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joellenroberts's review
adventurous
inspiring
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
joyful24's review
4.0
I was very impressed with the story progression. The way the Skaar, Druid, and Windsong stories converge was a well spun tale.
hotsake's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
This was a fast-paced and mostly enjoyable book but for some reason, Brooks attempted to see how dumb and inept he could make his characters, both returning and new act.
nachtfalke's review against another edition
4.0
With a vibe comparable to "Chapterhouse: Dune", this is still a rewarding read - although it's still eons removed from the genre-defining genius that was, say, "Druid of Shannara", also a second book in a four-book series.
I think to have a "serial killer Ohmsford" is an awesome idea; outside of that, I have to confess, though, that the characters don't interest me all too much. Drisker, perhaps, but outside of that, it's too much stuff we have already seen, and he himself is basically a less mystified Allanon. - But that is also what the Shannara series is supposed to do: Druids, Leahs, Ohmsfords, Elessedils, and Creels, put in the blender, set on repeat. There is no shame in recognizing this, what, 27 books into the series, and two books away from the overall, global story's conclusion. This is why you read books like this one.
That said, it DOES get a bit repetitive, and the very forced Dar Leah - Skaar captain romance is the terrible terrible. The title-bearing Skaar themselves are simply not really well thought-through, lamentably.
Redeeming factors are the aforementioned Norman Bates Ohmsford, as well as this new Shea, COGLINE, as well as many, many other moments when we can bask in some well-deserved nostalgia.
Brooks has written better books, and Brooks will have to have a few more aces in his sleeve for the third and the fourth book to round up his literary life's biggest body of work in a way that makes this extended epilogue to "Shannara" more than a footnote compared to the series' earlier and exponentially better entries. But in the meantime, this is great vintage fantasy from one of the genre's defining writers. Just the right sort of book for a slow summer evening. I am happy books like this one still get made.
I think to have a "serial killer Ohmsford" is an awesome idea; outside of that, I have to confess, though, that the characters don't interest me all too much. Drisker, perhaps, but outside of that, it's too much stuff we have already seen, and he himself is basically a less mystified Allanon. - But that is also what the Shannara series is supposed to do: Druids, Leahs, Ohmsfords, Elessedils, and Creels, put in the blender, set on repeat. There is no shame in recognizing this, what, 27 books into the series, and two books away from the overall, global story's conclusion. This is why you read books like this one.
That said, it DOES get a bit repetitive, and the very forced Dar Leah - Skaar captain romance is the terrible terrible. The title-bearing Skaar themselves are simply not really well thought-through, lamentably.
Redeeming factors are the aforementioned Norman Bates Ohmsford, as well as this new Shea, COGLINE, as well as many, many other moments when we can bask in some well-deserved nostalgia.
Brooks has written better books, and Brooks will have to have a few more aces in his sleeve for the third and the fourth book to round up his literary life's biggest body of work in a way that makes this extended epilogue to "Shannara" more than a footnote compared to the series' earlier and exponentially better entries. But in the meantime, this is great vintage fantasy from one of the genre's defining writers. Just the right sort of book for a slow summer evening. I am happy books like this one still get made.
weaselweader's review against another edition
4.0
“He took the first breath of his new life”
I’ve said it before about Terry Brooks’ novels and I’m happy to repeat it for THE SKAAR INVASION.
As the Shannara universe enters its fifth decade and the series novel count approaches 40, it is difficult to believe that Terry Brooks’ writing remains as compelling, as imaginative, as thrilling, as provocative, as evocative and as exciting as the day I first drooled over THE SWORD OF SHANNARA. It is no small matter of personal pride for me that I can say I was one of those lucky fantasy lovers who stumbled upon the epic Shannara fantasy when it was actually first published and that I have been an ardent fan ever since I first encountered it in the late 1970s. To say that I was enchanted by Shea Ohmsford and Allanon, not to mention the magnificent illustrations of the Brothers Hildebrandt would be a masterpiece of understatement. As the Ringwraiths did in Tolkien’s LORD OF THE RINGS, Brooks’ imagining of the Skullbearers simply gave me goosebumps. A first edition illustrated trade paperback copy sits with no small pride in a valued place on my bookshelves.
