Book Synopsis
Grianne Ohmsford has created a new Druid Council though she faces internal opposition from those druids who seek power as leader. When an opportunity arises for those who would betray her to banish her from from the Four Lands they use the dark magic provided by a secret source, and it falls to her nephew Penderrin Ohmsford to find a way to save her.
Book Review Summary
This is an interesting new addition to the Shannara series that follows on well from the Voyage of the Jerle Shannara series. The story of Grianne becoming Ard Rhys and leader of the druids is a little overlooked but we can see the impact she’s having on those around her. The malevolence of the Federation Prime Minister Sen Dunsidan, who was part of Grianne’s past, mixed with the resentment of druids lead by Shadea a’Ru, is a potent combination that threatens to destroy what the druids stand for and finally hand victory to the Federation’s cause. The return of Ahren Elessedil, combined with Pen’s destiny, makes this an enjoyable read heaped in the lore of Shannara and offering an exciting new instalment to the series.
Please click this link for a full book review of Jarka Ruus (High Druid of Shannara) and click here for more book reviews.
Saturday 25 January 2014
Saturday 14 December 2013
Morgawr (The Voyage of the Jerle Shannara) – Book Review
Book Synopsis
The quest that took the crew of the Jerle Shannara to Castledown is coming to an end and it seems that few will survive, especially now that the powerful warlock Morgawr has come to destroy them.
Book Review Summary
An interesting (and somewhat different) storyline for the Shannara series comes to a conclusion. It’s been a trying time for the party led by the Druid Walker who took them across the Blue Divide to Castledown and few of the those who made it will survive. The arrival of the formidable Morgawr means their survival looks bleak and it spells the end for Grianne Ohmsford if she can not break out the mental abyss that the Sword of Shannara has sent her into. One again Brooks connects the story well and brings each character to a worthy conclusion given their storylines. While the conclusion is enjoyable to read the overall series feels like it’s a little drawn out and could have been covered faster, especially given the futile time the party have in their expedition to Parkasia. The overall story does bring together a number of strands in the overall series together, with an ending that sets up a new course for the Shannara story to follow.
Please click this link for a full book review of Morgawr (The Voyage of the Jerle Shannara) and click here for more book reviews.
The quest that took the crew of the Jerle Shannara to Castledown is coming to an end and it seems that few will survive, especially now that the powerful warlock Morgawr has come to destroy them.
Book Review Summary
An interesting (and somewhat different) storyline for the Shannara series comes to a conclusion. It’s been a trying time for the party led by the Druid Walker who took them across the Blue Divide to Castledown and few of the those who made it will survive. The arrival of the formidable Morgawr means their survival looks bleak and it spells the end for Grianne Ohmsford if she can not break out the mental abyss that the Sword of Shannara has sent her into. One again Brooks connects the story well and brings each character to a worthy conclusion given their storylines. While the conclusion is enjoyable to read the overall series feels like it’s a little drawn out and could have been covered faster, especially given the futile time the party have in their expedition to Parkasia. The overall story does bring together a number of strands in the overall series together, with an ending that sets up a new course for the Shannara story to follow.
Please click this link for a full book review of Morgawr (The Voyage of the Jerle Shannara) and click here for more book reviews.
Tuesday 3 December 2013
Antrax (The Voyage of the Jerle Shannara) – Book Review
Book Synopsis
With the Druid Walker disappeared and the crew of the Jerle Shannara killed at Castledown or imprisoned by the Isle Witch, the survivors must uncover how to escape their enemies and survive the lethal creation known as Antrax.
Book Review Summary
There’s nothing in this book that is ground-breaking that we haven’t seen in the Shannara series or hasn’t already been alluded to in it’s predecessor in the series, the Isle Witch. What there is though is still captivating, as we learn far more about Castledown and what brought specific people along on the quest. Some parts of the story do take a while to get back to covering, such as Walker’s, and some parts of the story don’t progress that far, like Bek’s. However, Terry Brooks is well capable of weaving a tale together and this book certainly feels like it has its part to play in the Voyage of Jerle Shannara trilogy. Readers of the Isle Witch, or who have follower Walker Boh in the Scions of Shannara series, will certainly want to see where his adventure leads him to this time around as he battles Antrax allied by talismans of past victories, including the Sword of Shannara and the Elfstones.
