I found this second book to be one of the best science fiction / fantasy novels ever written. Robert Stanek develops his characters so well. I enjoyed every moment that I spent reading. I did not want to do anything else but read this book. I thought the previous book was one of the best I had ever read until I read this. This is the BEST! Keep reading!

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It is beautifuly written and puts you in the scene. I truly felt for these fictional characters. Their stories became like my own. It is fantasy but seemed so real. I was rooting for them all, and the ending is very satisfying.

The characters come alive! The authors heroes are heroic and the villains are just starting to be revealed for what they are. The political intrigue mixed in with already great plots makes this excellent reading and adds depth to already great story. Like I said before if you like to get so wrapped up in a book that you can't wait to get back to read some more, this is the one for you. Every time you think you've figured out what's next, things change. I love it!

My husband and I bought this book as a Christmas present for our 7 year old son. The night after Christmas, my husband started reading it to our son. In the five months since then, my husband and I have read this book all the way through four times! My son lays entranced in his bed each and every time with his eyes going wide as Ray confronts Old Bull, holding his breath while Ray clashes with Mother Slither as if we hadn't read this very book 3 times previously. Even more remarkable, my husband and I enjoyed it just as much - and admit to reading ahead in the book after sending our son to bed. This is an excellent book to begin sharing the wonder of reading with your children. You will enjoy reading the story as much as they will enjoy hearing it!

Couldn't put this book down. I read the entire thing in 2 days. I felt like I knew the characters by the time I was finished. I didn't want to let them go. Mr. Stanek is a great author.

yeah that's right...better than harry potter. i nevr ever liked harry...okay maybe a little but this is funner by lots

I absolutely loved any part with Vilmos and Emel. The battles are AWESOME! I like Adrina, but I'm a bit frustrated with her. And I am intrigued by Xith, the Watcher. He is so fascinating but in truth, I'm not sure whether to like him or not. He is definitely clever and manipulative. A master of intrigue. But the character I'm cheering for is Myrial. I want to read more about her story.

For those of you you haven't read any of Robert Stanek's work before, STOP NOW! Get a hold of his previous two books in the series, Keeper Martin's Tale, and Elf Queen's Quest. Read them in that order before settling down with Kingdom Alliance...and enjoy!!

Kingdom Alliance continues plot and character developments from the previous novels and not being aware of these points will certainly reduce the reader's enjoyment of Stanek's newest fantasy.

Commited fans of the series will be aware that this novel does for Myrial what Elf Queen's Quest did for Midori - namely provide us with more of her background: her childhood, her life story. After reading this you'll be a big fan of Myrial I'm sure. We get to witness the events that really mould her and make her into the character that she is. Add her to an already great cast, which includes Adrina, Seth, Emel, Vilmos, Valam and Xith, and you know why this series is so great.

The story kicks off several weeks after Keeper Martin's Tale. The ever likeable Emel is making his way back to Imtal, Adrina is off, Vilmos reaches the Mouth of the World. All points in the story that make for facinating reading when we see Emel doubting his abilities and learning something about his deepest, darkest self. Matters are further complicated when the kingdomers come under attack and those they are protecting are gravely wounded.

After a friend told me this is one of the best books he'd ever read I had high hopes and fortunatelly, it holds true. I have read many other fantasy books/series from many different authors, but none have yet to touch me like Robert Stanek has. There's truely something special about the world he has richly created, and something truely original with the way in which he feeds different information and details to us throughout the book.

I gave this to my wife who is completely new to the Net. She loved it! The book did what I couldn't do in 2 1/2 years of marriage. After a few days she was using the net and web like a pro. The in a weekend concept is strong. It tells you that you'll be able to learn it quick. This is true. I'm not sure a complete newcomer could learn all this in a weekend. My wife took her time, reading about 2 chapters a day. With the results I saw I think this should be a textbook used by every Internet 101 class.

It was a toss up between Internet for Dummies and Learn the Internet in a Weekend. Learn the Internet In a Weekend won! It is a much better book and certainly more fun and enjoyable. I'll never read another dummies book again. Something I never thought I'd be able to say but this book has everything you need and the style is simply wonderful. I'm a convert in a BIG way.

