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The Saga of the Elven #3
Elven Queen
The battle for sovereignty over the realms reaches a devastating turning point as the international bestselling fantasy series continues.
All that stands between the advancing army of trolls and the endangered fortress of Phylangan is a coalition force led by Alfadas, human hero and protector. He’s amassed his own legion of swordsmen, elves, and ragtag thieves to stave off the enemy. And the next move they make could be the most dangerous one of all.
Those Alfadas has left behind are more vulnerable than ever—including his star-crossed elven love; their newborn child; and Queen Emerelle herself, who remains comatose and is powerless to safeguard her compromised kingdom.
But as Alfadas risks all in the violent campaign of the realms, the fate of Phylangan trembles ever more as the enemy advances. However tenuous Alfadas’s victory is, what he fears most is what will be left of the homeland he abandoned…
All that stands between the advancing army of trolls and the endangered fortress of Phylangan is a coalition force led by Alfadas, human hero and protector. He’s amassed his own legion of swordsmen, elves, and ragtag thieves to stave off the enemy. And the next move they make could be the most dangerous one of all.
Those Alfadas has left behind are more vulnerable than ever—including his star-crossed elven love; their newborn child; and Queen Emerelle herself, who remains comatose and is powerless to safeguard her compromised kingdom.
But as Alfadas risks all in the violent campaign of the realms, the fate of Phylangan trembles ever more as the enemy advances. However tenuous Alfadas’s victory is, what he fears most is what will be left of the homeland he abandoned…
331 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2005
406 people are currently reading
1004 people want to read
About the author
Bernhard Hennen
152 books466 followersBernhard Hennen, 1966 in Krefeld geboren, ist ausgebildeter Germanist, Archäologe und Historiker. Sein Studium absolvierte er an der Universität Köln.
Schon während des Studiums arbeitete er als Journalist für verschiedene Zeitungen und Radiosender.
1994 verfasste er gemeinsam mit Wolfgang Hohlbein seinen ersten Roman (DAS JAHR DES GREIFEN), der im selben Jahr als bester deutscher Fantasyroman prämiert wurde.
Zurzeit liegen von Bernhard Hennen ca. 25 historische und phantastische Romane, sowie eine Reihe von Kurzgeschichten vor. Mit dem historischen Roman „Die Könige der ersten Nacht“ veröffentlichte er 1999 sein erstes Hardcover, dem in den beiden folgenden Jahren noch zwei weitere folgten. „Die Könige der ersten Nacht“ wurde durch ein Stipendium der Sparkassenstiftung zur Förderung rheinischen Kulturguts unterstützt.
Neben seiner schriftstellerischen Arbeit entwickelte Bernhard Hennen die Storyline für ein Computerspiel und verfasste verschiedene preisgekrönte Abenteuermodule für Fantasy-Rollenspiele unter dem Label „Das Schwarze Auge“.
Bernhard Hennen ist verheiratet, hat eine Tochter und einen Sohn und lebt seit Ende 2000 in seiner Geburtsstadt Krefeld.
Schon während des Studiums arbeitete er als Journalist für verschiedene Zeitungen und Radiosender.
1994 verfasste er gemeinsam mit Wolfgang Hohlbein seinen ersten Roman (DAS JAHR DES GREIFEN), der im selben Jahr als bester deutscher Fantasyroman prämiert wurde.
Zurzeit liegen von Bernhard Hennen ca. 25 historische und phantastische Romane, sowie eine Reihe von Kurzgeschichten vor. Mit dem historischen Roman „Die Könige der ersten Nacht“ veröffentlichte er 1999 sein erstes Hardcover, dem in den beiden folgenden Jahren noch zwei weitere folgten. „Die Könige der ersten Nacht“ wurde durch ein Stipendium der Sparkassenstiftung zur Förderung rheinischen Kulturguts unterstützt.
Neben seiner schriftstellerischen Arbeit entwickelte Bernhard Hennen die Storyline für ein Computerspiel und verfasste verschiedene preisgekrönte Abenteuermodule für Fantasy-Rollenspiele unter dem Label „Das Schwarze Auge“.
