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3.93 AVERAGE
3.93 AVERAGE
Unlike most of the recent books in the Shannara series, I didn't want to put this one down.
The pace of the book is frantic, in a good way. There are constant conflicts that push the characters forward in their journey. They undergo far more loss then I can ever remember happening in the series.
The four groups from Armageddon's Children are merged into 2 (then split into 3 for a time...) so you get more time with each character than you did in the previous book. Like the last book, the characters are very well written.
The Elves get a lot done in this book (as the title would suggest). The Ghosts and Logan Tom don't have as much plot movement, but I really did enjoy reading about their journey.
The pace of the book is frantic, in a good way. There are constant conflicts that push the characters forward in their journey. They undergo far more loss then I can ever remember happening in the series.
The four groups from Armageddon's Children are merged into 2 (then split into 3 for a time...) so you get more time with each character than you did in the previous book. Like the last book, the characters are very well written.
The Elves get a lot done in this book (as the title would suggest). The Ghosts and Logan Tom don't have as much plot movement, but I really did enjoy reading about their journey.
I loved the entire series. this book could have stood more meat on it...more detail about the two separate groups, but still I read on.
I am going to introduce this to my adult kids.
I am going to introduce this to my adult kids.
I'm really enjoying this series and looking forward to finding out how it leads into the [b:The Sword of Shannara Trilogy|478894|The Sword of Shannara Trilogy (Shannara, #1-3)|Terry Brooks|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1388201262l/478894._SX50_.jpg|467318].
There are still too many characters to keep track of, but there haven't been many new ones added in this book so it's getting easier. I'm listening to the audiobook narrated by [a:Phil Gigante|521640|Phil Gigante|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1263251671p2/521640.jpg] and he does a really good job.
I read the original trilogy in the late 80s and kept going until the end of the [b:The Talismans of Shannara|34919|The Talismans of Shannara (Heritage of Shannara, #4)|Terry Brooks|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1168573644l/34919._SY75_.jpg|201738]. I don't know what kept me from carrying on when more came out, but I'm making up for that now, having started again with the Sword trilogy and then went right back to the start of the Word and the Void. So I'll be jumping into [b:The Scions of Shannara|34988|The Scions of Shannara (Heritage of Shannara, #1)|Terry Brooks|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1429347355l/34988._SY75_.jpg|19017827], or do I have to read [b:First King of Shannara|92855|First King of Shannara (The Original Shannara Trilogy, #0)|Terry Brooks|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1171251172l/92855._SY75_.jpg|1245597] first? I'll have to check the chronology and go with that if that's the way to do it.
I've got a long drive coming up next week so I guess I'll get into [b:The Gypsy Morph|2675261|The Gypsy Morph (Genesis of Shannara, #3)|Terry Brooks|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1420943855l/2675261._SY75_.jpg|2595624] then if my wife can stand it ha ha!
There are still too many characters to keep track of, but there haven't been many new ones added in this book so it's getting easier. I'm listening to the audiobook narrated by [a:Phil Gigante|521640|Phil Gigante|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1263251671p2/521640.jpg] and he does a really good job.
I read the original trilogy in the late 80s and kept going until the end of the [b:The Talismans of Shannara|34919|The Talismans of Shannara (Heritage of Shannara, #4)|Terry Brooks|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1168573644l/34919._SY75_.jpg|201738]. I don't know what kept me from carrying on when more came out, but I'm making up for that now, having started again with the Sword trilogy and then went right back to the start of the Word and the Void. So I'll be jumping into [b:The Scions of Shannara|34988|The Scions of Shannara (Heritage of Shannara, #1)|Terry Brooks|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1429347355l/34988._SY75_.jpg|19017827], or do I have to read [b:First King of Shannara|92855|First King of Shannara (The Original Shannara Trilogy, #0)|Terry Brooks|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1171251172l/92855._SY75_.jpg|1245597] first? I'll have to check the chronology and go with that if that's the way to do it.
I've got a long drive coming up next week so I guess I'll get into [b:The Gypsy Morph|2675261|The Gypsy Morph (Genesis of Shannara, #3)|Terry Brooks|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1420943855l/2675261._SY75_.jpg|2595624] then if my wife can stand it ha ha!
Terry Brooks has been one of my favorite authors since the sixth grade, when I was first given a copy of "The Sword of Shannara" for Christmas. I've always enjoyed his books and been drawn in by his deep themes, dynamic characters, and unique way of looking at things. The Elves of Cintra was no different.
This is a continuation of Armageddon's Children, Brooks's post-apocalyptic story of a world destroyed by mankind's greed and inaction. But what makes it unique isn't the dystopian aspect, but the fact that this destruction is spurred on by a deeper evil, by demonic forces that mankind has given into and that is intent on destroying everything. The mix of science fiction and high fantasy is an unusual one that takes some adjustment, but I think Brooks pulls it off fantastically. And, although it's a sort of prequel to his first Shannara books and sequels to the Word & Void trilogy, it ties everything together magnificently as well.
My only complaint is that I would have liked to get deeper into the mind of the major antagonist, Findo Gask. As in the Shannara books Antrax and Morgawr, getting into the minds of inhuman bad guys is one of Brooks's fortes, but I found it somewhat lacking in this series. He has created many characters who are just plain evil with no motivation other than that's what they are, but it was hinted at that Findo Gask was a bit deeper and more complex, which I would have liked to explore some.
Overall, however, it was a great book, as always. I always expect great reads from Mr. Brooks and have yet to be disappointed.
This is a continuation of Armageddon's Children, Brooks's post-apocalyptic story of a world destroyed by mankind's greed and inaction. But what makes it unique isn't the dystopian aspect, but the fact that this destruction is spurred on by a deeper evil, by demonic forces that mankind has given into and that is intent on destroying everything. The mix of science fiction and high fantasy is an unusual one that takes some adjustment, but I think Brooks pulls it off fantastically. And, although it's a sort of prequel to his first Shannara books and sequels to the Word & Void trilogy, it ties everything together magnificently as well.
My only complaint is that I would have liked to get deeper into the mind of the major antagonist, Findo Gask. As in the Shannara books Antrax and Morgawr, getting into the minds of inhuman bad guys is one of Brooks's fortes, but I found it somewhat lacking in this series. He has created many characters who are just plain evil with no motivation other than that's what they are, but it was hinted at that Findo Gask was a bit deeper and more complex, which I would have liked to explore some.
Overall, however, it was a great book, as always. I always expect great reads from Mr. Brooks and have yet to be disappointed.
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Good continuation from the first book and expanding the story as Brooks often does without making it exceedingly confusing. Tying in some later series lore was fun as an avid reader for the series.
Even better than the one before, I found it really fast paced and interesting. I'd read it before but didn't remember much of it, so I've enjoyed all the surprises.
Interesting, not quite as compelling a read as the first book (Armageddon's Children), but still enjoyable.