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Elfquest #2
The Forbidden Grove
Strange "spirits" lurk in beautiful places. After seven peaceful years, Cutter and Skywise must leave the safety of Sorrow's End. Their quest? To find and unite other tribes of elves against the ever-growing threat of warring humans. But first they must brave the open desert, treacherous trolls, and the eerie dangers of Forbidden Grove.
208 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1982
7 people are currently reading
231 people want to read
About the author
Wendy Pini
614 books390 followersWendy Pini is one-half of a husband and wife team with Richard Pini that created, most notably, the Elfquest series.
Wendy was born in California and adopted into the Fletcher Family in Santa Clara County. Early on, she developed as an artist and was the illustrator of her high school year book. She submitted samples of her artwork to Marvel Comics at 17 that were rejected.
Pini attended Pitzer College and received her B.A. in the Arts and joined the Los Angeles Science Fiction Society.
In 1972, she married Richard Pini and began illustrating science fiction magazines, including Galaxy, Galileo, and Worlds of If. In 1977, Richard and Wendy established a publishing company called Warp Graphics to publish their first Elfquest comic. Elfquest was self-published for 25 years and in 2003, licensed to DC Comics. The comic series has won several awards, including the Ed Aprill Award for Best Independent Comic, two Alley Awards, the Fantasy Festival Comic Book Awards for Best Alternative Comic, and the Golden Pen Award.
Wendy has illustrated other works, including Jonny Quest in 1986, Law and Chaos in 1987, and in 1989, two graphic novels of Beauty and the Beast. Recently in 2007, she completed a graphic novel entitled The Masque of Red Death.
Wendy has received several awards over the last four decades, including the San Diego Comic Convention Inkpot Award, the New York State Jaycees Distinguished Service Award, the Balrog Award for Best Artist, and was inducted into the Friends of Lulu Women Cartoonists Hall of Fame in 2002.
Wendy and her husband currently reside in Poughkeepsie, New York.
Wendy was born in California and adopted into the Fletcher Family in Santa Clara County. Early on, she developed as an artist and was the illustrator of her high school year book. She submitted samples of her artwork to Marvel Comics at 17 that were rejected.
Pini attended Pitzer College and received her B.A. in the Arts and joined the Los Angeles Science Fiction Society.
In 1972, she married Richard Pini and began illustrating science fiction magazines, including Galaxy, Galileo, and Worlds of If. In 1977, Richard and Wendy established a publishing company called Warp Graphics to publish their first Elfquest comic. Elfquest was self-published for 25 years and in 2003, licensed to DC Comics. The comic series has won several awards, including the Ed Aprill Award for Best Independent Comic, two Alley Awards, the Fantasy Festival Comic Book Awards for Best Alternative Comic, and the Golden Pen Award.
Wendy has illustrated other works, including Jonny Quest in 1986, Law and Chaos in 1987, and in 1989, two graphic novels of Beauty and the Beast. Recently in 2007, she completed a graphic novel entitled The Masque of Red Death.
Wendy has received several awards over the last four decades, including the San Diego Comic Convention Inkpot Award, the New York State Jaycees Distinguished Service Award, the Balrog Award for Best Artist, and was inducted into the Friends of Lulu Women Cartoonists Hall of Fame in 2002.
Wendy and her husband currently reside in Poughkeepsie, New York.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 59 reviews
September 6, 2018
My quest for elves continues with Book Two of the collected first series of the original comic book. Stop here if you are just now encountering “Elfquest” for the first time. Go back and pick up the series from the beginning. You can read my review for Book One here if you desire:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I won’t rehash much of what was in that review regarding the background of the series as a whole. Suffice to say that I am very lucky to own the original Starblaze/Donning graphic novels. By the time that this second collection came out it was obvious that “Elfquest” had become an independent publishing phenomenon. Wendy and Richard Pini were now at the helm of a runaway success, and the pressures on their time were increasing. The series had also gained the attention of several well-known fantasy and science-fiction writers, who praised the strip for its grand ambitions and its robust world-building. Poul Anderson wrote one of the introductory commentaries to this particular volume, and his appreciation and enthusiasm for the project was evident.
“Elfquest” had also gained traction in the independent comics industry as a whole, and other creative teams were now in the process of trying to duplicate the success of the Pinis. In a sense, “Elfquest” and its DIY ethic were a very “punk” sort of undertaking. It’s kind of odd to think that, but it’s true. Or maybe I just like to read the book with a Ramones soundtrack. Whatever…..don’t judge me.
