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3.73 AVERAGE
3.73 AVERAGE
adventurous
funny
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Loveable characters:
Yes
Cozy fantasy
Confession, I didn’t actually read much of this book, because I read all three books separately. I got the first book from my uncle’s personal library and then this omnibus came a week or two after that. So I honestly planned on reading books 2 and 3 in this edition.
But then I realized that I had a copy of the second book that my mom had given me ages ago and I had to dig it out of my bookcase. And it turns out that my grandma on my dad and uncle’s side had given my mom that book for Christmas. So, because the book was in hand and lighter than all three in one even if it was a hardback, I read that edition rather than in this book.
Now, the third one. I honestly do like bringing the smaller boos to work, so I was about to get a copy of the third one from the used bookstore, only I forgot about it the last time I was there. But then my dad brought home a whole bunch of books (book-pocolypse) that had belonged to my uncle and the third book was one of those. So I took the smaller book to work.
And so it passed that I didn’t actually read this book, but I will still add it to my goodreads collection.
But then I realized that I had a copy of the second book that my mom had given me ages ago and I had to dig it out of my bookcase. And it turns out that my grandma on my dad and uncle’s side had given my mom that book for Christmas. So, because the book was in hand and lighter than all three in one even if it was a hardback, I read that edition rather than in this book.
Now, the third one. I honestly do like bringing the smaller boos to work, so I was about to get a copy of the third one from the used bookstore, only I forgot about it the last time I was there. But then my dad brought home a whole bunch of books (book-pocolypse) that had belonged to my uncle and the third book was one of those. So I took the smaller book to work.
And so it passed that I didn’t actually read this book, but I will still add it to my goodreads collection.
The Tangle Box
I finished this book on 8/24/18. The plot was ok on this one, kind of vaguely annoying. People have no clue what they are doing. Strabo is still the best.
Witches’ Brew
I started this in the omnibus and then continued this in the paperback.
I finished this book on 8/24/18. The plot was ok on this one, kind of vaguely annoying. People have no clue what they are doing. Strabo is still the best.
Witches’ Brew
I started this in the omnibus and then continued this in the paperback.
How do you review an omnibus of three books without giving away any spoilers? I don’t know so I’m not going to try. These are the first three books in the Landover series of fantasy novels by Terry Brooks. It is a story that is continually crossing over between our real-world Chicago and a magical Kingdom named Landover.
Book one opens with Ben Holiday, a successful lawyer and partner in a law firm who still grieves the loss of his wife, Annie. He opens a holiday catalog that is exclusive to people of affluence and finds an ad to purchase a magical kingdom. He debates but ultimately buys the throne of Landover.
Upon entry into Landover he finds things are not quite what he expected. The kingdom is rotting away as a result of Landover not having a king in so long. The magic of the land is tied to the magic found in having a king on the throne that commands the mysterious Paladin. The mystery of the Paladin permeates the first book and the conclusion is ultimately satisfying and if I’m being honest, I think it’s pretty bad ass.
Ben pretty quickly encounters his most loyal followers who play a prominent part in the remainder of the three books. The court wizard, Questor Thews, the court scribe, Abernathy, who is actually a dog who talks and walks upright on account of a spell gone wrong that turned him from a man to a dog. He also has two kobolds in his service, Bunion and Parsnip. The latter of those also serves as the royal chef.
If I have any complaint at all it is that the Kingdom of Landover has a very claustrophobic feel. Ben sets off on a mission to visit all of the different peoples of his Kingdom and it seems to last only three or four stops. In fact a quick look over at a Landover Wiki reveals only five particular locations of note within Landover and one is not visited in the first three books, if it ever is.
Of course the list of major characters is only 13 people deep with most of them having already been introduced. This doesn’t necessarily mean that you form a close bond with them; instead I seem to be more fascinated in what happens next rather than who might live or die.
In conclusion, I think Terry Brooks has created a likeable story and universe in which I’ll love to visit, though not as eagerly as Shannara. These books are quick, enjoyable reads that have a more YA feel to them than their Shannara or Word & the Void counterparts.
Again, I wish there were half-star options because I’d love to give it a 3.5 out of 5 or something. But I definitely couldn’t justify a 4. If you like Terry Brooks, you’ll very likely enjoy Landover as well.
Book one opens with Ben Holiday, a successful lawyer and partner in a law firm who still grieves the loss of his wife, Annie. He opens a holiday catalog that is exclusive to people of affluence and finds an ad to purchase a magical kingdom. He debates but ultimately buys the throne of Landover.
Upon entry into Landover he finds things are not quite what he expected. The kingdom is rotting away as a result of Landover not having a king in so long. The magic of the land is tied to the magic found in having a king on the throne that commands the mysterious Paladin. The mystery of the Paladin permeates the first book and the conclusion is ultimately satisfying and if I’m being honest, I think it’s pretty bad ass.
Ben pretty quickly encounters his most loyal followers who play a prominent part in the remainder of the three books. The court wizard, Questor Thews, the court scribe, Abernathy, who is actually a dog who talks and walks upright on account of a spell gone wrong that turned him from a man to a dog. He also has two kobolds in his service, Bunion and Parsnip. The latter of those also serves as the royal chef.
If I have any complaint at all it is that the Kingdom of Landover has a very claustrophobic feel. Ben sets off on a mission to visit all of the different peoples of his Kingdom and it seems to last only three or four stops. In fact a quick look over at a Landover Wiki reveals only five particular locations of note within Landover and one is not visited in the first three books, if it ever is.
Of course the list of major characters is only 13 people deep with most of them having already been introduced. This doesn’t necessarily mean that you form a close bond with them; instead I seem to be more fascinated in what happens next rather than who might live or die.
In conclusion, I think Terry Brooks has created a likeable story and universe in which I’ll love to visit, though not as eagerly as Shannara. These books are quick, enjoyable reads that have a more YA feel to them than their Shannara or Word & the Void counterparts.
Again, I wish there were half-star options because I’d love to give it a 3.5 out of 5 or something. But I definitely couldn’t justify a 4. If you like Terry Brooks, you’ll very likely enjoy Landover as well.
Started out strong and I really enjoyed it. Then it quickly dissolved into mush.
The Magic Kingdom of Landover Volume 1 is an omnibus containing the first three novels in the Magic Kingdom of Landover series. The individual books that make up volume 1 are: Magic Kingdom For Sale-Sold, The Black Unicorn and Wizard at Large.
The book starts out really strong...a middle-aged lawer who lost his wife three years ago is searching for something in his life. He is tired of the day to day stress of a world without meaning and adventure. That is when he decides to buy a magical kingdom and when the fun begins...
I really, really, really wanted to be someone giving this book a 5 star rating. I thought the whole idea of a man buying a magical kingdom and being made king to rule over Landover was really creative. However, I found that it ended up as a mediocre fantasy novel.
The beginning and the end of this book were good enough to keep my interest. The middle of the book which is the Black Unicorn was completly uninteresting an unnecessary.
I already bought the second volume which completes the series so I guess I will finish it.
The book starts out really strong...a middle-aged lawer who lost his wife three years ago is searching for something in his life. He is tired of the day to day stress of a world without meaning and adventure. That is when he decides to buy a magical kingdom and when the fun begins...
I really, really, really wanted to be someone giving this book a 5 star rating. I thought the whole idea of a man buying a magical kingdom and being made king to rule over Landover was really creative. However, I found that it ended up as a mediocre fantasy novel.
The beginning and the end of this book were good enough to keep my interest. The middle of the book which is the Black Unicorn was completly uninteresting an unnecessary.
I already bought the second volume which completes the series so I guess I will finish it.
adventurous
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
5 star - Perfect
4 star - i would recommend
3 star - good
2 star - struggled to complete
1 star - could not finish
4 star - i would recommend
3 star - good
2 star - struggled to complete
1 star - could not finish
This omnibus of the first 3 books of the Magic of Landover series was definitely a fun read for me. I've read most of Terry's works except for this series and have to say that I don't regret the read. It's not the Shannara Series, but it IS a good series all on its own. One that does a good job of entertaining the reader and raising thought provoking questions within its story.