Bernhard Hennen ist verheiratet, hat eine Tochter und einen Sohn und lebt seit Ende 2000 in seiner Geburtsstadt Krefeld.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
September 7, 2020
This book is the continuation of the tale of Elven Winter, I definitely would not recommend reading it without reading Elven Winter first.
Unfortunately, for me, it feels like the author just sort of gave up near the end. There were all these loose threads and complications, and they just sort of putter out, and some things still feel unresolved. I would have a hard time saying exactly how the war ended. And since the action of this tale is inserted into the middle of The Elven, I would have thought that things would have tied together better at the end, to fit into the previous story.
Unfortunately, for me, it feels like the author just sort of gave up near the end. There were all these loose threads and complications, and they just sort of putter out, and some things still feel unresolved. I would have a hard time saying exactly how the war ended. And since the action of this tale is inserted into the middle of The Elven, I would have thought that things would have tied together better at the end, to fit into the previous story.
June 19, 2022
None of the novels by Hennen that I have read so far (only three, all belonging to the Elven series) are amazing. The pacing was off in the first novel and this one (I do not even remember what I thought about the second one in this regard, which is saying a lot in its own right.) I found myself looking at clothes I wanted to shop online for a prolonged amount of the time it took the narrator to relate the story.
I liked that some of the sorrow the characters expected, in fact, came to pass, albeit much later than they had anticipated. (I am referring to Alfadas and his wife, especially.) What ruined it for me, however, was that the natural conclusion is being countermanded by magic. ( Although, it has to be said, that no one is happy together after the troll war, at least not as they used to.
I took the last pages to mean that Alfadas, in particular, came to realise what he has lost.
Moreover, we are shown the duality of Alfada's nature, his longing for Elvenmark, for Elven company and that his inability to be contented with what he has, which is a beautiful human family, leads ultimately to him being resented by his wife, Asla, who often feels alone and abandoned by him.
The ending made me sad.
I liked that some of the sorrow the characters expected, in fact, came to pass, albeit much later than they had anticipated. (I am referring to Alfadas and his wife, especially.) What ruined it for me, however, was that the natural conclusion is being countermanded by magic. ( Although, it has to be said, that no one is happy together after the troll war, at least not as they used to.
I took the last pages to mean that Alfadas, in particular, came to realise what he has lost.
Moreover, we are shown the duality of Alfada's nature, his longing for Elvenmark, for Elven company and that his inability to be contented with what he has, which is a beautiful human family, leads ultimately to him being resented by his wife, Asla, who often feels alone and abandoned by him.
The ending made me sad.
May 15, 2022
The wonderful writing & translating style continues as the epic saga concludes. A lot of the events and characters almost feel as if they are real-world myths or legendary stories.
As I'm reading, I'm pretty immersed in what's going on. While reading it's probably feels like 4-stars. That's the writing style.
After finishing, I look back and think, well was it really 4 stars? I remember Book I, which had a really compelling plot and character relationship suspense.
Book I was closer to 5 stars. This doesn't really try to have that similar kind of suspense, there are hints of it and I think it would have been really interesting to explore.
If it had explored these, the themes would have lined up with Book I and it would have an overall satisfaction as a connecting saga.
But instead, the plot goes other directions and these interesting threads end and it's not quite as compelling.
So, three stars. But still, a very pleasant read. So it feels like four as you are reading.
Overall:
It's a great read but one that ends up not being as compelling as it could have been had certain plot threads played out differently.
Book I is the only book I highly recommend, but if you enjoy the writing style as I did Books II and III are pleasant though not compelling as a whole saga.
As I'm reading, I'm pretty immersed in what's going on. While reading it's probably feels like 4-stars. That's the writing style.
After finishing, I look back and think, well was it really 4 stars? I remember Book I, which had a really compelling plot and character relationship suspense.
