The most fascinating fantasy books about elves

2024 Author: Leah Sherlock | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 05:25

In this article we will present to your attention the best books about elves. The fantasy genre is loved by readers not only for adventure stories and exotic scenery, but also for unusual characters that are sometimes very different from people. Dwarves, orcs, hobbits and many other representatives of magical races have their fans and fans. But elves are the most popular. We will talk about books dedicated to these extraordinary creatures.

The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit

It is necessary to list books about elves starting with the most famous fantasy novel - The Lord of the Rings. It was J. Tolkien who created the elves the way we used to see them on screens and book pages.

This epic novel was written back in 1955. Despite the fact that the elf is only one of the main characters, the reader can form an idea of the wise ancient and beautiful people with an extraordinary culture and history. However, more details about the morals and negative aspects of this ex alted race can be found in The Hobbit - an episode of the capture of the main characters by one ofelven rulers.

One way or another, but Tolkien is the creator of the canonical image of the elven race, so those who have not yet read the works of the writer should definitely get acquainted with them.

Shannara

Terry Brooks's elf books are combined into a single series, which includes a total of 14 novels divided into 5 cycles.

The name of the series was the name of the elven royal family, the founder of which was Jerla Shannara. Each of the cycles tells about the adventures of a new generation of royal descendants.

The first trilogy, written by Brooks, includes books: "The Sword of Shannara" (1977) - the main character is the last descendant of the Shea Omsword family, who goes in search of the Sword of Shannara; "The Elfstones of Shannara" (1982) - the novel tells about Wil Omsword, the grandson of Shi, who has to stop the invasion of demons; "The Liver of Shannara" (1985) - tells the story of the children of Vile, who go in search of the dark book of Idalch.

Salvatore Robert: all dark elf books

It's no exaggeration to say that one of the most famous fantasy heroes is the dark elf (drow) Drizzt Do Urden. To date, the cycle includes 33 books and 34 are being prepared for publication. In addition to novels, the cycle includes a number of stories dedicated to the friends and companions of the protagonist.

Books about the dark elves and Drizzt are divided into several cycles: Dark Elf, Icewind Dale, Drow Legacy, Dark Paths,Blades of the Hunter, Evolution, Neverwinter, Shattered, Companion's Codex, Homecoming.

Initially, Salvatore did not plan to make the main character of the barbarian Wulfgar. And Drizzt appeared only at the insistence of the editor, and then as a companion of the main character. However, soon the author himself was so subdued by the hero he created that he decided to write about his youth among his brothers. This is how the Dark Elf trilogy appeared, with which, strictly speaking, the whole cycle began.

Elven Chronicles

Books about elves usually draw before readers images of beautiful pointy-eared warriors and wizards. Jean-Louis Fetzhen's book is one of those.

Evil has come to the kingdom of the elves. The wolves come out every night and roam the plains and forests. Rumor has it that these are the messengers of the evil ruler of the Black Lands, whose name makes all elves tremble. The army of evil is gaining strength, threatening the enslavement of all free peoples. It becomes clear to everyone that war cannot be avoided. And in order to repulse the army of evil, elves, humans and dwarves need to unite, overcoming the ancient enmity. However, this requires a hero whom all peoples will listen to. Who will be it?

Ring of Darkness

Books about elves were also written and written not only by foreign authors, but also by our compatriots. Such, for example, is the cycle by Nick Perumov, which describes the events of the Fourth Age (300 years after the Battle of the Ring) of Middle-earth (the world created by J. Tolkien).

The cycle includes 3 novels: Elven Blade, Black Spear,"Adamant Henna". The first two books are united by a single plot, while action 3 tells about the events that took place 10 years after the one described in the previous parts.

As in the original Tolkien books, the main character of the series is a hobbit named Falco Brandyback, who is a descendant of Meriadoc Brandybuck, known to readers of The Lord of the Ring.

The cycle is evaluated by critics ambiguously. So, the artistic part is positively noted, and negatively - the use of the world of Middle-earth, created by another author. Nevertheless, the books have been translated into a number of European languages and received good reviews abroad.

