Release Date: 15/06/17
Publisher: Orbit
SYNOPSIS:
The first book of the triumphant and epic four-part conclusion to the Shannara series, from one of the all-time masters of fantasy.
The age of peace that has reigned across the Four Lands is now at an end. An army of invaders, wielding a terrible new magic, is cutting a bloody swathe across the far north . . .
The fate of the world now rests on the shoulders of an exiled druid, a conflicted warrior and a young woman struggling to master a powerful magic. As the conflict grows, they will face dangerous adversaries and deadly challenges - and the consequences of their actions will determine the future of the Four Lands.
Through twenty-eight novels written over the course of forty years, Terry Brooks's Shannara series has entranced millions of readers around the world. Now, with the Black Elfstone - the first book in the Fall of Shannara - Terry begins to bring his epic vision to a grand conclusion.
REVIEW:
I always have a soft place in my heart for Terry Brooks and his Shannara series, as after David Gemmell, he was an author that I always shared with my Dad. We constantly vied to see who would get the next book first and as our saying went "He who buys it gets first read." (Although to be fair my Dad cheated as he'd nick my book when I went to school and read it for a couple of hours before he had to go to work.)
Each new addition to the series has added flavour and depth and with this new series we get to see the world fall as everything has a lifespan. How this will occur and whether this is a final death knell we'll have to wait and see but we know that the heroes within won't let it go without a fight.
As with his other books we get good solid pace, a good story arc and for me characters I not only care about but want to spend time around. Terry brings his A game with this outing and whilst its going to be gripping whatever happen in the future titles in the series, if this is the true end its going to be the closing of a large part of my life. All round a cracking start and one that will have me on tenterhooks until the final page.
Release Date: 26/05/16
Publisher: Orbit
SYNOPSIS:
Blood and magic will collide . . .
Leofur is the daughter of Arcannen - a power-hungry sorcerer prepared to use the blackest of magic to get what he wants.
But she is also devoted to Arcannen's nemesis, Paxon Leah - sworn protector of the Druids who defend the Four Lands against evil.
When the Druids are forced to flee, having been framed for a murderous rampage which leaves many dead, Paxon knows that the evil sorcerer Arcannen is behind it. As the Druids seek sanctuary, Leofur sets out on a perilous quest to thwart her father's desires to destroy them all .
REVIEW:
There are some fantasy authors that just seem to be gifted to tell stories filled with magic creating a world that whilst unlike our own in some circumstances has heavily taken cataclysmic turns that help to generate something unique. So it is with terry's series and to be honest whilst I'm not a fan of the TV series, I am addicted to his writing.
As with Terry's other titles, the writing is crisp, full of adventure and delivers a wonderful tale that will take you away from our reality. The dialogue works wonderfully well for me and when backed with a principle character that I just loved to spend time with magically transported me away from Earth for a few hours returning me at the tales sated as well as wondering what the hell had happened to the time. (I suspect a time difference as I felt like I spent days there only to return a few hours later Earth time.)
All round a cracking read and another gem for Terry's collection.
Release Date: 09/06/15
Publisher: Orbit
SYNOPSIS:
From New York Times bestselling author Terry Brooks—the second stand-alone Shannara novel in the Defenders of Shannara series, following The High Druid’s Blade, easily accessible to new readers.
Paxon Leah has joined the Druid Order as a paladin, tasked with protecting the Druids with the aid of his magical sword. But Paxon’s toughest assignment will come when he must track down a young musician with newly-manifested magic before a rival sorcerer can corrupt the boy.
REVIEW:
Having been a huge Shannara fan for years, I always love the chance to return to Terry’s world to spend time with not just the characters but events that help shape it. Whilst many of the books are tied in to various series, this is the authors only second stand alone (although personally as a reader I still reread the whole set fitting the new one into the correct place in the timeline.)
As usual with Terry you’re drawn in with cracking prose, solid storytelling and perhaps best of all flawed heroes who seek to uphold their ideal’s whilst not only remaining true to their ideal’s but managing to grow despite what their choices throw at them. Its definitely a series that will have you cheering, have you reading long into the night alongside giving the reader the chance to share their successes and of course their losses.
Its definitely a series I can’t help but love but when you also add the way that Terry manages to add extra layers to what we already know, generates quite a unique experience. Absolutely cracking.