Book I was closer to 5 stars. This doesn't really try to have that similar kind of suspense, there are hints of it and I think it would have been really interesting to explore.
If it had explored these, the themes would have lined up with Book I and it would have an overall satisfaction as a connecting saga.
But instead, the plot goes other directions and these interesting threads end and it's not quite as compelling.
So, three stars. But still, a very pleasant read. So it feels like four as you are reading.
Overall:
It's a great read but one that ends up not being as compelling as it could have been had certain plot threads played out differently.
Book I is the only book I highly recommend, but if you enjoy the writing style as I did Books II and III are pleasant though not compelling as a whole saga.
June 27, 2019
I had read the two prior novels but they have been published so far apart that I would need to re-read them to fully appreciate this volume. My recollection of the characters has dimmed. I did like how the author provided viewpoints from both sides. The trolls truly believe they are in the right to reclaim their former kingdom. On the other hand, the elves have dominated the land for eons and feel justified in defending their claim. Our human hero, Duke Alfadas, sides with the elves. His wife, Asla, has been left behind as he goes off to war but proves herself a force to be reckoned with. There's magic aplenty, although it does seem that the trolls are more reliant on it than the elves.
This story has its tragic side as the elves and humans become decimated. *SPOILER* I do not understand in the slightest why the trolls helped Asla, Kalf and Kadlin survive. Who were these trolls?I was under the impression that their shaman wanted to absorb Asla's spirit (soul?) Is this the end? Will there be more to this story? Inquiring minds want to know.
This story has its tragic side as the elves and humans become decimated. *SPOILER* I do not understand in the slightest why the trolls helped Asla, Kalf and Kadlin survive. Who were these trolls?I was under the impression that their shaman wanted to absorb Asla's spirit (soul?) Is this the end? Will there be more to this story? Inquiring minds want to know.
June 18, 2019
Writen and released in 2005 And it is now 2019 and...
It took the publishers of this book 14 years to translate then release it in English? I had to read the previous two books before this to remember how the saga had been left at the end of book 2!!! They are all good books but that really is a long time to wait for the 3rd book. And I'm wondering if the 3rd book is actually the last!!!
It took the publishers of this book 14 years to translate then release it in English? I had to read the previous two books before this to remember how the saga had been left at the end of book 2!!! They are all good books but that really is a long time to wait for the 3rd book. And I'm wondering if the 3rd book is actually the last!!!
November 7, 2019
Expected More
Left a lot unsaid. The battles were weak with very little time spent on them, particularly with the lengthy buildup. I was surprised to learn the final battle was over, I just couldn't believe it ended so quickly. It was like two paragraphs. Then the closing resolution didn't say much. Although, (Spoiler Alert) there is an interesting twist at the end.
Left a lot unsaid. The battles were weak with very little time spent on them, particularly with the lengthy buildup. I was surprised to learn the final battle was over, I just couldn't believe it ended so quickly. It was like two paragraphs. Then the closing resolution didn't say much. Although, (Spoiler Alert) there is an interesting twist at the end.
December 2, 2021
This is a good book right up to the point when it really isn’t. I was going to give it 4 stars, despite it being over detailed in some places and overblown in others, but then I got to the end and it’s so weak it feels like the author just gave up. Convenience triumphed over effort - really, what is the point in investing all of that time into those characters, well drawn as they are, just to drift off like that into something that may seem neat, but just makes very little sense and leaves so many plot lines hanging completely unfinished. Sure, there might be another book in the series, but the author hasn’t decided whether he can be bothered to write it yet so has given no indication that this extends beyond the trilogy.
Great first book, but very unsatisfactory second and third - if I had known that the story would be left in such a state I wouldn’t have continued it.
Great first book, but very unsatisfactory second and third - if I had known that the story would be left in such a state I wouldn’t have continued it.
February 4, 2024
This is the conclusion to the tale of Alfadas, which started in "Elven Winter", though it is not a conclusion of the events that started in that book. Those are referenced in the first book, "Elven", though it's a while since I read that so I don't recall how much detail was included.