The events in “Elfquest” Book Two take place approximately 7 years after Cutter and his band of Wolfriders discover the Sun Folk living amid their desert oasis. Cutter and Leah have sired a energetic set of twins, and life seems to be going on for the blended tribes. Trouble rears its head in the form of three outcast humans who show up on the doorstep of the tribes. Shocked by this intrusion, the elves fear that they are now in danger of more and more human incursions into their land. Ever decisive in the face of danger, Cutter decides to go on a quest to see if there are other elf tribes in the world. His hope is that by combining strength, the elfin race can hold off the growing menace of the human species as it expands into new territories. His brother from another mother Skywise chooses to accompany him into the wilds…..and off they go!! Along the way they will once again encounter the trolls, and more humans than they would like. Traversing the desert route that led them to the Sun Folk, Cutter and Skywise emerge from the Troll Mountain to discover a largely abandoned and burned out landscape. Will they discover other elves? Will the humans do them more harm? Will Leetah feel like she made a horrible mistake by not accompanying her husband on his journey? These questions and many more will be answered, but I’m not going to give you any spoilers.
I like how Wendy and Richard expand on their creation in this volume. Book One was mostly a stand-alone story meant to introduce the characters and the universe they live in. Book Two is a headlong jump into the meat and potatoes of the series, allowing for a lot of character development and expanding the scope of the story into full-on “epic” status. The Trolls are given a chapter that gives depth to them as adversaries (and occasional reluctant allies). More than mere comic foils, the Trolls are given a place of respect in the “Elfquest” canon. The story of the human race is GREATLY amplified, and they become much more than the primitive brutes as introduced in the first book. It is quickly becoming apparent that there is a lot more depth to the humans as characters, and the elves find both trauma and unexpected kindness at their hands along the way. This is world-building at its finest, as the Pinis exploit a lot of emotional triggers as the plot unfolds. There is also the introduction of the wood sprites, and the annoying yet incredibly cute Petalwing. Obviously more than mere fairies, Petalwing and her race will have an impact on events yet to come.
Book Two ends on a cliffhanger, with Cutter’s quest given new life and new direction even as the volume closes on a sinister note. We are only halfway through the original 20-issue story, kids…..there is a LOT more to come. The richness of the story and the strength of the plot are evident here, and Wendy Pini’s artwork continues to evolve as she truly gets a handle on her characters. The background art is lovely and the story and the artwork flow seamlessly in a kinetic melding that just screams MOTION!
I guess it’s on to Book Three now…..I’m very interested to see what comes next for Cutter and his fellow questors. Up the Elves!!!!
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I won’t rehash much of what was in that review regarding the background of the series as a whole. Suffice to say that I am very lucky to own the original Starblaze/Donning graphic novels. By the time that this second collection came out it was obvious that “Elfquest” had become an independent publishing phenomenon. Wendy and Richard Pini were now at the helm of a runaway success, and the pressures on their time were increasing. The series had also gained the attention of several well-known fantasy and science-fiction writers, who praised the strip for its grand ambitions and its robust world-building. Poul Anderson wrote one of the introductory commentaries to this particular volume, and his appreciation and enthusiasm for the project was evident.
“Elfquest” had also gained traction in the independent comics industry as a whole, and other creative teams were now in the process of trying to duplicate the success of the Pinis. In a sense, “Elfquest” and its DIY ethic were a very “punk” sort of undertaking. It’s kind of odd to think that, but it’s true. Or maybe I just like to read the book with a Ramones soundtrack. Whatever…..don’t judge me.
The events in “Elfquest” Book Two take place approximately 7 years after Cutter and his band of Wolfriders discover the Sun Folk living amid their desert oasis. Cutter and Leah have sired a energetic set of twins, and life seems to be going on for the blended tribes. Trouble rears its head in the form of three outcast humans who show up on the doorstep of the tribes. Shocked by this intrusion, the elves fear that they are now in danger of more and more human incursions into their land. Ever decisive in the face of danger, Cutter decides to go on a quest to see if there are other elf tribes in the world. His hope is that by combining strength, the elfin race can hold off the growing menace of the human species as it expands into new territories. His brother from another mother Skywise chooses to accompany him into the wilds…..and off they go!! Along the way they will once again encounter the trolls, and more humans than they would like. Traversing the desert route that led them to the Sun Folk, Cutter and Skywise emerge from the Troll Mountain to discover a largely abandoned and burned out landscape. Will they discover other elves? Will the humans do them more harm? Will Leetah feel like she made a horrible mistake by not accompanying her husband on his journey? These questions and many more will be answered, but I’m not going to give you any spoilers.