Please click this link for a full book review of Antrax (The Voyage of the Jerle Shannara) and click here for more book reviews.
With the Druid Walker disappeared and the crew of the Jerle Shannara killed at Castledown or imprisoned by the Isle Witch, the survivors must uncover how to escape their enemies and survive the lethal creation known as Antrax.
Book Review Summary
There’s nothing in this book that is ground-breaking that we haven’t seen in the Shannara series or hasn’t already been alluded to in it’s predecessor in the series, the Isle Witch. What there is though is still captivating, as we learn far more about Castledown and what brought specific people along on the quest. Some parts of the story do take a while to get back to covering, such as Walker’s, and some parts of the story don’t progress that far, like Bek’s. However, Terry Brooks is well capable of weaving a tale together and this book certainly feels like it has its part to play in the Voyage of Jerle Shannara trilogy. Readers of the Isle Witch, or who have follower Walker Boh in the Scions of Shannara series, will certainly want to see where his adventure leads him to this time around as he battles Antrax allied by talismans of past victories, including the Sword of Shannara and the Elfstones.
Please click this link for a full book review of Antrax (The Voyage of the Jerle Shannara) and click here for more book reviews.
Sunday 3 November 2013
Ilse Witch (The Voyage of the Jerle Shannara) – Book Review
Book Synopsis
When a dying Elf not seen for thirty years is washed upon the shore of the Four Lands bearing a map, the Druid Walker discovers a magic exists far away that he must recover first else it will fall into the wrong hands.
Book Review Summary
I tried to read this book years ago but after the Heritage of Shannara series I didn’t think the Voyage of the Jerle Shannara series could exceed it. Now having read this book my fears are confirmed. This book is (hopefully) setting up an intriguing story, which still has its roots in the times of Shea, Will, Brin and Jair Ohmsford. There is a good concept behind the book, though not as bad an enemy as the Shadowen, and an array of new characters to get your head around. Undoubtedly, they’ll grow in the following books, as Terry Brooks is great at doing this. It just doesn’t feel like this has been the most exciting book, with so much time spent talking about and preparing for the voyage it’s more of a preparation for something good to come, and that therefore requires perseverance from the reader. While revelations are too easily revealed in this book to build suspense, hopefully Brooks has kept more to come in the rest of the series.
Please click this link for a full book review of Isle Witch (The Voyage of the Jerle Shannara) and click here for more book reviews.
Monday 21 October 2013
Ender’s Game
Book Synopsis
Earth has survived two attacks by an alien army. Now, with a third invasion due, the human race must find the best commanders who can defeat a bigger, stronger enemy.
Book Review Summary
Ender’s Game is a sci-fi book that you just won’t be able to put down. Ender is the reluctant hero, a young boy who just wants to escape the bullies all around him, at home and at school. This is what propels him into the International Fleet’s grip in the first place and firmly keeps him there. This book highlights the struggle children (even brilliant children) have when confronted with those who are envious and want to bully them into submission, or even adults who want to mould a child into doing what it is they want. The story is excellent and captivating, with the suspense of how Ender and his fellow Battle School students will be able to defeat the extreme challenges laid down before them. The future of the human race is in the hands of its youngest but brightest.
Please click this link for a full book review of Ender's Game and click here for more book reviews.
Earth has survived two attacks by an alien army. Now, with a third invasion due, the human race must find the best commanders who can defeat a bigger, stronger enemy.
Book Review Summary
Ender’s Game is a sci-fi book that you just won’t be able to put down. Ender is the reluctant hero, a young boy who just wants to escape the bullies all around him, at home and at school. This is what propels him into the International Fleet’s grip in the first place and firmly keeps him there. This book highlights the struggle children (even brilliant children) have when confronted with those who are envious and want to bully them into submission, or even adults who want to mould a child into doing what it is they want. The story is excellent and captivating, with the suspense of how Ender and his fellow Battle School students will be able to defeat the extreme challenges laid down before them. The future of the human race is in the hands of its youngest but brightest.