Cursed Armor

Another book about elves, dwarves and humans written by Mikhail Yezhov. However, in addition to the canonical fantasy races, you can meet vampires and drow here.

The main character is the dark elf Senegard, a hired killer nicknamed Shadow of the Hornet, having fulfilled another contract, decides to break with his past. The reason for this is the ancient legend of the elves about Cursed Armor, which was made by a famous magician, and is able to protect its owner from any weapon. Considering that elves do not die of old age and disease, Cursed Armor can give its owner a chance at immortality. Senegard decides to go in search of the artifact. The only thing he knows about the Cursed Armor is that it is hidden in the mountains to the northeast of Ami-Zishgun, which are considered impassable. Despite the difficulties, the dark elf sets off on a journey together with the magician Ormanar, the warrior Hemila and Rinia,former slave of the temple.

Elf Sword

Another fantasy series about elves. The books of the Bernhard Hennen cycle are distinguished by a good study of the world, rather ambiguous characters and a well-thought-out plot. Readers note that one can believe in the universe created by the author, it is so realistic and well written.

In total, the cycle includes 3 novels: "Sword of the Elves", "Knight of the Others" and "Heir to the Throne". The plot of the trilogy describes the times when certain knights invaded a world where harmony and peace reigned, and elves, people, dwarves and other magical creatures lived in peace, who decided to convert people to their faith. The invaders began to burn villages and take people prisoner. Then the elves came to their aid and began to teach them their magic.

The books in the cycle were nominated for the German Science Fiction Prize in 2007 and 2008.

The Witcher

The Witcher cycle by Andrzej Sapkowski depicts completely different elves. These are no longer wise, kind and forgiving creatures. On the contrary, they are bloodthirsty killers who have lost their culture, dying out due to the invasion of people into their lives. These creatures are full of hatred and impatience for other races, they are driven only by a thirst for revenge. For a person to be captured by them is worse than dying.

In total, the cycle includes 8 novels and several stories, which take place in the same universe, but their heroes are other characters. Keeping the scenery of the usual epic fantasy, the author draws a cruel, ruthless and cynicalreality. In this world there is no division into black and white, all heroes are ambiguous, each of them has his own motives, and they are not always selfish.

The cycle was awarded a number of awards, filmed, and computer games were created based on it.

Books about elves and love

"Ulgreim University" by Anastasia Levkovskaya includes two novels "The Necromancer's Face" and "The Problem for the Technomage". The main character dreams of becoming a techno-mage and goes to the capital's Commonwe alth University. However, soon all her dreams and desire to learn recede into the background. She falls into a tangled web of intrigue, which seemed to her just a series of minor coincidences. And in order to find out the solution to the secrets that have entangled her, the girl will have to go to the mysterious continent of necromancers, where the most ancient secrets of people and gods are kept.

The book "His Majesty's Psychotherapist" by Anna Yanovskaya is also interesting. The main character accidentally enters a parallel world, and in order to return, she must fulfill a very unusual contract. According to this document, she should help a certain person, but who exactly is not specified. And now Asya takes on the duties of a magical psychologist. Making friends and making enemies, she must find someone who needs her help.

"Elvish for Beginners" by Natalia Muzyrkevich is a fascinating book for easy reading. The main character of the novel goes to her historical homeland to her parents. The girl thoroughly prepared, in addition to moving, she was waiting for admission to the University of Leskant. But overnight all of herplans collapsed. And it's all the fault of one pointy-eared fool, in whose company she now has to learn not invention, but elven culture.

“Firstborn” by Justina South - if you are interested in books about an elf girl, then this novel is for you. It tells about the daughter of the elven people, the Firstborn, who, in difficult times, has to turn to the former mercenary and dark magician Phineas Yurato for help. The heroes will set off on a journey where they will have to face the servants of Chaos and avoid certain death. The book was written as part of the Nick Perumov. Worlds”, that is, its events take place in the world invented by Perumov.