A review by jaredpence
The Talismans of Shannara by Terry Brooks
3.0
Hold the phone. The bad guys big secret, the source of their power, the big ball of light in the basement of Southwatch is...magic? What an underwhelming reveal! Also, it seems a little troubling that the obvious sign of magic is wildflowers. Really? The earth was supposed to be dying because the Shadowen were sucking all the magic out of the earth, but apparently the "earth dying" just means the wildflowers are scarce. I guess I thought the ending was a little disappointing.
Also, what is the point of the sword of Shannara? Its only magic is to reveal the truth (as long as you don't inadvertently block the truth with your own magic--which, if that's possible, wouldn't Brona have known to do that?)? Why is it even a sword then. I don't think this sword is ever used as a fighting weapon or to stab. It is just placed on people or balls of light and then suddenly it does its magic. It seems like there's no reason for it to be a sword. Also, I was annoyed that Coll was finally included as one of the scions of Shannara because he was the only one who could make the sword work, but then turns out Par can also make the sword work once Coll breaks the spell of Par's self doubt. I just felt like we were supposed to get justice for Coll and he was going to be something special, and then he really wasn't that special.
My favorite part of this book was the jokes about Morgan Leah smelling bad.
Also, what is the point of the sword of Shannara? Its only magic is to reveal the truth (as long as you don't inadvertently block the truth with your own magic--which, if that's possible, wouldn't Brona have known to do that?)? Why is it even a sword then. I don't think this sword is ever used as a fighting weapon or to stab. It is just placed on people or balls of light and then suddenly it does its magic. It seems like there's no reason for it to be a sword. Also, I was annoyed that Coll was finally included as one of the scions of Shannara because he was the only one who could make the sword work, but then turns out Par can also make the sword work once Coll breaks the spell of Par's self doubt. I just felt like we were supposed to get justice for Coll and he was going to be something special, and then he really wasn't that special.
My favorite part of this book was the jokes about Morgan Leah smelling bad.