Helpful Score: 4
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.
Helpful Score: 3
two great fantasy authors in a very lengthy but absorbing tale about species interaction {elves, humans, dragons} which turns the accepted human=superiority model on its head..recommended..
Helpful Score: 1
When I was younger, I really enjoyed this- it was still a good re-read - especially since I have the next two books. However, I think that the series isn't over after that, and, Andre Norton has passed away... so I wonder if it will ever be finished.
Well writen with a clever, fast paced plot.
This was interesting beginning part of a story by two wondeful fantasy authors!
Michelle M. (chelli70) reviewed The Elvenbane (Halfblood Chronicles, Bk 1) on + 24 more book reviews
With a few plot twists and turns that took me by suprise, this book was hard to put down.
When I was in my teens, I read this book and thought it was one of the best books I had ever read. The first half of the book is a very good lead into the world created by Mercedes Lackey and Andre Norton. We get to ride along as Shana grows up in a dragon colony (why cant I be that lucky!), as she explores her own magical abilities, and eventually as she learns that the dragon colony may not be for her.
However, then things drastically shift gear for the second half of the book as more and more new characters are introduced and Shana is thrown into ever increasing dangerous situations. In fact, the second half of the book became kind of muddled for me and I am pained to point out these flaws. I really wanted to love this book as much or more so as an adult. I think the major issue for me was that in the first half of the book we have pretty clear story rules about what the dragons could do magically, what the elves could do magically, and what the humans could do magically. Each had their own flavor of magic where certain things were possible and others things impossible. Then individuals within the race had varying strengths. Made sense. But the second half of the book kind of broke all those rules, or threw them out the window.was there a window or did they just smash against the wall and get all mixed together?
However, then things drastically shift gear for the second half of the book as more and more new characters are introduced and Shana is thrown into ever increasing dangerous situations. In fact, the second half of the book became kind of muddled for me and I am pained to point out these flaws. I really wanted to love this book as much or more so as an adult. I think the major issue for me was that in the first half of the book we have pretty clear story rules about what the dragons could do magically, what the elves could do magically, and what the humans could do magically. Each had their own flavor of magic where certain things were possible and others things impossible. Then individuals within the race had varying strengths. Made sense. But the second half of the book kind of broke all those rules, or threw them out the window.was there a window or did they just smash against the wall and get all mixed together?
Martha S. (Marthatori) reviewed The Elvenbane (Halfblood Chronicles, Bk 1) on + 33 more book reviews
This is the story of Shana, a halfbreed born of the forbidden union of an Elvenlord father with a human mother. Her exiled mother dead, she was rescued and raised by dragons, a proud, ancient race who existed unbeknownst to elven or humankind.
From birth, Shana was the embodiment of the Prophecy that the all-powerful Elvenloards feared. Her destiny is the enthralling adventure of a lifetime. Slow starting.
not my cup of tea
Andre Norton and Mercedes Lackey, 2 masters of epic fantasy, have combined to create a rousing tale of the sort that becomes an instant favorite. This is the story of Shana, a halfbreed born of the forbidden union of an Elvenlord father with a human mother. Her exiled mother dead, she was rescued and raised by dragons. From birth she was the embodiment of the Prophecy that the all-powerful Elvenlords feared. Her destiny is the enthralling adventure of a lifetime. Winner of the SF Book Club Book of the Year Award.
"Two masters of epic fantasy have combined in this brilliant collaboration to create a rousing tale of the sort that becomes an instant favorite. This is the story of Shana, a halfbreed born of the forbidden union of an Elvenlord father and a human mother. Her exiled mother dead, she was rescued and raised by dragons, a proud, ancient race who existed unbeknownst to elven or humankind. From birth, Shana was the embodiment of the Prophecy that the all-powerful Elvenlords feared. Her destiny is the enthralling adventure of a lifetime."