Stanek's style is unique! If you've never read his books and are just getting started this is a great place to start. Like a previous reviewer I actually bought this book for someone else and ended up reading it! So much has changed since I started using the Internet. I was amazed at how much. Reading the book was very rewarding. I ended up buying another copy to give to my niece who I had intended to give the book to in the first place. I really recommend this to anyone who uses the Internet and wants to catch up and those who are new and want to get onto the Internet. I think this would be a great textbook for Internet classes too! The book is certainly a lot of fun. Now thats not something you can say about most other computer books.

I loved this book and found it to be extremely useful...If you use FrontPage 97, get the 2nd edition of this book called FrontPage 97 Unleashed, which is also written by William Stanek

No other FrontPage book compares. Clearly Stanek knows everything there is to know about Web publishing and design with FrontPage AND he's not afraid to share it with the world.

Great examples!

Great insights!

Great organization!

Sams marketing team is asleep at the wheel on this one. This book should be packaged with the FrontPage software and there should be in store promotions everywhere! William, find a new publisher. Sams is doing you a disservice.

Microsoft's FrontPage 1.1 is great, but I NEVER would have learned how to get the most out of the software without this book. If you use FrontPage 1.1, I highly recommend this book. If you use FrontPage 97, get the second edition. Either way you won't be disappointed. This book answered every question I had and opened a whole new world of possibilities. William, your book truly made the difference

This addition to the kingdoms and elves series is my absolute favorite. A must read. I have read this book 3 times and it just gets better and better. I have read all the other Kingdoms and Elves books several times over too! I'm 12 years old and kingdoms and elves is the best book series I have ever come across. Robert Stanek is the best author, only he can write a book like this. When you start reading you are swept away into the world of ruin mist. I can't not wait until book 4 is released. I thin that this book deserves more than 5 stars it deserves infinity stars Kingdoms and elves is a great new series that will be around and remembered for years to come.

I give this book 5 stars straight up. In my opinion the best one of the first three books. It has a really crazy twist in the end and if your thinking about getting this book and not sure trust me get it and if you don't like it then u must have no imagination. The whole Kingdoms & Elves series certainly hooks you from book one. I have read each book 4 times and I can never get enough! I love how we are introduced to new characters, very interesting! I love how Adrina remembers her past and gets over it. Kudos Robert Stanek!

This third book in the awesome Kingdoms and Elves series is so far my favorite, and Stanek has up to book #4 out right now. I LOVED it and it is tied at #1 with Harry Potter in my ranking of all time favorite books. Stanek has opened a window into a wonderful new world. He manages wonderfully many plots and subplots, many of which come together at the end and a few which carry to the next books. Mystery, intrigue, action, and leaving you wanting more in the epic lives of Adrina, Seth, Vilmos, Galan, Myrial, and Emel. I very strongly recomend this book to anyone in the age range of about 9 to 21! Teens will love it just as much, if not, even more than kids. Every one should read this very great book!

I read 'The Kingdoms and the Elves' by Robert Stanek. A young boy named Vilmos finds out later in life that he has special powers. He also finds out about his dark past. Then he realizes he is in grave danger and must flee his home. Vilmos isn't alone something is happening to Adrina too in Great Kingdom. Then the elves Galan and Seth have to leave their home too. Something strange is happening. Xith isn't even sure if Vilmos will make it, and Xith is a powerful wizard. Vilmos isn't even sure what to do, he doesn't even know for sure what he will do to escape. I rate this book five stars because this book included a lot of detail in every chapter. Also, once you start reading you can't stop.

I read reviews that call this the Star Wars of fantasy. I say NOT so. This is STAR WARS WITH ELVES and this book proves it. it is the most awesome action packed book I've read EVER. I got the book 1 and book 2 for my birth day. Stanek has created a world where fantastic creatures are everywhere and theirs a lot to hold your attention. I cared about the characters right from the start. I highly suggest this book and I can't wait to get the next book!

In all the time I've spent reading different fantasy novels (from Dragonlance to Harry Potter to Artemis Fowl to Terry Brooks) I've never read anything quite like this finely written novel by Robert Stanek. It has everything I could ever ask for. You find outstanding characters, friendships, plot twists, action, magic, strange beasts, and even some funny parts. I found the story addicting almost. After this one, I immediatly ripped into the third book to see what happened.

