abigcoffeedragon's review against another edition
3.0
Short version, this is the same as the previous two stories - it is a MacGuffin quest, with a group of companions, and some characters die along the way. nothign stands out as great, and a few things annoyed me.
#1 - using the phrase "Mist and Shadow" a few times, not only shows the rip off of Tolkien, but using it multiple times shows lacks of creativity.
#2 - Stamps his sandaled foot - a character did this multiple times, in the exact same descriptive way. it is annoying the repetitiveness in this book.
Also, and this may be a SPOILER if you have not read, but don't worry, cause not really - the druid dies - only to come back at the end to give his world famous "The quest is over now let me monologue about what I new but could not tell you for many pages, so that everything makes sense to you now, though it is over, so who cares" speech.
I am only continuing at this point because I have a few more of the audio books, which are well read, but the work is mediocre at best.
#1 - using the phrase "Mist and Shadow" a few times, not only shows the rip off of Tolkien, but using it multiple times shows lacks of creativity.
#2 - Stamps his sandaled foot - a character did this multiple times, in the exact same descriptive way. it is annoying the repetitiveness in this book.
Also, and this may be a SPOILER if you have not read, but don't worry, cause not really - the druid dies - only to come back at the end to give his world famous "The quest is over now let me monologue about what I new but could not tell you for many pages, so that everything makes sense to you now, though it is over, so who cares" speech.
I am only continuing at this point because I have a few more of the audio books, which are well read, but the work is mediocre at best.
zrobidoux's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
beardedbarista's review against another edition
5.0
I'm giving it five stars because even though it took me forever to read I kinda wanted to keep reading it.
It is another trilogy that I have completed and it feels good.
I was called out to read this series by my friend Wesley and I am glad it was actually worth reading.
The series was different than most that I have read in that the whole set of characters changed from book to book with only one real constant...Allanon. He is a bad ass wizard of sorts and would give ole Gandolf a run for his money in a fight.
Did he just say that?
Yes.
Yes I did. Lord of the Rings fans are furious... But have probably never read this so cant say shit about it :)
Pick up the trilogy. Not sure if I care to read the spinoffs or prequel but the trilogy is def worth a read.
Love you,
Justin
It is another trilogy that I have completed and it feels good.
I was called out to read this series by my friend Wesley and I am glad it was actually worth reading.
The series was different than most that I have read in that the whole set of characters changed from book to book with only one real constant...Allanon. He is a bad ass wizard of sorts and would give ole Gandolf a run for his money in a fight.
Did he just say that?
Yes.
Yes I did. Lord of the Rings fans are furious... But have probably never read this so cant say shit about it :)
Pick up the trilogy. Not sure if I care to read the spinoffs or prequel but the trilogy is def worth a read.
Love you,
Justin
lavinn's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
amandatastic's review against another edition
3.0
This book wasn't bad, but I found myself not caring. Brin was far better a protagonist than Amberele and Wil from the last book, but still not developed enough. When certain people died, I felt like I was supposed to care but I genuinely could not remember who one of them was. The climax was also lacking for me... so much build up for not much, and everything throughout the story was of course near and tidy and worked out so well. All that being said, this wasn't a bad story, and it's worlds better than Sword. In closing, I would like a magical pet panther and that was basically my takeaway from this book.
davehershey's review against another edition
3.0
Is it possible this is the trilogy where each book improves upon the previous? Most times it’s the other way - a fantastic book followed by disappointing ones.
At the very least,both Wishsong and Elfstones improved upon the first. I think I liked Wishsong a hair better than Elfstones. One reason is because it doesn’t include a long battle with huge armies at the end (though it does have one in the middle). It changes things up a bit. Not too much though - all three books are essentially travel stories in search of defeating some evil. What makes this book best for me is Slanter. He’s a gnome, basically an orc. The bad guys. But he’s helping the good guys. He’s conflicted and reluctant. If anything, I wish Brooks had given us more about Gnome culture. Are they bad because they’re deceived, and thus redeemable? Or are they unredeemable, created to be mere evil? Slanter points to the former, and a bit more complexity in the world.
Overall, I planned to just read this trilogy. After the first book, I was sure I’d stop at this one. Now I kind of want to read the rest...but there are so many! We’ll see.
At the very least,both Wishsong and Elfstones improved upon the first. I think I liked Wishsong a hair better than Elfstones. One reason is because it doesn’t include a long battle with huge armies at the end (though it does have one in the middle). It changes things up a bit. Not too much though - all three books are essentially travel stories in search of defeating some evil. What makes this book best for me is Slanter. He’s a gnome, basically an orc. The bad guys. But he’s helping the good guys. He’s conflicted and reluctant. If anything, I wish Brooks had given us more about Gnome culture. Are they bad because they’re deceived, and thus redeemable? Or are they unredeemable, created to be mere evil? Slanter points to the former, and a bit more complexity in the world.
Overall, I planned to just read this trilogy. After the first book, I was sure I’d stop at this one. Now I kind of want to read the rest...but there are so many! We’ll see.
anubis9's review against another edition
3.0
Man, I still remember when this came out new. I was in 7th grade and loved it. I wonder if it would still hold up.
fathershawn's review against another edition
4.0
A worthy conclusion to his first triology. Much richer characters - it is interesting to see writers improve their craft. Plus it was a good story!