lattes_lipstick_literature's review against another edition
4.0
If you want to read my review of the first book in the trilogy you can do that HERE . One of my biggest gripes about the last book was the lack of female representation, Brooks seems to have fixed that with the introduction of Amberle and Eretria. While Amberle was prominent throughout the book Eretria was a bit of a side character. Wil (the main character and grandson to the previous protagonist of the last book) must continue the family business and save the world from darkness. This books pacing was better, yet it still had the long winded history monologues of the first book.
I did like Wil and Amberle, although it pissed me off that no matter how many times Amberle asks Wil to keep her up to date on what was going on Wil still kept things in the dark. It is this weird cliche thing authors use about keeping the women safe and usually ends up just making things worse. Besides that I really enjoyed the book. It was faster paced and seemed to carry more emotion with the characters than the last, at least for me.
Reading this book does make me want to check out the T.V. show, I like comparing books to shows/movies.
I did like Wil and Amberle, although it pissed me off that no matter how many times Amberle asks Wil to keep her up to date on what was going on Wil still kept things in the dark. It is this weird cliche thing authors use about keeping the women safe and usually ends up just making things worse. Besides that I really enjoyed the book. It was faster paced and seemed to carry more emotion with the characters than the last, at least for me.
Reading this book does make me want to check out the T.V. show, I like comparing books to shows/movies.
sejacobson14's review against another edition
5.0
My favorite of the entire Shannara series (might be my favorite Terry Brooks novel).
scroggin_cooper's review against another edition
4.0
Another classic fantasy adventure from Mr. Brooks. Bravo.
I liked Wil a lot more than Shea. Shea just felt like a Gary Stu, Wil makes mistakes in this book, he's also just a more likable guy. His relationship with Amberle felt incredibly realistic. None of the characters felt unnecessary in this book, unlike in the last book where both elves could easily have been cut out of the story. This journey also felt far different from the Lord of the Rings, which I feel is a good thing. In my opinion, the more often you come back to the same tropes and don't do anything with them, they get tired. Brooks expands on these tropes and puts a little twist upon them. The only thing I didn't really like was the Elf-Demon conflict. It just felt a little drawn out.
I liked Wil a lot more than Shea. Shea just felt like a Gary Stu, Wil makes mistakes in this book, he's also just a more likable guy. His relationship with Amberle felt incredibly realistic. None of the characters felt unnecessary in this book, unlike in the last book where both elves could easily have been cut out of the story. This journey also felt far different from the Lord of the Rings, which I feel is a good thing. In my opinion, the more often you come back to the same tropes and don't do anything with them, they get tired. Brooks expands on these tropes and puts a little twist upon them. The only thing I didn't really like was the Elf-Demon conflict. It just felt a little drawn out.
tashshaw's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
rattybluestocking's review against another edition
4.0
I rated this four stars, because I couldn't do three and a half stars which is my actual rating.
I enjoyed this book, very much. I enjoyed the first one too. I do not think I will continue reading the rest of the series though. like I said, I enjoyed the book greatly, but I couldn't really find myself getting into the characters or the story itself. It was well-written, descriptive, and the world was interesting. I'd definitely recommend this book to others who enjoy the sci-fi world akin to Lord of the Rings. I, however, actually preferred the MTV show.
I enjoyed this book, very much. I enjoyed the first one too. I do not think I will continue reading the rest of the series though. like I said, I enjoyed the book greatly, but I couldn't really find myself getting into the characters or the story itself. It was well-written, descriptive, and the world was interesting. I'd definitely recommend this book to others who enjoy the sci-fi world akin to Lord of the Rings. I, however, actually preferred the MTV show.
bookcaptivated's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
a_ghostintheroom's review against another edition
4.0
I don't often read adult fiction, but I decided to give this a go since MTV made this into a show I found myself really enjoying that. The book, however, was wholly different (unsurprisingly) in a lot of plot lines even though Terry Brooks himself helped produce the show. I initially had trouble reading this, as I'm used to the quick-paced way YA is written but I got used to his slow cantor and extremely detailed style. His fantasy world was well formed and with the maps (I love maps!) I could picture the heroes as they moved through the westlands. My biggest disappointment was in Brooks inability to write a female character. Both Amberle and Eretria were flat and unrelatable. After Amberle sacrifices herself, Wil basically takes Eretria home with him because, well, the other one is essentially dead, so.... Strangely enough it was MTV's strong female development that had encouraged me to try to read this in the first place, so it mostly ruined my reading experience to not have Eretria kicking so much ass or Amberle having close to zero interaction with Eretria when MTV had put them in one-on-one scenarios that showed sides of them they couldn't have depicted with Wil in the picture. So, my once in a blue moon opinion is the show was better, and I can't believe I'm saying this, but MTV did it right by the female characters. It should be said though, I did really enjoy the book, Terry Brooks is a great writer and had I not been expecting Eretria to dupe Wil over and over, or for Eretria to be used as the key for the blood fire (thereby making her character valid in a way Brooks failed to do) I would have possibly called this a five-star review.
kayay's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
3.75
kodermike's review against another edition
4.0
I was not overwhelmed by the Sword of Shannara, but wanted to give the original trilogy a solid try. The first fifth of Elfstones was...clunky. Chunky. I am glad I pushed on. Once we got past the initial introduction of the quest, the book was fairly fast-paced. Still awkward in places, but a fun/quick read.
abigcoffeedragon's review against another edition
3.0
This is a slight bit better story than Sword of Shannara, but I still have things that glare out as bad writing.
Alanon loves the sound of his voice apparently, because he rambles on and on at the end of missions about why things happened the way that they did - for someone that has that much information, you would think that he would provide his warriors and questers with more than he does to start their mission - I have helpful information, that I will only share once you get through the trial and tribulation.
Other than that, this was enjoyable enough, but too long for the story that is eventually told.
Alanon loves the sound of his voice apparently, because he rambles on and on at the end of missions about why things happened the way that they did - for someone that has that much information, you would think that he would provide his warriors and questers with more than he does to start their mission - I have helpful information, that I will only share once you get through the trial and tribulation.
Other than that, this was enjoyable enough, but too long for the story that is eventually told.