Elfhunter (Tales of Alterra, The World That Is, #1)

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Elfhunter (Tales of Alterra, The World That Is #1)

by C.S. Marks (Goodreads Author)

4.01 of 5 stars 4.01 · rating details · 176 ratings · 44 reviews

Elfhunter is the first of the tales of Alterra, the World that Is. It concerns the quest of an unlikely pair of heroines, Gaelen and Nelwyn, who are Wood-elves of the Dominglas Forest. They are hunter-scouts in the realm of King Ri-Aruin, and they have sworn to protect their woodland home, but they are drawn into a quest to defend all the Elves of Alterra as they seek to d...more

Paperback, 532 pages

Published November 9th 2005 by Authorhouse

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Jun 12, 2008 Tricia rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: anyone who likes Tolkien, Darth Vader, Elves, long reads

Recommended to Tricia by: found online at Amazon

Readers will be taken to another world in which a menacing, malicious creature, Gorgon, pursues the two major characters and those like them...if he is merciful which he isn't inclined to be, he will kill you quickly, if not...well...C.S.Marks takes her readers on a perilous venture through a dark forests and lands riddled with danger,making you wish you had a sword at hand. The ending had a twist, I never saw coming and am thirsting for the second in her series.

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Jan 24, 2008 Dannette rated it 5 of 5 stars

Amazingly creative! I can't wait to read the sequels. I'd never picked up a novel like this before, but I'm now addicted. Marks does an extraordinary descriptive job and easily transports me to the world of Alterra.

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Jan 20, 2008 Shanna rated it 5 of 5 stars

I really enjoyed this book. The characters are all well done, and the bad guy is one of the best I've read about. I really enjoyed this!

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Nov 23, 2008 Dave rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Fantasy Enthusiasts.

Recommended to Dave by: a Friend

"This work has been inspired by the works of JRR Tolkien." Thus Marks sets out her stall from the outset, lest the reader be in any doubt as to the nature and design of her work. And much like Gaelen , wayward wood elf and protagonist of Marks' Elfhunter, it is a bold yet honest statement; a blatant battle line drawn in the literary sand - a gauntlet cast down before other fantasy authors who may have failed to suggest that they are somehow different.

Elfhunter is the first book in the tales of...more

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Mar 06, 2012 Winter rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: Fans of fantasy!

Recommended to Winter by: Kindleboards

Shelves: read-kindle-books

Finished!

I love this book!!!

It feels like discovering Tolkien for the first time! C.S.Marks is so gifted! She has created a world you can totally fall in love with. I'm reading it for her book club too, and it makes it so much fun. She is so committed to the world of Alterra. Everything is thought through.

Every person that likes fantasy or Tolkien NEED to read this trilogy!!

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Nov 27, 2012 Diayll rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: Fans of Fantasy

Shelves: sealion-books

Originally Reviewed At: Mother/Gamer/Writer
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 Controllers
Review Source: Publisher
Reviewer: Bailey

Elfhunter is an epic tale of a headstrong She-Elf named Gaelen and her cousin Nelwyn who discover slain elves in the woods, prompting them to track the killer. They, alongside some friends met along the way, go on a journey in hopes to exact vengeance upon an entity that calls itself ‘Elfhunter’ and whose only purpose is to exterminate the Elven race. Will the band of heroes succeed...more

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Jan 23, 2009 Kevis Hendrickson rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: fantasy, heroines, indie-book, novel, series, tome

One of the remarkable things about discovering new books is that you never know when a book is going to come along that knocks you completely off of your feet. Elfhunter by C.S. Marks is one of those books. I have been a long time fan of J.R.R. Tolkien and can truly say that Marks has picked up from where the late professor left off. She has created a vast and completely believable secondary world in which fantasy readers can immerse themselves. That world is Alterra and it is a place I intend t...more One of the remarkable things about discovering new books is that you never know when a book is going to come along that knocks you completely off of your feet. Elfhunter by C.S. Marks is one of those books. I have been a long time fan of J.R.R. Tolkien and can truly say that Marks has picked up from where the late professor left off. She has created a vast and completely believable secondary world in which fantasy readers can immerse themselves. That world is Alterra and it is a place I intend to visit again and as often as I can.

