Aug 24, 2010
Justin
rated it:
I really really enjoyed reading this book, I was hesitant at first with so many reviews on the pace of the book. And although it defiantly was a slow pace, and over the course of 16 years, I felt that only added to the epicness of this read. The first couple of chapters for me where hard to get into, with so many elven names to pronounce it was laying the foundation of what I would later find out to be a beautiful world. Character description in this book is far from lacking, and although at tim
More...
Jun 22, 2009
Hannah
rated it:
A very enjoyable fantasy ride. The characters and events are extremely interesting and set up very nicely. Where other series are dragged down by slow pacing and long-winded descriptions at the beginning, Norton's vivid depictions of the world that the characters have to survive in is engaging in its harsh realism.
Oct 03, 2011
Marie-jo
rated it:
For those of you thinking of starting this series, a word of advice; if you like closure and want to read the entire series, stop now! Andre Norton passed away before the fourth and final book was written. It drove me crazy that I may never know how it all ended, especially since the story was very good!
Jun 04, 2010
Amber
rated it:
I bought this on a whim (I liked the cover) and read it years ago. It was so good; Hubby bought me #2 while on a little roadtrip. I still have both copies in my library.
Oh yeah, it's about elves, humans and all that in-between good stuff! Read it yourself :)
Oh yeah, it's about elves, humans and all that in-between good stuff! Read it yourself :)
Nov 22, 2009
Kerri
rated it:
This book includes some of my favorite fantasy elements: dragons, telepathy, shapeshifting, a little romance (though not as much as in Book 2) and an awesome ass-kicking heroine with some really cool friends. It also introduced me to Mercedes Lackey (well technically The Ship Who Searched did that but I didn't remember she'd helped write that till later), who has become one of my all-time favorite authors. I think I like Andre Norton better when she's co-writing with someone, so far I've enjoyed
More...
0 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
Mar 04, 2010
Shannon
rated it:
This is another great book by Mercedes Lackey, but I do not like it nearly as much as some of her others. It is worth reading if only to get a completely different view of elves, dragons, unicorns, humans, and half-bloods.
Aug 03, 2011
Carly
rated it:
Love this series. Too bad it may never be finished since Andre Norton passed away in '05. Some of the most multidimensional characters I've seen. A typical oppressed vs. oppressors plot, but always entertaining.
May 12, 2009
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
To view it, click here
Mar 02, 2009
Pat
rated it:
Book slow to get into but kept my attention. Got to a point I could not put it down. Disappointed in the ending. I felt the ending was abrupt and did not really help put closure to the story
Jul 03, 2010
This is one of Crissie's all-time favorites from long ago. I'm liking it so far, and it certainly does very well when my brain is just too tired to parse "Christianity: the first 3,000 years."
May 01, 2009
Judith
rated it:
A good sroty, can tell there is more than one person working on it, lacks a bit in coherency and is not quite up to the standard I am used to from Mercedes Lackey. Feels like it is a little forced.
Feb 14, 2011
Tim
rated it:
My only real complaint is that after Andre Norton passed away, Mercedes Lackey opted not to finish the fourth and final book. The three released were quite good and worth the read though.
0 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
Sep 07, 2009
Bryce
rated it:
So it's been a very long time since I've read these books but as far as I can remember I enjoyed them...however, I'm not sure if I'd given them four stars if I were to read them today.
Sep 19, 2011
Julie
rated it:
I don't normally read a lot of fantasy, I just was in the mood for a good story and this wasn't it. Suprising little actually happened, and the end was so anticlimactic.