I like how Wendy and Richard expand on their creation in this volume. Book One was mostly a stand-alone story meant to introduce the characters and the universe they live in. Book Two is a headlong jump into the meat and potatoes of the series, allowing for a lot of character development and expanding the scope of the story into full-on “epic” status. The Trolls are given a chapter that gives depth to them as adversaries (and occasional reluctant allies). More than mere comic foils, the Trolls are given a place of respect in the “Elfquest” canon. The story of the human race is GREATLY amplified, and they become much more than the primitive brutes as introduced in the first book. It is quickly becoming apparent that there is a lot more depth to the humans as characters, and the elves find both trauma and unexpected kindness at their hands along the way. This is world-building at its finest, as the Pinis exploit a lot of emotional triggers as the plot unfolds. There is also the introduction of the wood sprites, and the annoying yet incredibly cute Petalwing. Obviously more than mere fairies, Petalwing and her race will have an impact on events yet to come.
Book Two ends on a cliffhanger, with Cutter’s quest given new life and new direction even as the volume closes on a sinister note. We are only halfway through the original 20-issue story, kids…..there is a LOT more to come. The richness of the story and the strength of the plot are evident here, and Wendy Pini’s artwork continues to evolve as she truly gets a handle on her characters. The background art is lovely and the story and the artwork flow seamlessly in a kinetic melding that just screams MOTION!
I guess it’s on to Book Three now…..I’m very interested to see what comes next for Cutter and his fellow questors. Up the Elves!!!!
July 28, 2014
The second book of this original ElfQuest series does not disappoint – at all. Great story development.
June 23, 2018
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ My all-time favorite graphic novels, this one is as lovely as the first—the story, the artwork all beautifully done and continues to stay relevant through the years.
March 2, 2019
Re-reading in english as a freebie on the official http://elfquest.com/read/digitalEQ.html website.
Includes individual releases #6-10
Includes individual releases #6-10
February 4, 2011
Childhood classics all the way. I can still see myself gnaw on Jawbreakers fire balls and escape to the world of Elfquest at the library. The day I found out my dad actually owned 4 to 5 books beat Christmas. Today, they are just as good.
I have to say that I feel sorry for the fact that the Pini's later decided to let money prevail and handed over their baby to less talented artists. How could they let others screw up so badly?
I have to say that I feel sorry for the fact that the Pini's later decided to let money prevail and handed over their baby to less talented artists. How could they let others screw up so badly?
March 20, 2010
I'm really glad the authors finally added in some positive human / elf interaction. I was really starting to hate my race from just the first book. Great cliffhanger too, cant wait to start book 3
May 23, 2013
A good read, but they're still warming up.
January 9, 2024
ElfQuest is a beautiful exploration of people and culture in a fantasy world that started back in the 1970's and still runs to this day. On this world humans are still very much in their barbaric cavemen days while elves are the fierce hunters but also fun loving children of the forest who just want to be left alone. We meet Cutter and his clan of Wolf Riders just as they're escaping a deadly clash with the humans of their area that results in them burning down the whole forest and its through these elves' eyes that we get to explore this lush world and storytelling.
Back when I was introduced to this world in middle school by my cousin, I was immediately taken with the stunning artwork and the way these characters were portrayed. The Wolf Riders and the other elves in the story are very obviously part of the same race, but show a wide variety in every aspect of their design depending on where in the world they settled (much like actual humans in our world). From the beginning we have a large handful of characters to keep track of, elf, troll and human alike, and yet it never felt like a struggle to keep track of them because of their design and how their names just fit them so well...
Read my review on the full series at Well, Are They? A Queer Review blog
https://wellarethey.blogspot.com/2022...
Back when I was introduced to this world in middle school by my cousin, I was immediately taken with the stunning artwork and the way these characters were portrayed. The Wolf Riders and the other elves in the story are very obviously part of the same race, but show a wide variety in every aspect of their design depending on where in the world they settled (much like actual humans in our world). From the beginning we have a large handful of characters to keep track of, elf, troll and human alike, and yet it never felt like a struggle to keep track of them because of their design and how their names just fit them so well...