The very first thing I noticed about Elfhunter was how deliciously crisp the writing is. The prose sucks you right into the story making you feel more like a participant in the unfolding climatic struggle than a mere observer. The plot moves along at a brisk, but effective pace, never bogging the reader down in unnecessary detail, which unfortunately, is the norm in most fantasy books.

More importantly, the characters in Elfhunter are convincingly written and realistically flawed. By the time I had finished reading the book, I realized that I had a very difficult time deciding who my favorite character is because I had fallen in love with so many of them. But without a doubt, the star of this book bears the name of its title: Gorgon Elfhunter. Gorgon is one of the all-time great villains of any genre of fiction and certainly is the force that drives this tale.

Gorgon is a creature who has sworn to kill every Elf that crosses his path. He is a cold, calculating, bloodthirsty killer whose cruelty knows no boundaries. But who is Gorgon? And why does he seek the destruction of the Elves? This is what Gaelen Taldin and her cousin Nelwyn seek to find out, for the two hunter-scouts are hot on Gorgon's corpse-ridden trail, determined to stop his murderous rampage at any cost.

Most worthily, Elfhunter is akin to The Lord of the Rings in its epic scope and grand storytelling. There are armies of darkness and monstrous evils lurking within its pages. Against the backdrop of this awesome threat, is the tale of a young Elf seeking to come to terms with her tortured past and the foes and friends who seek to influence her destiny.

Elfhunter is the first book in an exciting new trilogy taking place in Alterra, the World That Is, Fire-heart, and Ravenshade being the sequels. I would recommend Elfhunter to any person who loves a pulse-pounding and engaging fantasy tale with a rich setting, complex characters, and a grand quest to rival any other. No bookshelf of any self-respecting fantasy fan should be without Elfhunter. In fact, I pity those who have not yet been fortunate to read this award-winning book and discover the wonders held within.(less)

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Dec 15, 2012 Kara rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Elfhunter by CS Marks (ebook version)
Review by Kara Grant
Cover and summary provided by Sea Lion Books
Minor Spoilers

My Review
Gaelen and her cousin, Nelwyn, are Wood-elves dedicated to serving as guardians of their forest home. They are both skilled trackers, over 1000 years old, and determined to protect not just their land but also their people in the surrounding lands of Alterra. Gaelen has keen eyesight, listening and scenting abilities as well as fearlessness. Nelwyn has a sharp eye and deadl...more

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Aug 20, 2012 Jessie Potts rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: paranormal, sci-fi-fantasy, young-adult-for-adults

3.5 Stars

Elfhunter is no easy sci-fi/fantasy book to sneer at and finish in a day. It’s a long and lengthy read that takes readers into the depths of Alterra where terrible beast like creatures rampage, Elves take up arms, and two small heroines can conquer greatness.

Gaelen and Nelwyn are Wood-Elves and are on a quest to destroy the Elfhunter who is brutally killing and exterminating their kind. Along the way they will discover who they are and what it means to be a hero.

This was a fun read. I...more

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Apr 22, 2009 Samaya Young rated it 4 of 5 stars

When I first started with Marks’ Elfhunter, I’ll admit to not being in the best of moods, so part of my problem (if it can be called such) with getting “into” the story might be explained by that. At first glance the story appears to be set in a slow pace, and a considerable lack of dialogue fails to really grab my attention.

I like literate descriptions that draw out the “world” in my mind, well enough, and Marks manages this beautifully in those first pages that are there to set the scene, so t...more

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Feb 05, 2010 Daniella Vargas rated it 4 of 5 stars

I cringe whenevr I see someone write "like Lord of the Rings" when reviewing a fantasy novel. Tolkien may be the best known, but really people, have you ever read something besides LOtR? Does EVERYTHING have to be like LOtR? It's like going into a nice restaurant, eating a wonderful meal, and saying it tasted like chicken. Everything does not taste like chicken and every fantasy book is not just like LOtR!

Anyway, rant aside, I'm not going to make LOtR comparisons because this book is nothing lik...more

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Mar 30, 2013 Charlene rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: ebook, review-request

I was drawn into this book by the promise of a new epic fantasy, and I was very happy to immerse myself in this new world. It's very rich with detail and characters with complex backstories. The novel gradually reveals each character's hidden secrets and desires in a way that makes the whole story compelling. The Elfhunter is pretty sinister as well, and finding out more about his vendetta was very interesting.

