Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.66 AVERAGE
3.66 AVERAGE
This was a good stand alone book that but if you are looking for epic type fantasy this isn't it. It tells a good complete story but it leaves you wanting more.
They torture a 15 year old. I couldn’t keep listening, even though I wanted to know how they get out of it, I just couldn’t.
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
My loan of the audiobook expired and I just didn’t like it enough to check it out again
I don’t like to think too far ahead about what’s waiting around the corner. ~ Terry Brooks
Finally! A new, and yet excitingly innovative Shannara novel from Terry Brooks! And with an audio version read by Simon Vance no less! I do not mind in the least the things I heard batted about as complaints about the book. It was short, yes, but it was focused. It did not have a massively "complicated" plot (and let's admit, the last couple trilogies have NOT had truly complex plots, just plots with lots of extraneous moving pieces to make them FEEL large and complex, even while they regurgitated old Shannara tropes, some of which were nice to see for nostalgia's sake, but did not alone make for good books), because it's nice to have a focus on the characters for a while. There are only so many ways the whole of the four lands can be in danger, and to feel a real sense of danger, there must be sufficient buildup.
And most importantly, I can feel that buildup throughout this book. It is indeed a standalone novel, but what I always loved about series of standalone novels was that while they are self-contained, you can often feel the slow clicking into place and buildup of larger plot elements, or an overarching story that may come to a head. I feel that here, especially with this wonderful new villain that Brooks has invented. Arcannen, though less obviously powerful than many of Brook's past villains (and introduced rather rapidly in the story) is wonderful mostly because he is able to get by as a villain despite this lack of raw power. He also fumbles a bit, but then picks himself up and corrects his mistake, which means that he will hopefully mirror the growth curve of heroes in the next couple books. Just as the heroes in books often learn from mistakes and grow stronger, so should Arcannen; even while appearing flawed, human, and honestly somewhat likeable and sympathetic in at least his outward manner.
The whole thing reminds me of Bleys from the Dorsai books. In fact, the very idea of this 3 book cycle follwed by an ending trilogy for Shannara reminds me VERY strongly of the last few books of the Gordon R. Dickson's "Childe Cycle". I look forward to the energy and uniqueness with which Brooks is approaching the chronological end of his series. I'm glad I never let the repetitiveness of some of the other books get me down for long. It's a great time to live in Shannara!
And most importantly, I can feel that buildup throughout this book. It is indeed a standalone novel, but what I always loved about series of standalone novels was that while they are self-contained, you can often feel the slow clicking into place and buildup of larger plot elements, or an overarching story that may come to a head. I feel that here, especially with this wonderful new villain that Brooks has invented. Arcannen, though less obviously powerful than many of Brook's past villains (and introduced rather rapidly in the story) is wonderful mostly because he is able to get by as a villain despite this lack of raw power. He also fumbles a bit, but then picks himself up and corrects his mistake, which means that he will hopefully mirror the growth curve of heroes in the next couple books. Just as the heroes in books often learn from mistakes and grow stronger, so should Arcannen; even while appearing flawed, human, and honestly somewhat likeable and sympathetic in at least his outward manner.
The whole thing reminds me of Bleys from the Dorsai books. In fact, the very idea of this 3 book cycle follwed by an ending trilogy for Shannara reminds me VERY strongly of the last few books of the Gordon R. Dickson's "Childe Cycle". I look forward to the energy and uniqueness with which Brooks is approaching the chronological end of his series. I'm glad I never let the repetitiveness of some of the other books get me down for long. It's a great time to live in Shannara!
adventurous
challenging
inspiring
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Aside from a few minor gripes I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I had some issues with the beginning of the book and around the middle section but I really liked how the story did not follow the basic structure that most of the books/subseries in the series.
As a huge fan of Terry Brooks and anything Shannara, it broke my heart a little last year to realize I was getting nearly 'done' with the series. As seems to happen now and again with some of these large fantasy worlds, it seems like some stories just keep going on, not so much because there's story to tell, but because they can sell books. Some of Mr Brooks last few trilogies had gotten that feel; you knew what the quest was going to be, you knew there would be obstacles, you figured the right people would come out ahead. This is all fine, especially when you love a world as much as I love the Shannara world, but you also start getting this running voice in your head that 'Yeah, I'm not helping him buy his next car.'.
Yes, I know that's a bitter thought, but just the same, it's there.
All that to say, when I saw he had a new trilogy in the works, I didn't jump on it like I have in the past. To be brutally honest, I only listened to it because Simon EFFING Vance was narrating, and hearing him read you a book is like having hot cocoa next to the fireplace on Christmas morning. Well, I'm glad to tell you, I was pleasantly surprised.
Terry managed to drop us back into the beautiful world of Shannara again, but while approaching it from a different angle. The forbidding isn't failing, the Ellcrys isn't dying, most of the formula is left in the original books where it shined so well. We get to see into the Druid order (and who ISN'T reading these books to hear more about the Druids?), all while watching the world advance onwards. This is a well spun tale with some intrigue, lots of magic, and of course, some of our Ohmsfords and Leahs thrown in.
If you're a Shannara fan, this is a must read, though it contains enough backstory that even those new to the series should fully enjoy the story. Just be ready to be itching to read the previous books.
Yes, I know that's a bitter thought, but just the same, it's there.
All that to say, when I saw he had a new trilogy in the works, I didn't jump on it like I have in the past. To be brutally honest, I only listened to it because Simon EFFING Vance was narrating, and hearing him read you a book is like having hot cocoa next to the fireplace on Christmas morning. Well, I'm glad to tell you, I was pleasantly surprised.
Terry managed to drop us back into the beautiful world of Shannara again, but while approaching it from a different angle. The forbidding isn't failing, the Ellcrys isn't dying, most of the formula is left in the original books where it shined so well. We get to see into the Druid order (and who ISN'T reading these books to hear more about the Druids?), all while watching the world advance onwards. This is a well spun tale with some intrigue, lots of magic, and of course, some of our Ohmsfords and Leahs thrown in.
If you're a Shannara fan, this is a must read, though it contains enough backstory that even those new to the series should fully enjoy the story. Just be ready to be itching to read the previous books.
adventurous