This is a faster-paced tale which centres more around the interactions between the Humans and the Trolls, as they continue their war against the Elves, and spans events both in Albenmark and the Fjordlands of the Humans.
The world-building, battles, characters and emotional impact of this story is a step up from "Elven Winter", which was wonderfully rich in its detail, and is subsequently even more engaging.
This is a satisfying conclusion to the trilogy, though it does lend itself to the possibility of further stories, which I would definitely read.
This is a faster-paced tale which centres more around the interactions between the Humans and the Trolls, as they continue their war against the Elves, and spans events both in Albenmark and the Fjordlands of the Humans.
The world-building, battles, characters and emotional impact of this story is a step up from "Elven Winter", which was wonderfully rich in its detail, and is subsequently even more engaging.
This is a satisfying conclusion to the trilogy, though it does lend itself to the possibility of further stories, which I would definitely read.
April 20, 2020
Another price of masterful word smithing from the author telling a powerfully engaging story with moving moments for characters and a plot that moved along nicely until it didn’t. Like book 2, the ending was abrupt and left more open storylines with no sequels then I thought possible. That said, book 2 and 3 are a wonderful read but get them both. Hope the author will get off his backside and write the sequels with decent book endings. There are plenty of open story lines so let’s see those sequels please!!.. If the main story line gracefully exited in this novel, it would be a 5 star joy to read end to end!!
February 26, 2021
Not the same as the first book in the series, but plenty of action. The trolls invade, the elves queen is badly hurt and she is moved to the human world to hide from the enemies...
Epic battles follow... finally the elves- humans alliance win but with heavy loses.
At the end of the book you still want to know what is next for the main characters.
Overall, if you like the genre, it's more or less of what you'd expect from the author.
I'd wish to read the next in the series, but it's not available in English for now.
Epic battles follow... finally the elves- humans alliance win but with heavy loses.
At the end of the book you still want to know what is next for the main characters.
Overall, if you like the genre, it's more or less of what you'd expect from the author.
I'd wish to read the next in the series, but it's not available in English for now.
March 17, 2020
That's it?
I thoroughly enjoyed this series- wonderful characters, story, writing. However, the ending seemed rather, I don't know, hurried or clumsy or half-hearted? I felt like this series could have supported at least one more book and been spectacular. I went looking for the next book and there is none. The reader is left a little confused by the abrupt ending and wanting more.
I thoroughly enjoyed this series- wonderful characters, story, writing. However, the ending seemed rather, I don't know, hurried or clumsy or half-hearted? I felt like this series could have supported at least one more book and been spectacular. I went looking for the next book and there is none. The reader is left a little confused by the abrupt ending and wanting more.
October 12, 2020
I'm glad it's finished.
This one has been hanging over my head for a while. I finished his other two at the new year and had been intending to read this one ever since. I'm glad I have read it as it was an appropriate end. But I'm also glad I can move onto other things. As gruesome at times as the other two books, my dislike of trolls has only increased. But a fitting end to the Elven storyline.
This one has been hanging over my head for a while. I finished his other two at the new year and had been intending to read this one ever since. I'm glad I have read it as it was an appropriate end. But I'm also glad I can move onto other things. As gruesome at times as the other two books, my dislike of trolls has only increased. But a fitting end to the Elven storyline.
October 23, 2023
I liked the first book. The second one took me so long to read and I nearly gave up. I picked up the third reluctantly and expecting a similar book to the second. Then I got sucked in unawares and had to force myself to put it down in between readings or I would have had no sleep at all.
Really good third book but I do feel like the end ended too abruptly. Will there be a fourth book? It feels like a lot has been unresolved or left open...
Really good third book but I do feel like the end ended too abruptly. Will there be a fourth book? It feels like a lot has been unresolved or left open...
April 7, 2021
Feels unfinished
I have enjoyed this series from the first book but this, the last listed book in the series, didn't seem to hint of more to come. I find it unsatisfying when a series ends with so much unfinished business. Having said that, it was worth the read because the characters and story are strong even if things weren't neatly tied up at the end.