Read my review on the full series at Well, Are They? A Queer Review blog
https://wellarethey.blogspot.com/2022...
December 11, 2025
It's strange how many things I didn't specifically remember until I was back in this. Even the name of the major antagonist that only appears briefly at the end.
What is very apparent here is Pini's excellent command of time and space in a page of panels. There are three instances where this really springs to mind, although I can't claim this as an original thought, because I feel like one of the intros to these volumes also mentions it. The first and second are when Cutter and Skywise get drunk on Dreamberry wine. Cutters slow sink out of frame and Skywise slowly smiling are beautifully done. But the major example is when Thief tries to steal the lodestone. Not only the way that what could have been two or three panels is stretched out to a full page denoting how time feels like it slows down in a major moment like that, but also the shape of the panels on the page resonating with the swing of a sword.
It also amuses me this time around to realise that while Nonna and Adar are the Richard and Wendy "self inserts" in the story, it's also very clear that Cutter's parents are likewise based on the creators. I feel like I must have noticed that previously, but it definitely leapt out at me this time.
This is also where the story really starts in earnest.
What is very apparent here is Pini's excellent command of time and space in a page of panels. There are three instances where this really springs to mind, although I can't claim this as an original thought, because I feel like one of the intros to these volumes also mentions it. The first and second are when Cutter and Skywise get drunk on Dreamberry wine. Cutters slow sink out of frame and Skywise slowly smiling are beautifully done. But the major example is when Thief tries to steal the lodestone. Not only the way that what could have been two or three panels is stretched out to a full page denoting how time feels like it slows down in a major moment like that, but also the shape of the panels on the page resonating with the swing of a sword.
It also amuses me this time around to realise that while Nonna and Adar are the Richard and Wendy "self inserts" in the story, it's also very clear that Cutter's parents are likewise based on the creators. I feel like I must have noticed that previously, but it definitely leapt out at me this time.
This is also where the story really starts in earnest.
March 6, 2019
This is a great sequel to the first book, expanding the world and creating a larger story. I hadn't expected such a large time jump between the two books, but it works well, introducing a few new characters and allowing the wolfriders to form a deeper bond with their new home, so that the new threat towards it really matters.
It's great to see new locations and characters, and it's nice to see there's more going on than first meets the eye with the various creatures, though there is still plenty of mystery about where things will go with the relationships between the elves and the rest of the world.
The art is growing on me, and I especially love Skywise's design. I think it's the helmet. Though, while this series does censor nudity, sometimes characters are a little too scantily clad for my taste.
My one big complaint about this book are the butterfly people. Their speech bubbles are a little difficult to read. They should have picked a different font.
Overall, though, it was a great sequel to the first, and helps to open up the world for more adventures.
It's great to see new locations and characters, and it's nice to see there's more going on than first meets the eye with the various creatures, though there is still plenty of mystery about where things will go with the relationships between the elves and the rest of the world.
The art is growing on me, and I especially love Skywise's design. I think it's the helmet. Though, while this series does censor nudity, sometimes characters are a little too scantily clad for my taste.
My one big complaint about this book are the butterfly people. Their speech bubbles are a little difficult to read. They should have picked a different font.
Overall, though, it was a great sequel to the first, and helps to open up the world for more adventures.
March 17, 2021
I don't think I could ever fall out of love with ElfQuest. It enchanted me as a teenager, and I still wait impatiently for new stories.
Seven years after the Woldriders came to Sorrow's End, they are settled in. Cutter and Leetah have twins - daughter Ember, who will be the next chief, and her brother Suntop, who has magic potential. However, when humans come too close to their new home, the Wolfriders find themselves troubled. Cutter feels called to find if there are any other elf tribes, and Skywise goes with him on a long adventure. Trolls, humans, illness and grief find them. So do peace, new allies and badly-singing little winged beings.
Meanwhile, Savah's soul is trapped outside her body, and Suntop is called to save her - and keep his father away from an evil someone. Leetah and some of the Wolfriders cross the desert to find him, and have their own troubles - especially when Strongbow hunts a giant bird.
Oh, yes, and there may be other elves in a large blue mountain...
Seven years after the Woldriders came to Sorrow's End, they are settled in. Cutter and Leetah have twins - daughter Ember, who will be the next chief, and her brother Suntop, who has magic potential. However, when humans come too close to their new home, the Wolfriders find themselves troubled. Cutter feels called to find if there are any other elf tribes, and Skywise goes with him on a long adventure. Trolls, humans, illness and grief find them. So do peace, new allies and badly-singing little winged beings.