Release Date: 12/03/13
Publisher: Orbit
SYNOPSIS:
The quest for the long-lost Elfstones has drawn the leader of the Druid order and her followers into the hellish dimension known as the Forbidding, where the most dangerous creatures banished from the Four Lands are imprisoned. Now the hunt for the powerful talismans that can save their world has become a series of great challenges: a desperate search for kidnapped comrades, a relentless battle against unspeakable predators, and a grim race to escape the Forbidding alive. But though freedom is closer than they know, it may come at a terrifying price. Back in the village of Arborlon, the mystical, sentient tree that maintains the barrier between the Four Lands and the Forbidding is dying. And with each passing day, as the breach between the two worlds grows larger, the threat of the evil eager to spill forth and wreak havoc grows more dire. The only hope lies with a young Druid, faced with a staggering choice: cling to the life she cherishes or combat an army of darkness by making the ultimate sacrifice.
REVIEW:
To be honest I was originally introduced to Terry’s writing by my Dad and as the books have come out I’ve had my ups and downs with the writing. Usually the books give me everything that I want, yet to be blunt the second books for me have tended to be the weakest, feeling more like trying to fill the gap between a cracking ending and a magnificent ending, almost as if the middle has been put together whilst trying to travel to the authors destination.
Bloodfire Quest sadly is one of the second novels that really doesn’t hit the spot for me. It’s not that it’s a bad book, but it does feel that there is a lot of meandering within as we tread familiar ground within. Don’t get me wrong I had a lot of fun reading this, I enjoyed the journey, the cliffhanger was cracking but when I have so much filler, I feel a little cheated.
All round a solid enough book which does prove that Terry is a good writer however against the first book, Wards of Faerie, it pales in comparison.
Release Date: 23/08/12
SYNOPSIS:
With the discovery of ancient powers, a legend begins ...There was an age when the world was young. It was a time before the coming of humans, a time when magic was the dominant power - and it was named the age of Faerie. Ever since this time, a bitter war has been raging between the forces of good and evil. And it was during this age that the Elfstones protecting the Elven race disappeared. They have been missing for thousands of years. Now a clue to their location may have surfaced in the ancient diary of a princess, and it will be the beginning of an adventure that no-one could have anticipated. This is the beginning of a breath-taking new series from the master of modern fantasy Terry Brooks. Returning to his core Shannara world, this spellbinding series will astound both seasoned Terry Brooks fans and those discovering his magical world for the first time.
REVIEW:
I love spending time in the worlds of Terry Brooks and when a new series kicks off, you know that I’m there at the front of the cue to get my hands on an early copy as soon as I can. Firstly because they’re a damn fine read for the fantasy fan, and secondly if I don’t get to it quick enough my copy is stolen by a pilfering parent.
What occurs within this book is a story of adventure, of political machination backstabbing and also full of all the wonder that the reader has come to expect. Add to this solid prose, great characters and a whole new set of things to discover which all round made this a real treat to enjoy.
Release Date: 15/09/11
SYNOPSIS:
Five centuries ago, a catastrophic demon war left the world in ruins. Since then, the survivors - humans, elves and other mutants - have found sanctuary in a mountain valley protected by magic. But now these protective wards have failed, and a ruthless troll army is on the brink of invasion.
Sider Ament was the survivors’ only hope for salvation. He was bearer of the last remaining black staff - a powerful talisman passed down through the centuries by the Knights of the Word - and the key to keeping the magic of the world in balance. But now Sider is dead.
To stave off annihilation, the staff’s magic must be preserved. Panterra Qu, a young Tracker gifted with the staff at Sider's death, struggles to control its power. And great sacrifices must be made - for all will pay a price if the war between the Word and the Void tips towards darkness.
REVIEW:
As a fan of Terry’s writing, readers have long wanted to know how the world developed from the Knights of the Word to the world of Shannara which began in the first tale of the Legends of Shannara series, Bearer of the Black Staff. As with the original it is well written, the characters within helping to expand the detail and above all else it’s the clever twists and Terry’s ability to portray the spirit of man feeling within his work that really comes into its own.
Add to this some cracking twists, a great sense of pace and prose that really grips you in its fist until the last page and the reader will be left gasping for more. Great stuff all round although prior to reading this book I really do suggest that you start with the first title prior in order to get the full effect. Whilst this may come across as a mini world series that might not appeal to all, it is cleverly devised and for fans of Terry’s work it’s an absolute must have.
