Elvenbred - (Halfblood Chronicles) by Mercedes Lackey & Ben Ohlander (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

ELVENBRED (Halfblood Chronicles, Book Four) -- New & Illustrated

The wait is over. More than two decades in the making, the long-awaited final chapter of the Halfblood Chronicles has arrived. This is not just another release--it's the moment fantasy fans have waited for. Every book has led to this one. Every prophecy, every secret, every rebellion now comes to a breathtaking conclusion.

Co-created by Grandmasters Mercedes Lackey and Andre Norton, and now completed by Mercedes Lackey and Benjamin Ohlander, Elvenbred delivers a masterful finale that fuses epic fantasy, political intrigue, and speculative science fiction into a story of collapse, defiance, and rebirth.

The world is burning. The elven cities are falling, one by one. Amid the siege of Veridian, Lord Haldeen--the brilliant, ruthless Gatekeeper--struggles to hold together a dying empire. As monstrous Predators rise from the wilds and the elves' own machines turn against them, Haldeen gambles everything on a forbidden experiment that could open the way to another world... or destroy what remains of this one.

Why this finale is unmissable:

• An ending fans have been waiting more than 20 years for: The long-awaited conclusion to one of fantasy's most beloved sagas.


• A new creative team: Mercedes Lackey and Benjamin Ohlander bring fresh energy and vision while honoring the legacy of Andre Norton.


• Epic in scope, intimate in focus: The fate of nations balanced against the conscience of one man--and the courage of those who defy him.


• Fantasy meets science: Elven magic entwines with mechanical constructs and living machines in a bold fusion of genres.


• Illustrated edition: Gorgeous new art brings the Halfblood world to life like never before.

Elvenbred is not just the end of a story--it's a return to the wonder that began it all.
As alliances fracture and old powers fall, new legends rise.
The prophecy completes. The circle closes. And fantasy history is made.

The Halfblood Chronicles -- Complete 2026 Event Series

• 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

Join the event. With each book landing monthly, the Halfblood Chronicles build toward a finale that's been a generation in the making. Experience the end of an era--and the birth of a new legend.

The Halfblood Chronicles return--complete at last.

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.

Ben Ohlander began his writing career in the mid-1990s, publishing short fantasy stories and co-authoring tie-in novels for popular video game franchises, including Enemy of My Enemy (1995) with David Drake and Wing Commander: The Price of Freedom (1996) with William R. Forstchen. Ohlander has also contributed short works to other fantasy anthologies.