In THE SKAAR INVASION, recently deposed and exiled High Druid Drisker Arc begins a rapidly fading life as little more than a spectre imprisoned in Paranor, the defeated Druid stronghold hidden behind magical walls by a treacherous Clizia Porse. After its astonishing defeat of the Druids, the Skaar invasion force, endowed with powerful and hitherto unknown magic, looks to be on pace to overrun the length and breadth of the Four Lands. It has now fallen to Tarsha Kaynin, an untested enchantress who has inherited the Ohmsford family Wishsong magic to protect herself from her own insane brother who wishes nothing more than to kill her and to defend the Four Lands from domination by the evil of the Skaar forces.
The theme is the time-tested chestnut, “good versus evil”, but in the hands of Terry Brooks, every book seems to be new and thrilling. There’s nothing stale here and every page begs to be turned so a reader can get on with this absorbing new tale of Shannara and the dangers facing the Four Lands. I am looking forward with considerable relish to the conclusion of the Invasion trilogy, THE STIEHL ASSASSIN.
Highly recommended.
Paul Weiss
I’ve said it before about Terry Brooks’ novels and I’m happy to repeat it for THE SKAAR INVASION.
As the Shannara universe enters its fifth decade and the series novel count approaches 40, it is difficult to believe that Terry Brooks’ writing remains as compelling, as imaginative, as thrilling, as provocative, as evocative and as exciting as the day I first drooled over THE SWORD OF SHANNARA. It is no small matter of personal pride for me that I can say I was one of those lucky fantasy lovers who stumbled upon the epic Shannara fantasy when it was actually first published and that I have been an ardent fan ever since I first encountered it in the late 1970s. To say that I was enchanted by Shea Ohmsford and Allanon, not to mention the magnificent illustrations of the Brothers Hildebrandt would be a masterpiece of understatement. As the Ringwraiths did in Tolkien’s LORD OF THE RINGS, Brooks’ imagining of the Skullbearers simply gave me goosebumps. A first edition illustrated trade paperback copy sits with no small pride in a valued place on my bookshelves.
In THE SKAAR INVASION, recently deposed and exiled High Druid Drisker Arc begins a rapidly fading life as little more than a spectre imprisoned in Paranor, the defeated Druid stronghold hidden behind magical walls by a treacherous Clizia Porse. After its astonishing defeat of the Druids, the Skaar invasion force, endowed with powerful and hitherto unknown magic, looks to be on pace to overrun the length and breadth of the Four Lands. It has now fallen to Tarsha Kaynin, an untested enchantress who has inherited the Ohmsford family Wishsong magic to protect herself from her own insane brother who wishes nothing more than to kill her and to defend the Four Lands from domination by the evil of the Skaar forces.
The theme is the time-tested chestnut, “good versus evil”, but in the hands of Terry Brooks, every book seems to be new and thrilling. There’s nothing stale here and every page begs to be turned so a reader can get on with this absorbing new tale of Shannara and the dangers facing the Four Lands. I am looking forward with considerable relish to the conclusion of the Invasion trilogy, THE STIEHL ASSASSIN.
Highly recommended.
Paul Weiss
hskey's review
4.0
Great fun, a big improvement over the Black Elfstone. I really am enjoying the Skaar, they're a much more interesting group than the usual demons who invade the Four Lands. Their motivations and politics are another great side to the story that you don't normally see in Shannara books. Looking forward to the third! As it seems to be the case in many of the recent books, there are a few callbacks to Shannara legends and I'm all for it, fan service or not.
branpender12's review
5.0
Terry is on my insta buy list! I was not disappointed in this book!!! The rich world building and the characters are right in the same realm as the earlier books. I could immerse myself in Shanara all day, every day! Highly recommend to new readers interested in High Fantasy that stands in line with the likes of Lord of the Rings, Pern, Game of Thrones.