Don't expect to learn Windows 2000 by reading this book cover to cover. It's not really designed for that. It is better used as a reference guide for commonly performed system tasks. In that regard, it serves its purpose quite nicely providing solid organization and simple advice.

This book serves a definite purpose. It's designed to be the book on the shelf that you use when the inevitable "How Do I Do This?" question pops up. It fulfill this purpose well. What this book is not designed for is to fully explain the features of Windows 2000 and Active Directory. There are other titles that do a much better job of that.

When and if you find yourself wondering "how do i do that again?" or "how does that work?" you will need this book. Its small enough to place on your desk and big enough to contain all the information about Windows 2000 as it relates to an administrator.

This book never comes up short in the help department. You cant remember it all and you dont need an 900 page book to remind you. Pick this up and keep it handy. You wont be let down when you need it most.

This book is indeed one of the best Windows 2000 references (IMHO, the best). While it does not really fit in a regular pocket and does not teach you how to start working with win2k, it comes in extremely handy when you need to know how to get work done as a win2k administrator. So far I have not found a single error in the book.

I think the coverage is very complete, but given the comlexity of win2k, some areas are bound to be left out. Suffice it to say that this book looks like it has everything I need to do my job. If you work as a win2k administrator, definitely get this volume.

This book is an excellent installment to what is a true masterpiece of a series - though slightly predictable at times the odd unexpected twist keeps the reader on their toes! It is one of the best books I have ever read. I cried, laughed, rejoiced. I felt scared, mad, happy. Its like you are really there and the book is very realistic and well written!

Adventure...Excitement...Fun...Surprises. If you like any or all of these things then you should read this book. I think it is the best of the whole entir series. Robert Stanek is very talented. You'll wonder what is happening to poor Vilmos. How Adrina will survived the the plots of enemies. You'll come to love Myrial for her bravey and friendship. I reccomend this book because if you don't read it you'll be missing a lot.

Like the others in the series, I loved the book! I could not put it down! Wonderful novel that plays on the imagination and draws you into the characters. Reminds us what true friendship and loyalty are and what it is to follow your heart. I cant wait to see what else Robert Stanek can bring to us. Definitly worth your time!

While it may not actually fit in your pocket, what this book does very well in put information in bite-size chunks. It is short and too the point, instead of the usual 20 pages of fluff that one has to read through to find the info they need. This is book is a definite must.

This Windows NT Server 4.0 Administrators Pocket Consultant has been a constant companion and has never let me down. For beginners and intermediate LAN Administrators, this book covers 4 main areas: LAN Administration Fundamentals, User Administration, Data Administration and Network Administration. In the era of Windows 2000 Server and XP, this book seems a little anachronistic, outdated and obsolete – its not.

With the wide user base of both Windows NT 4.0 Server and Workstation, it is a most valuable resource. Aimed at high-level users, this book will not be your guide to Kernel and file level troubleshooting – it is not an MCSE reviewer. It will give you a broad overview of networking and will deal extensively with users and resources. I give it five stars for its logical progression. After dealing with why you even need a network, the Pocket Consultant focuses on User Administration and the relation to the Data/Resources. NT is robust not because it crashes less but “sharing” is a really easy method to get users to what they need and fast.

Depending on the configuration of you shop – if you have a high turnover, the printing and network optimization comes in handy. If you have a fairly static staff, the user administration is helpful for user management – as individuals and as ‘groups’. I found the information on Chapter 10 – sharing files, directories and drives – helpful to understand the key differences between the two. Moreover, there was a few key things that I felt this book missed – the power of the Administrator to manage user machines as the Administrator of the Workstation. Within this framework lies the power of the NT network – a much missed topic in this book. Notwithstanding, I still give handbook a true five stars.

This is a great book with all the essential information for day-to-day NT administration. Its compact size and its cover are simply fantastic. As a result of this book, I am picking up other "Administrator's Pocket Consultant" books for SQL7 and Exchange 5.5 . Does anyone know when the IIS4 Administrator's Pocket Consultant is coming out ..if ever?