Release Date: 14/07/11
SYNOPSIS:
Five hundred years have passed since the devastating demon-led war that almost exterminated humankind. Those who escaped the carnage were led to sanctuary by the boy saviour known as Hawk: the gypsy morph. But now, the unimaginable has come to pass: the cocoon of protective magic surrounding the valley has vanished. When Sider Ament, last surviving Knight of the Word, detects unknown predators stalking the valley, and Trackers from the human village of Glensk Wood, find two of their own gruesomely killed, there can be no doubt: the once safe haven of generations has been laid bare. Together, the young Trackers, the aging Knight, and a daring Elf princess race to spread word of the encroaching danger. But suspicion and hostility among their countrymen threaten to doom their efforts from within, while beyond the breached borders, a ruthless Troll army masses for invasion. Standing firm between the two, the last wielder of the black staff and its awesome magic must find a successor to carry on the fight against the cresting new wave of evil.
REVIEW:
If you’re a fan of Terry Brooks then you really won’t need me to tell you about the newly released paperback of book one of his new series, Legends of Shannara. As usual with Terry’s writing style it’s one that either you love or hate and to be honest he’s one that whilst I tend to think of as acceptable if not mind blowing and is something that will generate a tale that many fantasy fans will love.
It has decent prose, a fairly slow pace, but as you’re probably already aware expected with the start of a new series as a lot of the groundwork has to be set to help the tale move along in subsequent titles. Add to this the usual type of characters who discover something new about themselves and it’s a story that helps to fill in some of the blanks in the murky history of the Shannara world.
Finally throw into the mix a whole new set of problems and whilst this is a prehistory its one that many fans of Terry’s writing will love to death making this a reasonable story and one that has scope for a hell of a lot to happen which, at the end of the day, is one reason why I keep reading him.
BOOK BLURB:
Princess Mistaya Holiday hasn't been fitting in too well at Carrington Women's Preparatory. People don't seem to appreciate her using her magic to settle matters in the human world. So when she summons a dragon to teach a lesson to the snotty school bully, she finds herself suspended. But Mistaya couldn't care less - she wants nothing more than to continue her studies under Questor the court magician and Abernathy the court scribe. However, her father Ben Holiday, the King of Landover, has rather different plans in mind for her. He thinks he'll teach her about perseverance and compromise by sending her to renovate Libiris, the long-abandoned royal library. How horribly dull. But before long, Mistaya will long for the boredom of cataloguing an unfeasible number of derelict books - for deep within the library there lies a secret so dangerous that it threatens the future of Landover itself ...
REVIEW:
Fans of Terry’s the world over have been looking forward to this tale, part of his Landover series. Whilst this is the lighter side of Brooks work it is a series that has won a place in many fans hearts. Here Terry takes the reader on a new story that goes to prove the old adage that people believe what they want and its only when seen through different eyes that the truth is finally revealed. Well written, beautifully constructed and a tale that will amuse many a fan. That said however I’d clearly advise reading the series to date before starting this as its only a matter of time until the Landover series has the same film going success that Terry’s Shanarra series has.
BOOK BLURB:
The last cities have fallen. Demons and once-men swarm the ravaged landscape of the former United States. A small band of survivors - the elves of Cintra and a ragtag group of human children and their protectors - flees northward toward a safe haven promised by the mystical King of the Silver River. To reach it, they must follow the boy named Hawk - now revealed as the legendary gypsy morph. With two Knights of the Word as their only protection, the brave remnant faces attacks on all sides. At stake are the survival of races human and elf - and the beginning of a new world for both.
REVIEW:
Having been a fan of Terry’s work for a number of years I’ve always wondered how the world evolved into the Shanarra that we’ve all fallen in love with. (Especially now that Elfstones is about to be released as a major motion picture.) So having enjoyed the previous two novels I really couldn’t wait to see how he’d finish this part of the epic. It’s written with Terry’s usual punch, its also got lots of twists with a bedevilled quest for the heroes to complete. However, that said, the characters weren’t as well defined, they felt like they’d taken a step back as if they’d become more wooden as opposed to growing to the roles into which they’d been thrust. A great shame to be honest as I expect more from an established author and felt a tad let down by this drop in attention. Its still a good series, its still several notches above other authors and the twists are going to wow as well as enthral the reader however that one flaw in the book really got to me.
