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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
debbieh2109's review against another edition
5.0
Outstanding
This another great book. Very suspenseful and was very hard to put down. Looking forward to the next book in this series.
This another great book. Very suspenseful and was very hard to put down. Looking forward to the next book in this series.
annarella's review against another edition
5.0
It's a long time since last I visited Shannara and was happy to be back.
I was happy to read again this classic fantasy and be swept away by the plot.
The impressive world building and characters development, the engrossing and engaging plot were the elements that kept me hooked till the end.
I look forward to reading the next installment.
Highly recommended!
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.
I was happy to read again this classic fantasy and be swept away by the plot.
The impressive world building and characters development, the engrossing and engaging plot were the elements that kept me hooked till the end.
I look forward to reading the next installment.
Highly recommended!
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.
hskey's review
3.0
Savored each page, knowing this will be one of the last Shannara books I ever read. It's a really interesting final series - very different from what Brooks has tried previously, though his trademark pacing and action is here.
It's strange, I almost wish the book was a few hundred pages longer and took its time - his older fantasies felt a bit more epic, but that being said, I also like the breakneck pace of the story.
Colorful characters going on fantastic adventures in airships will always be a blast, but this book didn't feel quite as strong as book 2. Likely setting up for the Last Druid, which I'm going to start ASAP. I can't stop now, can I?
It's strange, I almost wish the book was a few hundred pages longer and took its time - his older fantasies felt a bit more epic, but that being said, I also like the breakneck pace of the story.
Colorful characters going on fantastic adventures in airships will always be a blast, but this book didn't feel quite as strong as book 2. Likely setting up for the Last Druid, which I'm going to start ASAP. I can't stop now, can I?
ltibbs3's review
5.0
Terry Brooks is my favorite fantasy author. I have enjoyed reading all 29 books in the Shannara series. His first book was in 1977. The Stiehl Assassin (2019) is the third book in the Fall of Shannara arc. His Shannara series concludes next year. His character development is amazing! You really care about the people and are excited learning about the different generations throughout the 29 books that you’ve grown to love. I’ve met Terry Brooks many times over the years and have all my books signed. I’ve also heard him speak at Norwescon and Emerald City Comic Con in Seattle. I’m sad that the world of Shannara will come to an end next year with the publication of book #30. If you haven’t read any of his books, you are missing out on the best current fantasy writer—who has been compared to Tolkien.
thejosh2099's review
2.0
So I'm finally catching up, with the finale of Shannara finally released. I find it a bittersweet experience. Nothing comes close to the amount of influence Terry Brooks and the Shannara series have had on me and my life. There are very few things I list higher than much of his early work; they forever hold a special place in my heart that is unassailable.
So it isn't easy dealing with so much disappointment, so close to the end.
Maybe it is a product of reading something like thirty books by one person. Maybe Brooks has gotten old, his patented formula grown stale, or perhaps I have simply grown. I don't know.
I just know that I don't have high hopes or expectations for the end and I desperately hope I am wrong.
So it isn't easy dealing with so much disappointment, so close to the end.
Maybe it is a product of reading something like thirty books by one person. Maybe Brooks has gotten old, his patented formula grown stale, or perhaps I have simply grown. I don't know.
I just know that I don't have high hopes or expectations for the end and I desperately hope I am wrong.
tarana's review
5.0
So far everything looks bad for everybody but the bad guys. One more book to go!
vaderbird's review
3.0
I am surprised, first of all I thought I was finally done with the Shannara that they will stop butchering the series that I loved as a child, that I can stop the pain. Alas, I was mistaken there is another book, and with my low expectation of dread I surprisingly enjoyed it, a solid 3 stars!
5 star - EPIC / Perfection
4 star - Great I will recommend out
3 star - good
2 star - I managed to somehow finish it
1 star - So bad I could not even complete it.
5 star - EPIC / Perfection
4 star - Great I will recommend out
3 star - good
2 star - I managed to somehow finish it
1 star - So bad I could not even complete it.
squidlord23's review
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
jkutterer's review
3.0
I think there was a little more originality in this book than the last two (which just reused the same conflicts as previous books on the series), but it still felt lacking. There were some good surprises and I like the way the characters are treated, but the plot still felt like it kind of meandered its way along.
One thing that really frustrated me was the last chapter. It almost felt like Brooks ran out of pages and had to just quickly spit out what should have been a much more thrilling end to the book.
I was still entertained while reading and am still intrigued as to how everything will wrap up in the final book, but I hope that Brooks is able to break free of his previous stories and write a truly new, gripping conclusion to the Shannara saga.
One thing that really frustrated me was the last chapter. It almost felt like Brooks ran out of pages and had to just quickly spit out what should have been a much more thrilling end to the book.
I was still entertained while reading and am still intrigued as to how everything will wrap up in the final book, but I hope that Brooks is able to break free of his previous stories and write a truly new, gripping conclusion to the Shannara saga.