Please click this link for a full book review of Ender's Game and click here for more book reviews.
Friday 11 October 2013
The Talismans of Shannara
Book Synopsis
With the Elves returned to the Four Lands, the recovery of the Sword of Shannara and the re-emergence of the Druids, can those charged by Allanon to save the Four Lands resist the evil of the Shadowen and discover the way to end their threat.
Book Review Summary
Writing an interweaving, four-part book series is a tall ask, and the Talismans of Shannara is a brilliant finale to what has been a hugely interesting fantasy series. The story that Terry Brooks has put together has remained faithful to the original Shannara series, building upon the Sword of Shannara, the Elfstones, the wishsong magic and the legend of the Druid Allanon – and building a wonderful story on top. The threat posed by Rimmer Dall and the Shadowen have been a worthy adversary of those who fight for good, being the greatest threat faced by the Four Lands so far. The discovery behind the Shadowen’s power and Par’s wild wishsong magic, with a battle raging that will annihilate the Elves, makes this an exciting and rewarding conclusion to the series.
Please click this link for a full book review of The Talismans of Shannara by Terry Brooks and this link for more book reviews.
With the Elves returned to the Four Lands, the recovery of the Sword of Shannara and the re-emergence of the Druids, can those charged by Allanon to save the Four Lands resist the evil of the Shadowen and discover the way to end their threat.
Book Review Summary
Writing an interweaving, four-part book series is a tall ask, and the Talismans of Shannara is a brilliant finale to what has been a hugely interesting fantasy series. The story that Terry Brooks has put together has remained faithful to the original Shannara series, building upon the Sword of Shannara, the Elfstones, the wishsong magic and the legend of the Druid Allanon – and building a wonderful story on top. The threat posed by Rimmer Dall and the Shadowen have been a worthy adversary of those who fight for good, being the greatest threat faced by the Four Lands so far. The discovery behind the Shadowen’s power and Par’s wild wishsong magic, with a battle raging that will annihilate the Elves, makes this an exciting and rewarding conclusion to the series.
Please click this link for a full book review of The Talismans of Shannara by Terry Brooks and this link for more book reviews.
Thursday 26 September 2013
The Elf Queen of Shannara
Book Synopsis
In order to defeat the Shadowen, Wren Ohmsford must discover where the Elves have disappeared to and return them to the Four Lands.
Book Review Summary
The story of the Elves, the history of their magic and the development of Wren make this an interesting book that forms a cornerstone in the overall Heritage of Shannara story. It has its faults, making this one of the more difficult books to get into in comparison to Terry Brooks’ other Shannara books. However, if you’ve come this far in reading the Heritage of Shannara series you’ll certainly want to read this to discover what the Elves have to tell us about the predicament of the Four Lands, and to join the dots between the days of Brin and Jair Ohmsford and today’s threat to the races. What Wren discovers is a shocking secret that she must tell Par and Walker Boh if together they are are going to be able to defeat the Shadowen’s attempt to destroy the Four Lands.
Please click this link for a full book review of The Elf Queen of Shannara by Terry Brooks and this link for more book reviews.
In order to defeat the Shadowen, Wren Ohmsford must discover where the Elves have disappeared to and return them to the Four Lands.
Book Review Summary
The story of the Elves, the history of their magic and the development of Wren make this an interesting book that forms a cornerstone in the overall Heritage of Shannara story. It has its faults, making this one of the more difficult books to get into in comparison to Terry Brooks’ other Shannara books. However, if you’ve come this far in reading the Heritage of Shannara series you’ll certainly want to read this to discover what the Elves have to tell us about the predicament of the Four Lands, and to join the dots between the days of Brin and Jair Ohmsford and today’s threat to the races. What Wren discovers is a shocking secret that she must tell Par and Walker Boh if together they are are going to be able to defeat the Shadowen’s attempt to destroy the Four Lands.
Please click this link for a full book review of The Elf Queen of Shannara by Terry Brooks and this link for more book reviews.
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