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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.
waden34's review against another edition
5.0
Another Shannara book that grabbed me from the start and wouldn't let go.
The overarching plot didn't seem to move forward a ton in this book, but it was quite enjoyable nonetheless. We did get some more really good characterizations and some of the disparate groups came together nicely.
I really love the character of Ajin. She is a strong, funny, bad-ass warrior. Matching her up with Dar is very entertaining.
I've never been a big fan of the Federation story-lines. They play a fairly sizable role in this book, but the addition of Belladrin helped me care about them a bit more. She is a seemingly innocent bystander of a character, but she's so much more.
The one odd thing about this book is that I don't know who I'm supposed to root for. I like the Skaar characters and don't like the Federation much. Not sure yet if that is intended or not!
Even larger cliff-hangers ended this book and now I have to wait another year to get closure.
The overarching plot didn't seem to move forward a ton in this book, but it was quite enjoyable nonetheless. We did get some more really good characterizations and some of the disparate groups came together nicely.
I really love the character of Ajin. She is a strong, funny, bad-ass warrior. Matching her up with Dar is very entertaining.
I've never been a big fan of the Federation story-lines. They play a fairly sizable role in this book, but the addition of Belladrin helped me care about them a bit more. She is a seemingly innocent bystander of a character, but she's so much more.
The one odd thing about this book is that I don't know who I'm supposed to root for. I like the Skaar characters and don't like the Federation much. Not sure yet if that is intended or not!
Even larger cliff-hangers ended this book and now I have to wait another year to get closure.
sidhedcv's review
2.0
This one was honestly just plain boring.
We see Grianne, reach the Tiderace, everything is set to be at least something and then it was just plain boring, especially compared to The Voyage of the Jerle Shannara. Which, you know, that's bound to happen.
What happened to you, Terry Brooks.
We see Grianne, reach the Tiderace, everything is set to be at least something and then it was just plain boring, especially compared to The Voyage of the Jerle Shannara. Which, you know, that's bound to happen.
What happened to you, Terry Brooks.
booksrbrainfood's review against another edition
5.0
Finally! After Terry Brooks' brilliant start with the initial Sword of Shannara Trilogy, this book is the one to bring all the drifts away from this together. This reading felt much more like like the original trilogy and this is why I personally loved Terry Brooks. For a long time I have drifted to more of a reluctant reader because I wanted the fantasy without as much pure science fiction components. This is finally more in line with that. Yay!
Bringing out some of the long time lands and characters felt like Terry Brooks again for me.
Thank you! Definitely recommend.
#TheStiehlAssassin #NetGalley
Bringing out some of the long time lands and characters felt like Terry Brooks again for me.
Thank you! Definitely recommend.
#TheStiehlAssassin #NetGalley
annarella's review
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.
nietzschesghost's review
5.0
Perspectives on The Shannara series tend to fall into two distinct categories: those who are beyond excited that we are getting a four-part conclusion to this four-decades-old epic fantasy masterpiece and those who believe it is too drawn out and peeved they'll have to purchase all four books containing the conclusion and feel it should've been only one novel as most are; some are of the opinion that Brooks's lengthening of the series is for monetary gain (and to be fair, aren't most books about profit in some sense?) as this is a superb fantasy, but I must admit I fall on the hyped side of the fence and couldn't wait to dive into this. I don't feel we should be complaining about receiving more from Brooks's most enduring, bestselling world.
The Stiehl Assassin is a classic fantasy in every sense of the word. Of course, it's essential to have read the previous books in order to understand what is going on. Brooks's worldbuilding is truly second to none. The intricacy is astonishing and will blow you away; this is the pinnacle of fantasy creation. You are pulled into the story from the start and I abandoned everything in favour of finishing this as I had to know what happened but knowing that this is not the full conclusion I was concerned that the presumable cliffhanger would leave me a little irked, however, I needn't have worried as Mr Brooks knows how to set-up the next novel whilst making it an ultimately satisfying read in itself.
The impressive worldbuilding, the exquisite characterisation and the wholly absorbing plot with plenty of action and suspense flowing right through it all combine together for a stunning story. And how could I forget the magic? The plot features, dwarves and druids, sword and sorcery and the large cast is a joy to behold. I am yearning for the next and final instalment but will make do with rereading the whole series again as you tend to pick up more and more on repeated reads, and I could never get bored of this world. Set in a future time where magic has effectively replaced technology and armies are at the ready, moving like chess pieces on a board ready to accept their fate. If you're a fantasy fan do yourself favour and grab a copy with both hands and remember never to lend it to anyone as it's likely you'll never see the damn thing again! Many thanks to Orbit for an ARC.
The Stiehl Assassin is a classic fantasy in every sense of the word. Of course, it's essential to have read the previous books in order to understand what is going on. Brooks's worldbuilding is truly second to none. The intricacy is astonishing and will blow you away; this is the pinnacle of fantasy creation. You are pulled into the story from the start and I abandoned everything in favour of finishing this as I had to know what happened but knowing that this is not the full conclusion I was concerned that the presumable cliffhanger would leave me a little irked, however, I needn't have worried as Mr Brooks knows how to set-up the next novel whilst making it an ultimately satisfying read in itself.
The impressive worldbuilding, the exquisite characterisation and the wholly absorbing plot with plenty of action and suspense flowing right through it all combine together for a stunning story. And how could I forget the magic? The plot features, dwarves and druids, sword and sorcery and the large cast is a joy to behold. I am yearning for the next and final instalment but will make do with rereading the whole series again as you tend to pick up more and more on repeated reads, and I could never get bored of this world. Set in a future time where magic has effectively replaced technology and armies are at the ready, moving like chess pieces on a board ready to accept their fate. If you're a fantasy fan do yourself favour and grab a copy with both hands and remember never to lend it to anyone as it's likely you'll never see the damn thing again! Many thanks to Orbit for an ARC.