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illusie's review
4.0
This book was very good, just what I expect from this author. Likeable characters and a great plot. I love that there are several storylines. It's got something for everyone; romance, adventure, battle and much more. Can't wait for the next book!
wingover's review
3.0
I was really disappointed by the end of the book. I read it and was like, this can’t be real. It’s rushed, had no substance and is totally out of character. So yeah, a little disappointed.
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
2.75
I can sum up my feelings about this book with one word, Disappointing.
nachtfalke's review
3.0
Third book in a set that keeps getting progressively worse.
Now, I'm usually an admitted "Brooks apologist": "Shannara" is personal to me like few other works of fiction. Hence, I'd say that I'm quite predisposed to like his work, and I also quite like his newer material. "Defenders", to me, was a delight. - Likewise, I don't see any issues with the fact that his "world-building" is rather simplistic, or that his narratives are notoriously repetitive. To me, that's part of Brooks' signature style; if you don't like it, you have no business being 30 books into this series. I'm also aware that the in-universe logic dictates a few steps Brooks needs to take as a writer to create a conclusion to series. - You didn't think that "Shannara" would "fall" without the Druid council dismantling itself *again*, or without the Federation going full redneck *again*, or did you?
--- That all said, the "Fall" set, three books in, has been fairly disappointing:
First, the progress and the pacing: Brooks spends too much time on the - repeating - narrative of both the fall of Paranor, and later, on the - repeating - story of how Drisker escapes an interdimensional prison. Brooks already told us that, in "First King", in "High Druid", and in Talismans". Again, one might argue that this is signature "Shannara", but there is a difference between repeating a motif and retelling a story already told.
Second, the heroes: Drisker, Dar, and (to a lesser degree) Tarsha, the arguable main characters, all need a sharper profile, especially within the extremely repetitive main narrative. As of book three, they have nothing that distinguishes them. "The Druid", "The Leah", and "The Mareth", yes - but those are character stereotypes, not people.
Third, the *main* conflict, my main reason of discontent: So, the Skaar, "Shannara's" Canadian Dothraki, are the cliché evil-but-good invading force. I hope that Brooks still brings some originality to the Skaar's and to Ajin's story before their respective conclusions. Because as it is, their story is just plain telegraphed and boring. The Four Lands don't need a Daenerys, and they sure don't need a Quickening 2.0.
Fourth, the *real* conflict: Clizia Porse, the warlock granny, again, is an "over-attended" character, like Ajin. She takes too much of a role in a story that could have been told entirely without her. Like Ajin, and - perhaps like Tarsha and Drisker - she perhaps should have been split into several different characters. But as it is, Clizia is simply an overused plot device: A female fantasy Hyman Roth whose skills and knowledge change precisely as she needs it to give the heroes a hard time.
--- POINTS OF LIGHT:
It's still "Shannara", it's still the love of my life in the fantasy genre. So, of course, I find stuff that I like. The problems of "The Stiehl Assassin" come from the project's execution, not from its author's lack of capability, and that makes this an uneven, but not a terrible experience.
To begin to name some of the better things from the set and from this book, the plot itself DOES work, and DOES make sense - in principle: Fred Saberhagen's "Empire of the East" might have been a distant inspiration, yes, but that doesn't harm the story, by itself. Especially with a few hints on its eventual conclusion already in place, the whole set might still turn into a real treat for fans. MAYBE. If Ajin and Clizia are treated with more care. The base is certainly there to deliver something greater than what we got with this installment.
Then, Shea Ohmsford II. His story, and his scenes, are the reason I keep reading these books, and they are also the reason why "The Stiehl Assassin" in particular gets THREE stars from me, and NOT TWO. In those scenes, Brooks suddenly doesn't seem bored with his own story any more!
OVERALL, the worst book in the entire series. Partly, because the buildup from the two precursor novels was weak, partly because this is really not a novel onto itself but the third part of a novel split into four books. But partly also because we're indeed reaching the limits of the creative potential that the world of Shannara might hold for its author.
WILL I READ THE FOURTH BOOK, AS WELL? - Sure. My parents' old home, in my GPS, is still named after a location from the world of "Shannara". It was because Brooks mentioned him in a interview some time in the 1990s that I first picked up Faulkner. So, I'm going to keep reading his books until the sun melts the moon. - But as things are right now, I'm not expecting to enjoy whatever will come as the fourth book in this set. And that, 30 books into a series, is a shame.
Now, I'm usually an admitted "Brooks apologist": "Shannara" is personal to me like few other works of fiction. Hence, I'd say that I'm quite predisposed to like his work, and I also quite like his newer material. "Defenders", to me, was a delight. - Likewise, I don't see any issues with the fact that his "world-building" is rather simplistic, or that his narratives are notoriously repetitive. To me, that's part of Brooks' signature style; if you don't like it, you have no business being 30 books into this series. I'm also aware that the in-universe logic dictates a few steps Brooks needs to take as a writer to create a conclusion to series. - You didn't think that "Shannara" would "fall" without the Druid council dismantling itself *again*, or without the Federation going full redneck *again*, or did you?