I have enjoyed this series from the first book but this, the last listed book in the series, didn't seem to hint of more to come. I find it unsatisfying when a series ends with so much unfinished business. Having said that, it was worth the read because the characters and story are strong even if things weren't neatly tied up at the end.
June 3, 2021
Elven Queen
Thank goodness I've finished this trilogy of books. Finally I can get a good night's sleep.... What a fantastic story. I highly recommend these books. I must say it's been a while that a book has gripped me from start to finish the way these have. The last book is quite violent and gory but what else can you accept from a Troll... Such a shame it has finished.
Thank goodness I've finished this trilogy of books. Finally I can get a good night's sleep.... What a fantastic story. I highly recommend these books. I must say it's been a while that a book has gripped me from start to finish the way these have. The last book is quite violent and gory but what else can you accept from a Troll... Such a shame it has finished.
May 28, 2020
A good book
Enjoyable to read, a fast paced book but still detailed enough so that it's complexity still comes through. Didn't believe this is where we would end up after reading the first one.
Enjoyable to read, a fast paced book but still detailed enough so that it's complexity still comes through. Didn't believe this is where we would end up after reading the first one.
January 8, 2021
A book to be read if you enjoy fantasy
A great book! Works full of danger with evil creatures and heroes from every walk of life. A world of elves and trolls living beside creatures of magic. Beautiful things made from the same mystical force.
. Between
A great book! Works full of danger with evil creatures and heroes from every walk of life. A world of elves and trolls living beside creatures of magic. Beautiful things made from the same mystical force.
. Between
December 21, 2022
Great read
Fabulous story from a writer with a great imagination, especially loved the action scenes. Can't wait for the Next book.would recommend and have already done doctor my friends
Fabulous story from a writer with a great imagination, especially loved the action scenes. Can't wait for the Next book.would recommend and have already done doctor my friends
September 3, 2024
I loved this series from beginning to end. A great world, unique ideas and fun and engaging characters. I really hated when it ended, so I immediately read the series again. Elves, friendships, adventures, it had it all.
Want to read
February 21, 2020Can I ask a question here? I just finished book 2, and I see this one is about Alfadas. Does this mean it goes back in time and is not a continuation about Neuromon?
March 31, 2020
Finished at last.
This was the hardest of the trio to finish but necessary tying up loose ends. A good saga very enjoyable.
This was the hardest of the trio to finish but necessary tying up loose ends. A good saga very enjoyable.
April 19, 2020
Elven queen
This is the last book in the eleven saga it was as good as the other 2 books will look for more from this author
This is the last book in the eleven saga it was as good as the other 2 books will look for more from this author
June 30, 2020
I loved the first book, the second was ok and this one wasn't good enough. Read the first one and then stop.
July 10, 2020
Excellent end to take. The novel closed many of the story lines while opening new possibilities
October 20, 2020
Sadly, not really much about the Elven Queen.
More world building and filling in of history, some great characters throughout.
More world building and filling in of history, some great characters throughout.
October 25, 2020
Loved it!
The final book in the series was just as much of a page turner! It was nice to see how the world settled back down after the battles!
The final book in the series was just as much of a page turner! It was nice to see how the world settled back down after the battles!
December 13, 2020
The first book of this series had majesty and mystery. It has descended to a third-rate bleh fantasy story. Utterly missable.
May 9, 2021
Not as good as the first 2 but still worthwhile
July 16, 2022
All about the living
This final book in the series is an extension of the themes of honor and love, of bravery and sacrifice, of life and death, and of elven magic.
This final book in the series is an extension of the themes of honor and love, of bravery and sacrifice, of life and death, and of elven magic.
August 5, 2023
Great conclusion to the series
Lots of plot twists and an ending I did it see coming. Every good series. Highly recommend. You won't be disappointed.
Lots of plot twists and an ending I did it see coming. Every good series. Highly recommend. You won't be disappointed.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews