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agentnk_'s review against another edition
5.0
A hundred years or so after the events in the Word and Void trilogy, this novel is set. Following demonic assaults and climate change, the earth is becoming increasingly catastrophic. The Word & Void trilogy was fantastic, and this one connects them into the Shannara universe, which I also found to be enjoyable.
ryanjamesburt's review against another edition
2.0
I couldnt really get into this book. I must have tried reading it before because alot at the front of the book seemed very familiar. The story line sounded really cool but didnt really like where it went. Disappointed.
anthoneater's review against another edition
adventurous
inspiring
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
zaphod46's review against another edition
3.0
This was a decent post-apocalyptic book that is supposed to be a prelude
to the original Brook’s fantasy world. The plot and characters were both
decent (two paladin-types in a rush to save the remnants of the world
before it is reborn in fire), but the end of the book was a horrible cliff
hanger. Literaly, two characters are thrown off the top of a building on
the third-to-last page. That was really annoying.
to the original Brook’s fantasy world. The plot and characters were both
decent (two paladin-types in a rush to save the remnants of the world
before it is reborn in fire), but the end of the book was a horrible cliff
hanger. Literaly, two characters are thrown off the top of a building on
the third-to-last page. That was really annoying.
perilous1's review against another edition
3.0
Having read the first in the Bearers of the Black Staff series, it was interesting to jump back in the timeline to witness the origin of Hawk and his ragtag band of followers. Although, it also had the effect of semi-spoiling a few things… I never really felt concerned for Hawk, for instance. I know he must survive for the other series to be possible. I had no such reassurances about any of the other children and youth in his band, however.
The 3rd-person POV cycles around through several protagonists and antagonists--initially split across events happening on different sides of the former United States. It does gradually become clear how everything is ultimately going to consolidate and tie together. By the end, the overarching plot is poised to become a clearly cohesive thing for the next installment.
Most of this book has a distinctly post-apocalyptic feel rather than fantasy, despite the demonic hoards, bits of magic interspersed, elves… and something about a gypsy morph. >.> So much of the central worldbuilding involved scraping, scavenging, and reflecting on all that had been lost in the collapse of civilization.
I didn’t care at all for Tessa for some reason. She seemed annoyingly dithering, and I never got much sense for her personality. As a result, the romantic element between her and Hawk fell pretty flat. I wanted to root for them, but couldn’t bring myself to care enough. Not when simple survival felt vastly more compelling.
Ultimately, this story felt like more like the first 1/3rd rather than a complete book. We end off with a few revelations, a cliffhanger, and no real satisfaction. (Very much like the 1st in the Bearers of the Black Staff series. Perhaps this is the new formula?) And although I’d like to see the protagonists succeed, I don’t feel particularly attached to any of them.
Brooks continues to do high-stakes action and situational tension exceedingly well. But for this reader, the character connectivity and emotional investment isn’t quite there. I’m unsure if I will continue on in the series.
The 3rd-person POV cycles around through several protagonists and antagonists--initially split across events happening on different sides of the former United States. It does gradually become clear how everything is ultimately going to consolidate and tie together. By the end, the overarching plot is poised to become a clearly cohesive thing for the next installment.
Most of this book has a distinctly post-apocalyptic feel rather than fantasy, despite the demonic hoards, bits of magic interspersed, elves… and something about a gypsy morph. >.> So much of the central worldbuilding involved scraping, scavenging, and reflecting on all that had been lost in the collapse of civilization.
I didn’t care at all for Tessa for some reason. She seemed annoyingly dithering, and I never got much sense for her personality. As a result, the romantic element between her and Hawk fell pretty flat. I wanted to root for them, but couldn’t bring myself to care enough. Not when simple survival felt vastly more compelling.
Ultimately, this story felt like more like the first 1/3rd rather than a complete book. We end off with a few revelations, a cliffhanger, and no real satisfaction. (Very much like the 1st in the Bearers of the Black Staff series. Perhaps this is the new formula?) And although I’d like to see the protagonists succeed, I don’t feel particularly attached to any of them.
