I first didn't think I'd like this book due to its serious tone, but the story and characters grew on me. Granted, the book itself has some formatting problems such as characters talking within the same paragraph and some paragraph breaks that didn't belong, but this is otherwise a solid read for readers who want a LOTR-like story with a simple plot and endearing characters. Just don't expect much levity. ( )

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?



I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I liked that it had a mildly complex vocabulary and that the action in the story started straight away. The plot moved along at a steady pace and never seemed to drag, in my opinion. It is a fantasy book, so it is a bit long, which I found to my liking.



The book switched perspectives at time throughout the book, which helps give you insight into the backstories of many of the characters. I liked this aspect, as it gave the opportunity to get to know the characters on a deeper level, thus making them more relatable. I found aspects of several characters that I could relate to, making the book more enjoyable. For example, I could relate to Gaelen’s stubbornness and the fact that, although she acts tough, she does have a soft side.



I would definitely recommend this book to any high school student or adult who enjoys fantasy novels, as well as middle schoolers with a higher reading level. Being a teenager myself, I feel that it is a fantastic book for teens or adults to get into, provided they don’t mind the length.



( )

Elfhunter, Marks writes in the acknowledgments, is inspired by Tolkein. Her book's world- building is similar, but this is a book set firmly in the world of elves. Of the primary four protagonists, three of them are elves. But in this novel a lot of time and care is spent on the different types of elves. Gaelen and Nelwyn, the first two we meet and the ones we get to know best, are female Wood-elves, who are very capable hunter/ scouts . That's an aspect of Elfhunter I liked very much. That they are female is not remarkable in the novel itself, to me, these were exemplary characters.

Also special is the attention paid to the villain. He is evil, a serial killer, bent on killing all elves. While I never felt sorry for him, he is made understandable, even somewhat tragic by this talented author.

This is a very dense book, written with care and it should be read that way as well. This isn't a light fantasy to consume in a day, it's a thoughtful and complex novel. It's also a quite rewarding book. I recommend it highly. ( )

This tale of Alterra, the World That Is, is truly captivating! The eloquence with which C.S. Marks writes is extraordinary. Her works have been compared to Tolkien, and rightly so. Her writing style is similar to his, but her story is all her own. Her characters are so well done that you can’t help but feel as if you know them. You feel their pains, revel in their joys and share the burden of their sadness. Their journeys, both physical and emotional, are so enthralling. It is very hard to put the book down! Highly recommended and a must read! ( )