Meanwhile, Savah's soul is trapped outside her body, and Suntop is called to save her - and keep his father away from an evil someone. Leetah and some of the Wolfriders cross the desert to find him, and have their own troubles - especially when Strongbow hunts a giant bird.
Oh, yes, and there may be other elves in a large blue mountain...
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 7, 2021
I was a fan of the comics which I bought as they came out so I probably bought this collection of issues 6 to 10 (in colour) when it was first published in 1982. I must have read this several times over the years but unfortunately did not record when I read it (or indeed bought it) in my diary.
This starts off many years after the first book ended and by now Cutter and Leetah are the parents of young twins. This is when the quest really starts as Cutter and Skywise set off to see if there are other tribes of elves. They have various adventures with trolls and humans before the book ends.
If you like fantasy and can put up with reading about elves and trolls this is a great read and Wendy Pini's artwork looks great too. I really enjoyed reading this again and I don't think it is just nostalgia.
This starts off many years after the first book ended and by now Cutter and Leetah are the parents of young twins. This is when the quest really starts as Cutter and Skywise set off to see if there are other tribes of elves. They have various adventures with trolls and humans before the book ends.
If you like fantasy and can put up with reading about elves and trolls this is a great read and Wendy Pini's artwork looks great too. I really enjoyed reading this again and I don't think it is just nostalgia.
October 16, 2022
A few years after the previous volume, Cutter and Leeta now have children. Cutter and Skywise set off on a quest to search for more elves. They encounter trolls, learn that not all humans are evil, and meet some other fantastical creatures. Later, after a warning from Savah, the other Wolfriders set out after them and run into troubles of their own.
I'm reading the black-and-white edition and Wendy Pini's art is some of the best black-and-white art out there. And she's able to draw the characters of the different fantastical races with unique faces and yet still be distinguishable, which is amazing.
I'm reading the black-and-white edition and Wendy Pini's art is some of the best black-and-white art out there. And she's able to draw the characters of the different fantastical races with unique faces and yet still be distinguishable, which is amazing.
August 26, 2024
The Cutter and Skywise pairing really makes the worldbuilding impressive. Definitely grabbing my attention a lot more than the love triangle of the last volume, and the build-up for the blue mountain elves is top-notch! Now I'm just hoping for more interesting humans. Maybe a hybrid that's connected to the high ones is in charge of the mountain? :3
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 19, 2021
Pini's worldbuilding is allowed more room to breathe here, and the world is fleshed out from the very simple presentation of the first book. I like the art style, but the actual writing and the plotting leaves something to be desired.
June 28, 2017
Amazing
September 30, 2019
Read this series over and over again as a young teen and absolutely LOVED it, I got completely lost in the universe. Re-reading these was such at trip down memory lane <3
Read
April 10, 2021I had the 1982 edition, also fallng apart.
December 17, 2022
Rereading the first four books in the series and they are still as wonderful as they were 40 (eek) years ago. The artwork and the story stands the test of time.
December 22, 2022
... And this one is even better than the first one. Skywise<3 Redlance <3
May 14, 2024
Reading series for the 20th?? 100th?? time? Read it so many times as a kid. Have read less often in adulthood and it has been maybe 6 to 8 years since I last revisited these. Still lovely
October 7, 2019
[Comics Canon Review]
Part Kewpies, part Conan, and part Exodus, the original run of ElfQuest is an unusual blend of fantasy melodrama, children’s adventure, and ancient epic. This second volume can get a bit too squishy and saccharine for my taste, but I can at least see how and why it has such dedicated readers and why I loved these so much when I was young.
Part Kewpies, part Conan, and part Exodus, the original run of ElfQuest is an unusual blend of fantasy melodrama, children’s adventure, and ancient epic. This second volume can get a bit too squishy and saccharine for my taste, but I can at least see how and why it has such dedicated readers and why I loved these so much when I was young.
September 25, 2024
This volume had a lot more world-building and led to it being a much stronger read.
November 3, 2013
This is the second of the bound volumes of Elfquest. It picks up several years down the road with Leetah and Cutter’s twins, the very much wolfrider girl, Ember, and her magic-possessing, intellectual brother, Suntop. After centuries of peaceful living in the desert, the elves’ calm is ruined by humans finding Sorrow’s End. While they are turned away by Cutter and company, they also give the elves something to think about: there could be more human tribes and elfish ones as well out there.