Brooks continues to do high-stakes action and situational tension exceedingly well. But for this reader, the character connectivity and emotional investment isn’t quite there. I’m unsure if I will continue on in the series.
vikingwolf's review against another edition
2.0
A group of children are living on the streets of a deserted city,inhabited by the sick,the supernatural and the unwanted while people live in fortified sport stadiums to protect against the forces of evil.When a rival gang are murdered by some new monster the children decide they have to escape.Meanwhile,a protector is on his way to the city to find one special child with the power to defeat the evil.One of the few others to stand against the evil forces is trying to outrun a demon sent to kill her and her path will lead to the same children.
Part one of a trilogy and I was really enjoying this end of the world type tale following the kids,the mysterious stranger, and Angel on the run.I was hooked until we started leaving their stories to go to a colony of Elves and a Magic Tree that wants to move house.That stuff just doesn't interest me and I kept skipping those chapters.I don't like the fantasy ones that go into elves and dwarf type things so I totally lost interest.Sadly I won't be looking at the rest of the trilogy because of it.
Part one of a trilogy and I was really enjoying this end of the world type tale following the kids,the mysterious stranger, and Angel on the run.I was hooked until we started leaving their stories to go to a colony of Elves and a Magic Tree that wants to move house.That stuff just doesn't interest me and I kept skipping those chapters.I don't like the fantasy ones that go into elves and dwarf type things so I totally lost interest.Sadly I won't be looking at the rest of the trilogy because of it.
lakesbecky's review against another edition
4.0
My first experience of Terry Brooks. This is a prequel to other stories he has written and is a grim tale of a post apocalypse world. Ends on a real cliff hanger so need to get book 2 from library quick...
tmoore48's review against another edition
4.0
Note to self: Don't read books with "Armageddon" in the title when the news is full of nuclear threats, wildfires, hurricanes, and earthquakes...
micksland's review against another edition
5.0
Definitely one of my favorite Terry Brooks books. He effortlessly blends our world and the world of the Shannara series into a chilling post-apocalyptic ruin. The characters are great and the settings are amazing. And even if the plot is not as original as possible (teen boy with magic powers is destined to save the world, etc.), Brooks still puts enough new spin on it to make for an interesting, and unpredictable, read.
P.S. If you decide to read it, make sure to have the sequel on hand as soon as you get finished. This book has one of the worst (or best, depending on your point of view) cliff-hanger endings I've ever read.
P.S. If you decide to read it, make sure to have the sequel on hand as soon as you get finished. This book has one of the worst (or best, depending on your point of view) cliff-hanger endings I've ever read.
saidahgilbert's review against another edition
2.0
This is a review written for the entire trilogy and the duology afterwards. There are no spoilers just my opinions on all five books.
I was reading through the entire Shannara series in the order recommended for new readers. Usually I don't like to read prequels after the main series but the author himself recommended it to avoid spoilers and after reading First King of Shannara after The Sword of Shannara trilogy, I understood what he meant. SO I stuck with the order. However, something is stating to bother me starting from this trilogy. I thought these books were written from the point of view of teenagers and young adults but it seems that is not the case. Every character except the ones that are obviously elderly keeps harping on how young and therefore worthless they are. It seems to be young in these books is to lack self-esteem. It's rather depressing and it made me want to put down the books. However, I persevered. It seemed to be a affliction that only affected this trilogy and the duology afterwards, in my opinion. Back in the main story line, the protagonists seem to be older.
I was reading through the entire Shannara series in the order recommended for new readers. Usually I don't like to read prequels after the main series but the author himself recommended it to avoid spoilers and after reading First King of Shannara after The Sword of Shannara trilogy, I understood what he meant. SO I stuck with the order. However, something is stating to bother me starting from this trilogy. I thought these books were written from the point of view of teenagers and young adults but it seems that is not the case. Every character except the ones that are obviously elderly keeps harping on how young and therefore worthless they are. It seems to be young in these books is to lack self-esteem. It's rather depressing and it made me want to put down the books. However, I persevered. It seemed to be a affliction that only affected this trilogy and the duology afterwards, in my opinion. Back in the main story line, the protagonists seem to be older.