Elvenbane - (Halfblood Chronicles) by Mercedes Lackey & Andre Norton (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

Revised and newly illustrated: a classic dragon-filled fantasy where a forbidden halfblood raised by dragons may be the spark that topples the immortal Elvenlords.

Humans wear collars. Elves wear crowns. Dragons watch from the shadows. And one halfblood girl stands between them all.

Two Grandmasters of speculative fiction unite to ignite a legend of magic, rebellion, and destiny. In a world where humans are enslaved by cruel, beautiful Elvenlords, a desperate human concubine risks everything to save her unborn child. Rescued by dragons and raised in secret, that child--Shana--grows up wild and willful in a hidden Lair, learning mind-magic and mischief at a dragon's side.

Shana is neither elf nor human, neither dragon nor slave. When her dangerous power erupts and even the dragons flinch, she is cast out into the desert and into the hands of the "two-leggers" she barely understands. Among oppressed humans, hunted halfblood wizards, and ruthless Elvenlords, whispers rise of an ancient Prophecy: a child of human and elf, raised by "demons," will become the Elvenbane and shatter the Elvenlords' rule forever.

Shana never asked to be a weapon. But as rebellion smolders and empires tremble, she must choose who she is--and what she's willing to destroy--to claim her own fate.

This revised, illustrated edition of Elvenbane launches the Halfblood Chronicles in their long-awaited, fully completed form, originally left unfinished after the death of Andre Norton. Step into the world that has captured imaginations for over thirty years--and finally experience the saga as it was meant to be read.

Perfect if you love:

- A hero torn between worlds and destinies

- Dragons as mentors--ancient, fierce, and unforgettable

- High-stakes rebellion against beautiful, merciless overlords

- Classic, character-driven epic fantasy with a satisfying, four-book arc

The Halfblood Chronicles Return -- One Book Every Month

Born from the imagination of the late Grandmaster Andre Norton, the Halfblood Chronicles were long believed forever unfinished. Now, at last, the fourth and final volume is complete--and the saga is being released in revised, illustrated editions:

Book One: Elvenbane (revised, illustrated) -- May 12, 2026

Book Two: Elvenblood (revised, illustrated) -- June 16, 2026

Book Three: Elvenborn (revised, illustrated) -- July 14, 2026

Book Four: Elvenbred (new, illustrated) -- August 18, 2026 -- the long-awaited finale

Begin the journey now. With every volume available in quick succession, you can experience the entire Halfblood Chronicles--no years-long waits between cliffhangers, just the mounting thrill of watching a fantasy legend reach its destined end.

Review Quotes

PRAISE FOR THE SERIES:

"One of the season's liveliest and, most appealing fantasy epics."--Publishers Weekly

"A brisk, glittering yarn that packs as much action, suspense, and twisting of conventions into one novel as many writers invest in whole trilogies."--Amazing Stories

"I came to this book with no expectations, other than to enjoy a book co-written by Mercedes Lackey. To say that I enjoyed it, is to say that a trip to the moon was a mere jaunt."--Goodreads User Review

"A splendid blend of the talents of two excellent storytellers!"--Anne McCaffrey

"The first half of this book is a perfect case study in how 'telling' versus 'showing' can be wildly entertaining. The authors took a lot of time to build this world... and I found myself devouring the pages."--Niki Hawkes, The Obsessive Bookseller

"A very entertaining premise."--Tim Scheidler, Fantasy Literature

"An intense fantasy that does not leave out the darkside...acknowledging that only a realm showing both bad and good can truly be fully developed."--ThriftBooks User Review

"An entertaining adventure."--Kirkus Reviews

PRAISE FOR MERCEDES LACKEY:

"If you are in need of some literary chocolate when you're having a bad day, look no further than the works of Mercedes Lackey. Try at least one of her books and I'll bet you, like with any good chocolate, you'll want more!"--Fantasy Literature

"She has been called one of the 'most prolific science fiction and fantasy writers of all time."--Locus Magazine

PRAISE FOR ANDRE NORTON:

"She is a superb story-teller with a narrative pace all her own... Norton slowly unfolds a succession of images that first intrigue and finally engulf the reader."--The New York Times Book Review

"A titan in the world of fantasy novels"--The Encyclopedia of Science Fiction

About the Author

Mercedes Lackey is a New York Times bestselling author with nearly 150 books to her name. She began writing in her teens, developing her skills through fan fiction and later receiving mentorship from renowned author C.J. Cherryh. After moving to Oklahoma in the 1980s while working as a computer programmer, she published her first novel in 1985 and soon launched a prolific career. Her many series--including Valdemar, Elemental Masters, 500 Kingdoms, and Secret World Chronicles--have been translated into multiple languages, and she continues to be a major force in fantasy literature.

Andre Norton, born Alice Mary Norton in 1912, was a groundbreaking science fiction and fantasy author whose career spanned more than 70 years and over 130 novels, including the influential Witch World and Beast Master series. A former librarian, she became the first woman to receive both the Gandalf Grand Master Award and the SFWA Grand Master Award, and was inducted into the Science Fiction and Fantasy Hall of Fame in 1997. Known for her vivid world-building and coming-of-age themes, her legacy continues through the annual Andre Norton Award for young adult speculative fiction named in her honor.