Cutter and Skywise go in search of them. Leetah stays home, not wanting to deprive her village of her magic. The friends first go back to the Trolls and learn of other troll tribes and the damage they’ve done. The holt is still nothing but burnt out emptiness (showing a lack of research. By five years there would be some recovery but okay whatever).
As they travel on, Cutter gets a septic squirrel bite and while Skywise is off looking for herbal medicine, an outcast human woman and her husband take care of him. Much to Cutter and Skywise’s utter shock, the humans are kindly and she is from a tribe who worshiped bird riding elves, the ‘bird spirits,’ while her husband’s people did not and they cast them out because of her. Skywise is far more wary but Cutter is willing to let his prejudice go and helps her and her husband go back to his people because he wants to know more about the bird spirits. He’s been traveling almost four months and this is the best lead he’s had.
In the meantime, Savah has astral projected herself right into danger and can’t get back to her body. She does get a message to Suntop and he needs to get it to his father. Leetah and the Wolfriders go in search of Cutter. This is where you just take the leap of faith that Leetah catches right up to them. It’s like was Cutter going in circles? Also this reminded me of why I disliked Strongbow and Moonshade. He’s a jerk and she’s got no personality outside of him.
Unfortunately for Cutter, his people were taken prisoner by big birds and to Suntop’s horror his father is going right to the place that Savah sent him to stop Cutter from going to in the first place. It’s a vicious circle.
I still enjoy it even after all these years (I first read this nearly 30 years ago). The art is just beautiful. The storyline is good. I see things now that I was too young to see them, like how prejudice and xenophobia destroy everything and everyone around them. I would have gotten very bored with EQ even back then if it was always ‘oooo, evil humans.’ (in fact I dropped out of many a holt back in the day since that’s the only story lines the editors would approve). The one negative is the inclusion of the original color covers. They are extremely poorly done. They look like they were copied on 80’s copier and shoved in.
Cutter and Skywise go in search of them. Leetah stays home, not wanting to deprive her village of her magic. The friends first go back to the Trolls and learn of other troll tribes and the damage they’ve done. The holt is still nothing but burnt out emptiness (showing a lack of research. By five years there would be some recovery but okay whatever).
As they travel on, Cutter gets a septic squirrel bite and while Skywise is off looking for herbal medicine, an outcast human woman and her husband take care of him. Much to Cutter and Skywise’s utter shock, the humans are kindly and she is from a tribe who worshiped bird riding elves, the ‘bird spirits,’ while her husband’s people did not and they cast them out because of her. Skywise is far more wary but Cutter is willing to let his prejudice go and helps her and her husband go back to his people because he wants to know more about the bird spirits. He’s been traveling almost four months and this is the best lead he’s had.
In the meantime, Savah has astral projected herself right into danger and can’t get back to her body. She does get a message to Suntop and he needs to get it to his father. Leetah and the Wolfriders go in search of Cutter. This is where you just take the leap of faith that Leetah catches right up to them. It’s like was Cutter going in circles? Also this reminded me of why I disliked Strongbow and Moonshade. He’s a jerk and she’s got no personality outside of him.
Unfortunately for Cutter, his people were taken prisoner by big birds and to Suntop’s horror his father is going right to the place that Savah sent him to stop Cutter from going to in the first place. It’s a vicious circle.
I still enjoy it even after all these years (I first read this nearly 30 years ago). The art is just beautiful. The storyline is good. I see things now that I was too young to see them, like how prejudice and xenophobia destroy everything and everyone around them. I would have gotten very bored with EQ even back then if it was always ‘oooo, evil humans.’ (in fact I dropped out of many a holt back in the day since that’s the only story lines the editors would approve). The one negative is the inclusion of the original color covers. They are extremely poorly done. They look like they were copied on 80’s copier and shoved in.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 20, 2014
Book two feels very different from book one. Book one was a standalone adventure, book two raises lots of interesting plot points that are going to slowly unspool over the next few volumes. Cutter and Skywise embark on a journey, hoping to find a place of safety and to discover more elf-tribes that have survived the scourge of humans. But the Wolfriders have mixed feelings about Cutter's quest: after five years of living with the Sun Folk and adopting their ways, the tribe is no longer the solid unit it was in book one. And that human scourge isn't what it used to be, either: Cutter quickly learns that while some humans are still dangerous, some, like his newfound allies Nonna and Adar, are unexpectedly intelligent, gifted, and kind.
