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illusie's review against another edition
4.0
I loved this book and am sad it is the final book of the series. This book is just what I expect from this author. Packed with action and great characters. I'm not sure yet what to think of the ending. It fits the series, but raises the question "but what will happen next?". I guess I just have to keep wondering
wingover's review against another edition
4.0
This was a satisfying end to the series. There were points where the author suddenly made leaps that were not in keeping with his other books, specifically in terms of how certain magic worked, but overall I liked it and liked how he wrapped up each character’s story arc. I will miss reading new additions to this series.
chill01469's review against another edition
4.0
I have been reading this series since, as a teen, I found the first book in the early 70's; what a journey this has been! It's actually hard to come to terms with this being the final Shannara book; the world created by Terry Brooks has become a sort of home away from home for me, with the vivid landscapes and captivating characters. I hope Terry realize what a treasure he has gifted to the reading world.
hmbb99's review against another edition
5.0
The last book in the epic Shannara series (maybe). The world of Shannara has lived almost as long as I have and to have it come to an end is a bit hard to grasp. This story is an amazing adventure and a wonderful end to the series. I enjoyed the story and the characters from start to finish. I would like to hope that Brooks might add another book in the future but if not I was satisfied with this one.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the advanced copy. The opinions are my own.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the advanced copy. The opinions are my own.
futuregazer's review against another edition
2.0
Sometimes series end when authors die. Other times they simply fade out, having never come to a true "finale", especially if they are sagas like this that follow separate events happening hundreds of years after each other. Or, sometimes, authors draw a line in the sand and say "This is the last one" and try to make it special.
I rather recommend against this last one, to be honest. Like a character in a good old science fiction or fantasy TV show, a series can always be revived if it is simply given a line in the sand. I have seen an in-book universe that was literally destroyed in one book pop back in another 10 years later.
I think the Fall of Shannara did little to improve on what it would have been to simply allow the series to fade out after the previous entry, never written in again. Nothing was particularly notable about this send off - a great number of named characters died, evil was vanquished, and once again, the druid order and Paranor are (maybe?) put to rest as they have been before. The only thing that makes us think this is the last time is that Brooks has said it is, and the title of the book is after all the "last" druid. So, we still have the lingering uncertainty and melancholy of a series that fades out, but now....the in-universe reasons seem pretty darn arbitrary. I was sort of expecting something else, like having the land of Shannara be renamed at the end as the Druid order was found specifically not to be needed anymore, as a new "protecting" force had arrived and merged with the nation of the 4 lands. That, while not pleasing to all, would have been a more true "conclusion". This....well, not so much.
I suppose it was good to read one more old Shannara book? But also not - the formula has been getting tired for a while, and many have noticed, which is probably why Brooks wanted to start winding it down I would imagine? But who knows.
I rather recommend against this last one, to be honest. Like a character in a good old science fiction or fantasy TV show, a series can always be revived if it is simply given a line in the sand. I have seen an in-book universe that was literally destroyed in one book pop back in another 10 years later.
I think the Fall of Shannara did little to improve on what it would have been to simply allow the series to fade out after the previous entry, never written in again. Nothing was particularly notable about this send off - a great number of named characters died, evil was vanquished, and once again, the druid order and Paranor are (maybe?) put to rest as they have been before. The only thing that makes us think this is the last time is that Brooks has said it is, and the title of the book is after all the "last" druid. So, we still have the lingering uncertainty and melancholy of a series that fades out, but now....the in-universe reasons seem pretty darn arbitrary. I was sort of expecting something else, like having the land of Shannara be renamed at the end as the Druid order was found specifically not to be needed anymore, as a new "protecting" force had arrived and merged with the nation of the 4 lands. That, while not pleasing to all, would have been a more true "conclusion". This....well, not so much.
I suppose it was good to read one more old Shannara book? But also not - the formula has been getting tired for a while, and many have noticed, which is probably why Brooks wanted to start winding it down I would imagine? But who knows.
bookgeekin's review against another edition
5.0
Supposedly the chronological end of Shannara, so a bit of a bummer. However, wrapped up several complex storylines.
hotsake's review against another edition
adventurous
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
The fourth and final book in what should’ve been a trilogy. Most of this book felt like fluff and as I turned the last page I just felt underwhelmed.