In this article we will present to your attention the best books about elves. The genre of fantasy is loved by readers not only for adventure stories and exotic scenery, but also for unusual characters, which are sometimes very different from people. Dwarves, orcs, hobbits and many other representatives of the magical races have their fans and fans. But the most popular are the elves. We will talk about books devoted 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 add up to the idea of a wise ancient and beautiful people with an extraordinary culture and history. However, in more detail about the mores and negative aspects of this exalted race can be found in "The Hobbit" - an episode of the capture of the main characters by one of the elven rulers.
One way or another, but Tolkien is the creator of the canonical image of the elven race, so those who have not read the writer's works should definitely get to know them.
Shannara
Terry Brooks 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 Shi Omsward family, who goes in search of the Sword of Shannara; “Elven Stones of Shannara” (1982) - the novel tells of Wil Omsworth, the grandson of Shea, who is to stop the invasion of demons; “The Liver of Shannara” (1985) - tells of the children of Vila who set off in search of the dark book of Hidalch.
Salvatore Robert: all books about the dark elf
It is 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 is 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”, “Valley of the Ice Wind”, “Legacy of the Drow”, “Dark Trails”, “Blades of the Hunter”, “Evolution”, “Neverwinter”, “Split”, “ Companion Code, 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. So the trilogy “Dark Elf” appeared, with which, strictly speaking, the whole cycle began.
Elven Chronicles
Books about elves usually draw in front of readers images of beautiful witty warriors and wizards. The book of Fetgen Jean-Louis is one of those.
Evil has come to the kingdom of elves. Wolves come out every night and roam the plains and forests. Rumor has it that these are the messengers of the evil lord of the Black Lands, whose name makes all elves awe. The evil army is gaining power, threatening enslavement to all free peoples. It becomes clear to everyone that war cannot be avoided. And in order to repulse the army of evil, the elves, people and gnomes need to unite, overcoming the ancient enmity. However, this requires the hero whom all nations listen to. Who will it be?
"Ring of Darkness"
Books about elves have also been written and are written not only by foreign authors, but also by our compatriots. Such, for example, is the cycle of Nick Perumov, which describes the events of the Fourth era (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 of Henna." The first two books are united by a single plot, while action 3 tells about the events that occurred 10 years after described in the previous parts.
As in Tolkien’s original books, the protagonist of the series was a hobbit named Folko Brandyback, who is a descendant of Meriadok Brandyback, a well-known reader of The Lord of the Ring.
The cycle is evaluated ambiguously by critics. So, the artistic part is positively noted, and negatively - the use of the Middle-earth world, created by another author. Nevertheless, the books were translated into several European languages and received good reviews abroad.
Cursed Armor
Another book about elves, gnomes and people, written by Mikhail Yezhov. However, in addition to the canonical races for fantasy, here you can meet vampires and drow.
The protagonist is the dark elf Senegard, a hired killer nicknamed Shadow of the Hornet, having executed another contract, decides to break with his past. The reason for this is the ancient legend of the elves about the Cursed Armor, which were made by the famous magician, and are able to protect its owner from all weapons. Given that elves do not die of old age and disease, the Cursed Armor can give its owner a chance of immortality. Senegard decides to go in search of an artifact. The only thing he knows about the Cursed Armor is that they are hidden in the mountains in the northeast of Ami Zishgun, which are considered impassable. Despite the difficulties, the dark elf sets off on a journey with the magician Ormanar, warrior Hemila and Rinia, a former slave to the temple.
"Elven 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 thoughtful plot. Readers note that the universe created by the author can be believed, it is so realistic and well written.
In total, the cycle includes 3 novels: “Elven Sword”, “Knight from the Family of Others” and “Heir to the Throne”. The plot of the trilogy describes the times when some knights invaded the world where harmony and peace reigned, and elves, people, gnomes and other magical creatures lived in the world, who decided to convert people to their faith. The invaders began to burn villages and capture people. Then the elves came to their aid and began to teach them their magic.
The books of the series were nominated for the German Fantasy Award in 2007 and 2008.
The Witcher
The cycle of the witcher Angers Sapkowski portrays perfectly the other elves. These are no longer wise kind and all-forgiving creatures. On the contrary, these are bloodthirsty killers who have lost their culture, are dying due to the invasion of people in their lives. These creatures are full of hatred and impatience to other races, they are driven only by a thirst for revenge. For a man to get captive to them is worse than dying.
In total, the cycle includes 8 novels and several stories, the actions of which occur in the same universe, but their characters are other characters. Keeping the scenery of the usual epic fantasy, the author draws a cruel, ruthless and cynical reality. In this world there is no division into black and white, all heroes are ambiguous, each of them has its 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
“Ulgrame University” by Anastasia Levkovskaya includes two novels, “The Face of the Necromancer” and “The Problem for the Technomage”. The main character dreams of becoming a technomage and goes to the capital's University of the Commonwealth. However, soon all her dreams and desire to study 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 clue of the secrets that entangled her, the girl has to go to the mysterious mainland of the Necromancers, where the most ancient secrets of people and gods are kept.
An interesting book is “The Psychotherapist of His Majesty” by Anna Yanovskaya. The main character accidentally falls into a parallel world, and in order to return, she needs to fulfill a very unusual contract. According to this document, it should help a certain person, but to whom it is not specified. And Asya takes on the duties of a magical psychologist. Finding friends and finding enemies, she must find the one who needs her help.
"Elven for Beginners" by Natalya 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 Leskant University. But all of a sudden her plans collapsed. And all the blame is one witty idiot who, in the company of which she now has to learn, not invention, but the elven culture.
Justborn South's “Firstborn” - if you are interested in books about an elf girl, then this novel is for you. He talks about the daughter of an elven people, the Firstborn, who in difficult times has to turn to the former mercenary and dark magician Phineas Jurato for help. Heroes go on a journey where they have to face the servants of Chaos and avoid imminent death. The book was written as part of the project “Nick Perumov. Worlds ”, that is, her events take place in a world invented by Perumov.