--- That all said, the "Fall" set, three books in, has been fairly disappointing:
First, the progress and the pacing: Brooks spends too much time on the - repeating - narrative of both the fall of Paranor, and later, on the - repeating - story of how Drisker escapes an interdimensional prison. Brooks already told us that, in "First King", in "High Druid", and in Talismans". Again, one might argue that this is signature "Shannara", but there is a difference between repeating a motif and retelling a story already told.
Second, the heroes: Drisker, Dar, and (to a lesser degree) Tarsha, the arguable main characters, all need a sharper profile, especially within the extremely repetitive main narrative. As of book three, they have nothing that distinguishes them. "The Druid", "The Leah", and "The Mareth", yes - but those are character stereotypes, not people.
Third, the *main* conflict, my main reason of discontent: So, the Skaar, "Shannara's" Canadian Dothraki, are the cliché evil-but-good invading force. I hope that Brooks still brings some originality to the Skaar's and to Ajin's story before their respective conclusions. Because as it is, their story is just plain telegraphed and boring. The Four Lands don't need a Daenerys, and they sure don't need a Quickening 2.0.
Fourth, the *real* conflict: Clizia Porse, the warlock granny, again, is an "over-attended" character, like Ajin. She takes too much of a role in a story that could have been told entirely without her. Like Ajin, and - perhaps like Tarsha and Drisker - she perhaps should have been split into several different characters. But as it is, Clizia is simply an overused plot device: A female fantasy Hyman Roth whose skills and knowledge change precisely as she needs it to give the heroes a hard time.
--- POINTS OF LIGHT:
It's still "Shannara", it's still the love of my life in the fantasy genre. So, of course, I find stuff that I like. The problems of "The Stiehl Assassin" come from the project's execution, not from its author's lack of capability, and that makes this an uneven, but not a terrible experience.
To begin to name some of the better things from the set and from this book, the plot itself DOES work, and DOES make sense - in principle: Fred Saberhagen's "Empire of the East" might have been a distant inspiration, yes, but that doesn't harm the story, by itself. Especially with a few hints on its eventual conclusion already in place, the whole set might still turn into a real treat for fans. MAYBE. If Ajin and Clizia are treated with more care. The base is certainly there to deliver something greater than what we got with this installment.
Then, Shea Ohmsford II. His story, and his scenes, are the reason I keep reading these books, and they are also the reason why "The Stiehl Assassin" in particular gets THREE stars from me, and NOT TWO. In those scenes, Brooks suddenly doesn't seem bored with his own story any more!
OVERALL, the worst book in the entire series. Partly, because the buildup from the two precursor novels was weak, partly because this is really not a novel onto itself but the third part of a novel split into four books. But partly also because we're indeed reaching the limits of the creative potential that the world of Shannara might hold for its author.
WILL I READ THE FOURTH BOOK, AS WELL? - Sure. My parents' old home, in my GPS, is still named after a location from the world of "Shannara". It was because Brooks mentioned him in a interview some time in the 1990s that I first picked up Faulkner. So, I'm going to keep reading his books until the sun melts the moon. - But as things are right now, I'm not expecting to enjoy whatever will come as the fourth book in this set. And that, 30 books into a series, is a shame.
bmcwilliams76's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
4.75
weaselweader's review
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 STIEHL ASSASSIN.
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 STIEHL ASSASSIN, recently deposed and exiled High Druid Drisker Arc, aims to avenge himself against the treacherous witch-druid Clizia Porse who seeks, in her own turn, to establish herself as the Lord of Paranor and the Four Lands. She also plots to aid the invading Skaar force in their quest to overrun the length and breadth of the Four Lands and to kill Tarsha Kaynin, an apprentice druid who has inherited the Ohmsford family Wishsong magic. Her brother Tavo Kaynin seems to be recovering from the mental torture inflicted on him by Clizia Porse but his survival and mental capacity seems to be perennially hanging in the balance.
The theme, of course, 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. Aaargh … THE STIEHL ASSASSIN ends on a smoking cliff-hanger and now I must look to the conclusion of THE FALL OF SHANNARA in the closing(?) instalment , THE LAST DRUID.
Highly recommended.
Paul Weiss
I’ve said it before about Terry Brooks’ novels and I’m happy to repeat it for THE STIEHL ASSASSIN.
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 STIEHL ASSASSIN, recently deposed and exiled High Druid Drisker Arc, aims to avenge himself against the treacherous witch-druid Clizia Porse who seeks, in her own turn, to establish herself as the Lord of Paranor and the Four Lands. She also plots to aid the invading Skaar force in their quest to overrun the length and breadth of the Four Lands and to kill Tarsha Kaynin, an apprentice druid who has inherited the Ohmsford family Wishsong magic. Her brother Tavo Kaynin seems to be recovering from the mental torture inflicted on him by Clizia Porse but his survival and mental capacity seems to be perennially hanging in the balance.
The theme, of course, 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. Aaargh … THE STIEHL ASSASSIN ends on a smoking cliff-hanger and now I must look to the conclusion of THE FALL OF SHANNARA in the closing(?) instalment , THE LAST DRUID.
Highly recommended.
Paul Weiss