Overall, book two complicates and deepens the Elfquest universe: the trolls, the humans, and even the elves turn out to be much more varied than we understood before, and there are several hints of further secrets and new enemies waiting to be revealed.
Overall, book two complicates and deepens the Elfquest universe: the trolls, the humans, and even the elves turn out to be much more varied than we understood before, and there are several hints of further secrets and new enemies waiting to be revealed.
August 27, 2014
So, our heroes have settled into their new life at Sorrows End. For the details of this, I suggest reading Fire and Flight. Cutter is pulled out of the safe world of Sorrow's End into a quest to find out more about the elves and their heritage. Skywise, his star gazing friend and lover comes with him. They encounter trolls, humans and face death and near loss, and are glad the rest of the tribe is safe in Sorrow's End.
In the meantime, Leetah gets drawn into the journey against her will. She is scared out of her mind of the outside world and all of its unknown dangers but she bravely faces it for Cutter's sake.
Read as lives are turned upside down, bought right side up and changed forever in another chapter of the Elfquest saga.
Seriously. Just read it! You'll probably like it if you dig anime.
In the meantime, Leetah gets drawn into the journey against her will. She is scared out of her mind of the outside world and all of its unknown dangers but she bravely faces it for Cutter's sake.
Read as lives are turned upside down, bought right side up and changed forever in another chapter of the Elfquest saga.
Seriously. Just read it! You'll probably like it if you dig anime.
August 26, 2016
Its been 7 years since the adventures in the first book, the wolfriders have integrated with the sun tribe in their own grudging manner. New characters are introduces and weaved in the story effortless and our protagonist cutter is ready for his next adventure. The new trials he and his group face are wider in scope with multiple plots, major ones are spilled over to the next book. Our elves are just starting to discover the world & its many dangers and the author is doing an amazing job of world building. All the story arcs & plot felt right, didn’t feel like there were any page wasted on unnecessary fillers.
The art has improved quite a bit since the last volume, the characters are sharper, the colouring gorgeously done.
The art has improved quite a bit since the last volume, the characters are sharper, the colouring gorgeously done.
July 24, 2018
If you’re only going to read one ElfQuest book—Why? You can read all free online!—I highly recommend this one. We see how the characters love and lose with bond-animals, families, friends, significant others—even those with whom they often disagree. (This book is also nearly a self-contained story.)
We also see how, “Fantasy is reality with different clothes on,” as Richard Pini, the editor (and voice behind the character Skywise), told me in a 1990 interview for my expository writing class; though, that fact isn’t nearly as apparent in this book as it was in the others. I could very well have missed some metaphors in this book because I was too busy soaking up the ample character development!
Oh, gee. I guess I’m going to have to read the entire series again. Darn! ;)
We also see how, “Fantasy is reality with different clothes on,” as Richard Pini, the editor (and voice behind the character Skywise), told me in a 1990 interview for my expository writing class; though, that fact isn’t nearly as apparent in this book as it was in the others. I could very well have missed some metaphors in this book because I was too busy soaking up the ample character development!
Oh, gee. I guess I’m going to have to read the entire series again. Darn! ;)
March 6, 2011
Rereading Elfquest is not something I'd expected to be doing this year, but the lucky happenstance of opening a box packed for a move three years ago and finding the original graphic novels should not be overlooked ...
The Wolfriders' saga continues as Cutter begins his quest to find other tribes of elves that have survived since the High Ones fall into the world of Two Moons.
I spent a lot of time with this series, drawing elves, playing the Roleplaying game, reading the novels ... find the books has been a joy re-immersion into the lives of Cutter, Leetah, Skywise, Suntop, Ember, and the others.
The Wolfriders' saga continues as Cutter begins his quest to find other tribes of elves that have survived since the High Ones fall into the world of Two Moons.
I spent a lot of time with this series, drawing elves, playing the Roleplaying game, reading the novels ... find the books has been a joy re-immersion into the lives of Cutter, Leetah, Skywise, Suntop, Ember, and the others.
November 14, 2010
My dad randomly picked this up from the Goodwill pay by pounds bin for most likely $4! As a kid these were the types of elves I always imagined an elf should be. Years later I found more books at Powells selling for around $70!! Mines in great condition but I will never sell it, as the pictures are beautiful and the story extremely engaging. I have never finished the entire story, but am dying to as it drops off at a suspenceful moment.
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