Although I enjoy the characters and the worldbuilding, there are times when I feel the...more

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Jan 29, 2013 James Williams rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

The story opens with two simple wood elves "camping" on a starry night and quickly transforms into a murder mystery!

The characters are incredibly well-formed, they are complicated and intricately portrayed. Marks truly employs character development as a method of introducing you the characters in the book rather than simply describing them. She brings you along as silent participant in the quest to find and kill the hideous creature that is brutally murdering her elven brethren.

As the story prog...more The story opens with two simple wood elves "camping" on a starry night and quickly transforms into a murder mystery!

The characters are incredibly well-formed, they are complicated and intricately portrayed. Marks truly employs character development as a method of introducing you the characters in the book rather than simply describing them. She brings you along as silent participant in the quest to find and kill the hideous creature that is brutally murdering her elven brethren.

As the story progresses the duo quickly turns into a foursome adding a subtle dynamic of romance. I did not feel as though this story was at all bogged down by emotional romantic sentiment, but instead the progression of how each of the characters genuinely cared about one another. It was nice not being caught up in yet another story of co-dependency where the theme was "I can't live without you". The interactions between the company were of heartfelt emotions rather than lust driven needs.

The battle scenes were amazing, keeping you on the edge of your seat. Marks is not afraid to take risks in letting important characters die. Some of the losses were shocking. Usually I can tell who is "wearing the red shirt" in a book but this story kept me on edge because you never knew who was going to be next.

It is always a bit of nail-biter when going up against a seemingly invincible foe. In the first real confrontation with Gorgon Efhunter the company met with utter disaster. I was left with a bit of hopelessness, wondering what it would take defeat Gorgon.

Gorgon is a tortured hateful soul - his is a pretty classic "mommy didn't give him enough hugs" character. He oozes with hatred for all living things and will suffer none in his path to live. His hatred has driven him to self mutilation over his many years to the point of his origins being nearly impossible to trace.

I would recommend this book for any reader that enjoys fantasy. If you have a 10 year old that is a good reader this book is appropriate for the age group. And yes if you liked the Lord of the Rings you will love this story. The story movement is superb, the character development feels natural and there are many surprises throughout the story.

This is the second book I've read by Marks, it's safe to say at this point I am in fact now a fan of her work and I can't wait for the next installment in the Elfhunter trilogy. (less)

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May 19, 2012 Brian rated it 1 of 5 stars

I'm giving this book one more star than it deserves because I like wood elves. I'm tempted to leave the review at that, but no. Let's get something clear: I have nothing against fantasy cliches. I have nothing against amateur fiction. I say bring on the tropes and the giddy fans. And while this book is nothing but cliches, barely-veiled Tolkien analogues, and such, that is actually why I wanted to read it. I always wanted Mirkwood Adventures, basically, and this has a lot of the right ingredient...more I'm giving this book one more star than it deserves because I like wood elves. I'm tempted to leave the review at that, but no. Let's get something clear: I have nothing against fantasy cliches. I have nothing against amateur fiction. I say bring on the tropes and the giddy fans. And while this book is nothing but cliches, barely-veiled Tolkien analogues, and such, that is actually why I wanted to read it. I always wanted Mirkwood Adventures, basically, and this has a lot of the right ingredients. So while I've read reviews of this book that were negative because of all the cliches, I'm going to say right off the bat that I had no problem with that.

Unfortunately, she's just not a very good writer. Her manner of description and narrative has very little art to it. Characters have personalities but she tends to just tell us about them rather than letting the dialogue and events reveal them. Inner thoughts are spelled out plainly rather than revealed through actions or natural dialogues. Most crucially of all, it's just kind of boring, in spite of all the action that happens.

Again, I don't want to stereotype amateur authors or self-publishing, but sometimes it's just obvious why something was self-published. (Note: the crude illustrations don't help, particularly the cover.) I also don't want to malign that species of nerd who do actual archery, dress up in cloaks and ride real horses (and believe me, her horse fetish is exceedingly apparent in this book - I would call it horseporn but that means something else, so I hear). However, this is exactly the kind of book you would expect a professor who lives in the woods, shoots real arrows, adores horses, and worships Tolkien to write. I won't say it's self-indulgent, but it's got that fan fiction vibe to it. Kudos to her for having fans and writing more books, but it's just not for me. And I have some pretty low standards sometimes.

I'd also add that the marketing turns me off too. The back cover has emblazoned upon it "The best villain since Darth Vader" - as said by, er, probably some guy on the internet. Note: this is not the best villain since Darth Vader. It's not even the best villain since Dark Helmet. Gorgon isn't bad (except the name) but he's not special. Honestly, putting a quote like that on the back cover when it's so ridiculously hyperbolic just makes me roll my eyes at the entire enterprise.

Needless to say, I won't bother with the other books. I don't regret reading it but I'm about as satisfied as if I'd just eaten a saltine. I still want woodsy elfy adventures, dammit, preferably with a little more character.(less)

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Jul 01, 2010 Laura rated it 1 of 5 stars

Shelves: ebook, fantasy

I don't know if I'll ever finish reading this book. I'm finding it kind of painful to read. I think the writing style is just not for me, although is probably exactly right for others. It's too....descriptive, and not in a way that I find enjoyable to read. I don't need to know that one character's boots are green and another's are brown, or what they are wearing whenever they change clothes. There is also a lot of telling and not very much showing. The four main characters have personalities, t...more I don't know if I'll ever finish reading this book. I'm finding it kind of painful to read. I think the writing style is just not for me, although is probably exactly right for others. It's too....descriptive, and not in a way that I find enjoyable to read. I don't need to know that one character's boots are green and another's are brown, or what they are wearing whenever they change clothes. There is also a lot of telling and not very much showing. The four main characters have personalities, that I know the author can tell apart, but as a reader, with the way they are written, I am having a hard time seeing it. I don't really *get* the motivation for their quest either. I mean...the author explains it, but it doesn't make sense to me. I don't *believe* it. I feel like the character who is driven to go after this bad guy because of what he did to her friend, at least at the point in the story that I've read to, seemed more like a casual kind of acquaintance type friend, not an extremely close friend, and certainly not someone so close to her that she couldn't rest until his death was avenged.

The main villain is intriguing, but again, the way he comes across on the page, he doesn't seem that scary. I don't get any feeling of rage and menace when I read from his point-of-view, even though we're told that he is full of rage and hatred for the elves.

I just got the feeling that there was a lot the author knew about this world that she wanted to share, so there's a lot of extraneous stuff that detracts from the story (the author is a talented artist, so I can see why she might choose to include tons of very visual descriptions, but the extent to which they appear in this story just REALLY does not work for me at all). On the flip side of that, there are also essential bits of the story that never quite made it to the pages for the reader. I am fairly confident that all of the bits I felt were lacking are all in there in the author's head, so the story makes perfect sense to her, and if those bits had made it onto the page, the story would probably work for me much better.(less)

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Oct 17, 2012 Linda rated it 4 of 5 stars

The narrative story telling, at the beginning, was slow for me to get into at first; but the author had a world to set up and players to introduce. This is an intricate tale of an epic fantasy with a richly detailed plot, which grows into a quest.

The characters are solid and well rounded with personalities that you will come to love. Gaelen is a strong driven female elf who drives the quest. Orogond is the human ranger with heart. Fima is the dwarf lore master who has the wisdom and knowledge th...more

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Dec 31, 2010 Kyle rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I found Elfhunter to be an interesting epic fantasy story. It is rich in detail, although some may feel it goes a bit overboard at times. I figure since this is the first book in a trilogy, it had a lot of back story to explain and the author needed to frame the world of Altera, which includes your typical good versus evil plot along with common epic fantasy races such as elves, men, and dwarves.

The story is clean from a language and sex standpoint, and it features good themes of friendship, lo...more

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Feb 18, 2011 Nicole rated it 5 of 5 stars

I really enjoyed this book. It is a typical fantasy book with a host of interesting characters and a strong story line. I just started reading fantasy novels a few months ago and now cannot seem to pick up anything but. This is another fine example of why I am liking this genre of books. Thanks to the author for the hard work put into this novel. I just downloaded the second in the series for my Kindle, which I hope exceeds my expectations of where this story could lead.

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May 17, 2013 Robert Cherny rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Elfhunter is a fantasy in the classic mold. It features a heroine who does not want to be a heroine in spite of the fact that she's good at it. It has the classic magical elements and the struggle between good and evil with a psychological twist.

It is an easy read and I recommend it for a wide audience. Middle schoolers might have trouble with some of the concepts, but there is nothing here they should not read.

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Oct 09, 2011 Noelle rated it 4 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Anyone

Shelves: favorites

One of my friends let me borrow this book, and I'm so glad she did! This story was original, easy to read, and made me feel the characters without much difficulty. I like to have a relationship with a character in the books I read, and Marks did a great job bringing such a complex, far-off world to life.
Only thing I must complain, some parts had a bit to much description. But other than that, it was wonderful!

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Feb 05, 2011 Dave rated it 5 of 5 stars

This book is an excellent start to the Elfhunter trilogy. The world that the author creates is amazing and the characters seem to come alive. There is a fair mix of narrative, combat and romance that makes the story work wonderfully. The pace is slow to begin with but gradually winds up and actually helps the story along more than a rushed introduction would.

Absolutely a must!

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Jun 10, 2010 Tracey Alley rated it 5 of 5 stars

I'm loving this so far - C. S. Marks has created an utterly enchanting world.

What a wonderful imagination! It's rare to come across a novel with the amount of detail that C. S. Marks puts into this work. I would compare this work to one of my other all-time favourite fantasy reads - Katharine Kerr's Deverry series. Very well put together. A must have for fantasy lovers.

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Apr 22, 2009 Tanner rated it 5 of 5 stars

"Elfhunter" is a vivid tale that draws the reader in the the world of Alterra. Strong characters and an exciting plot will drive you down the road of sleep deprivation, you won't be able to put it down. The tale is well told. So hearken to the lore-master. Buy the book and enter the world that is!

Highly recommended!

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Nov 12, 2011 Ciscokid added it

Did not finish. Epic fantasy is just not for me. I should have know better when I read reviews that compared it to Lord of the Rings. Its well written, but just isn't the kind of book that has ever interested me. I gave it a good shot, but when I dread picking up my kindle, that is not a good sign.

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Apr 10, 2013 P.A. rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

The beginning was a bit strange but after reading a little farther I understand why C.S. Marks started there. The story moves along very nicely and fills in the necessary back story throughout without throwing the reader off course. The characters are so well developed that at times I felt I could see through their eyes. I'm looking forward to reading the next book it the series.

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Jan 30, 2013 Thomi Elmore added it · review of another edition

Absolutely wonderful character driven fantasy. Immersion in the world of Alterra was as deep as finding myself in Middle Earth years ago. Memorable villains - honorable heroes - grand themes of loyalty and friendship. Love it!

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Jan 29, 2013 Christi Barnes rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This book is incredibly well-written. The author certainly taken a wonderful world that she has built and brought us a very well crafted plot. I will be following this author's work and can't wait until the next book comes out.

Important note, I love reading fantasy and I loved the LOTR movies. However, I could NOT read the books. C.S. Marks is able to convey the same type of epic adventure in a modern and widely readable story-telling mode. You do not have muddle through pages and pages of desc...more

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Feb 06, 2011 Mary Smith rated it 4 of 5 stars

Author acknowledges debt to JRR Tolkein. Fast moving book with good descriptions. Style, format and characters very reminiscent of 'The Lord of the Rings' but sufficiently different to engage.

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Apr 15, 2012 Drury rated it 3 of 5 stars

I like the story line and the characters are interesting, if not very familiar (JRR Tolkien familiar). The writing is not as polished as some.

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Jan 17, 2010 Yolanda rated it 4 of 5 stars

almost done had to stop,very busy,but is a very great book.more detail later

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About C.S. Marks

C.S. Marks has often been described as a ‘Renaissance woman’. The child of an English professor, Chris has always loved classic literature as well as epic fantasy, and decided to try her hand at writing and illustrating an epic series. The result: The very successful Elfhunter trilogy, which has sold over 40,000 copies both in print and e-book form. This epic trilogy has garnered awards (Reviewer’...more

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