N.D. Hansen-Hill Reviews

Added January 16, 2004

The Elf Chronicles Book 2: Trolls

Author: N.D. Hansen-Hill
Publisher: FictionWise
Available At: www.fictionwise.com
Publishing Date: Available Now
Genre: Fantasy
Format: Ebook download in PDF/HTML
Price: $6.99
Author Email/Website:www.angelfire.com/art/ndhhbooks
Reviewer: Sharyn McGinty

Gifted with the ability to open gateways into another world, Zeb never went into the caves without his friends. Today would be the day he went in without waiting for backup and it would forever change his destiny. Followed by a member of the ISEA, Zeb didn't care, the gate was calling to him and when it called he had no control. The gate would open and creatures from another world would slip through. Sometimes the creatures were harmless, like the Nunus, little-gnome like creatures; then there were the dangerous ones like the werewolves, or Mahr, giant moths who were more like vampires than an insect.

Luke Hamilton knew Zeb and his partner Randy were hiding something. His training had prepared him for everything, except this. He had to act before that giant moth killed Zeb, but how? Well, this wasn't the first time he'd had to tackle a killer, but it was the first time he'd ever been bitten by a giant moth. Dangerously wounded, he only recalled bits and pieces of what happened next. Just enough to realize there was something really odd about Zeb and his friends.

Placed in the hospital with serious injuries, Luke is on the mend when he realizes he's not the same. He can see people coming even through the walls; he can read their emotions and sense their physical condition. As he tries to absorb this new development, he realizes somehow Zeb is the cause and hates him and his friends for it. But can he really afford to hate the only people who understand exactly what he's going through?

Badly injured by the Mahr, Zeb is also placed in the hospital and placed on an antibiotic. The only problem is the antibiotic causes Zeb to open portals and all sorts of strange creatures keep slipping through. His friends keep getting hurt and it's entirely his fault. He decides to do the noble thing: open a gate and go through. Without him the gates won't open and his friends won't be in danger, not to mention there's the beautiful Ziana to rescue. Only one thing stands in his way: Luke Hamilton. There's no way in hell, Luke is going to let him go without first exacting his revenge.

Overdosing on the antibiotic, Zeb opens a portal and is gravely wounded when the presence of the portal affects Luke and all of Zeb's friends. All of their abilities are suddenly magnified, as are the dangerous natures that accompany them. When trolls come out of the gate and kidnap Zeb, all of his friends follow him through. What they find on the other side propels them into an adventure of a lifetime. An adventure fraught with constant danger, but also great rewards if they succeed.

Trolls, second book in the Elf Chronicles, is definitely not a stand-alone book. Of course, when I began reading it, I didn't know this and found myself completely lost. Normally at this point I would put the book down and grab book one, but something about Trolls captured my attention. I didn't have a clue what was going on, yet the characters captured my attention. They had a depth and history most characters lack and the storyline itself was extremely interesting. Ms. Hansen-Hill has an amazing gift for combining fantasy, science fiction, suspense, danger and humor. Just when events were getting too serious one of the characters would blurt out something that had me holding my sides and trying not to lose my place.

One of the things that really impressed me was how Zeb and the others interacted with Luke. Like them, he had been bitten and while they knew what he was going through, they also recognized he had divided loyalties. It wasn't until they went through the gate Luke truly became "one of them". I will definitely be picking up the remaining books in this series; the characters have become deeply ingrained in my heart and I want to see if they succeed in rebuilding "their" world. I highly recommend Trolls, but make sure you read Elf first.

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Added September 20, 2003

The Elf Chronicles Book 1: Elf

Author: N.D. Hansen-Hill
Publisher: FictionWise
Available At: www.fictionwise.com
Publishing Date: September 2002
Genre: Fantasy
Format: E-Book download in PDF/Microsoft Reader/Mobipocket
Price: $6.99
ISBN: 0958243603
Author Email/Website:www.angelfire.com/art/ndhhbooks
Reviewer: Liz Cooper

Alexander Brody leads a simple life. He spends his days working as a lab technician, and his nights stocking shelves at the local supermarket. One night, on his customary walk home, his simple life is turned upside-down by the appearance of red, beady eyes in the darkness. It's not only the eyes that are discomforting - soon, Zander is set upon by sharp, pointy teeth tearing at his skin. These aren't ordinary dogs, he realizes as he struggles to find a way to defeat them. They're hounds, and they've been sent for him.

Quist and Macaulley Craigen are Zander's closest friends. The three of them grew up together, and they share a bond that goes beyond friendship, and even beyond family ties. Mac has always had premonitions, and when he realizes that Zander is in danger, he and Quist set out to find him. Barely making it out of the struggle alive, the three companions find themselves at the hospital, where the mystery deepens. The doctors realize that the men who have been brought in with severe wounds are very different from any patients they've seen before. There are no medical records for any of them, not even simple records of immunization. Their veins bleed shiny liquid, instead of crimson blood; they have extremely fast metabolisms, pointed ears, and slanted eyes. One doctor tries to attribute their traits to Asian ancestry, although everyone begins to suspect that the truth is far more sinister.

Armed with nothing but a few family heirlooms from their deceased parents, the three friends set out to solve the mysteries they've been confronted with. Who are they, and why did their parents keep their heritage a secret for so long? Why are fairy-tale creatures, wild hounds, and winged demons chasing Zander - and will he live long enough to find out?

N.D. Hansen-Hill has created a story full of intrigue, humor, and adventure. As the three young elves start to uncover their true heritage, they find themselves being plunged deeper into the dangerous world from which their parents had tried to protect them. There are many intense action scenes throughout the novel, and they are all extremely well written, and remarkably captivating. Each small detail is described perfectly, giving the reader the feel of actually being in the midst of battle, as excited and fearful of the outcome as the three friends.

Elf offers a creative and enchanting tale of modern-day elves. Zander, Quist, and Mac are realistic and believable in their struggles to discover their identities. Full of action scenes that will keep the reader quickly turning pages in eager anticipation of what's to come, and often uproariously funny, this is one fantasy novel that is sure to delight. Pick up a copy of Elf, and follow Zander, Quist and Mac on an adventure that will force you to leave reality behind!

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