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The Defenders of Shannara #1
The High Druid's Blade
NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER
Legend has it that Paxon Leah is descended from the royals and warriors who once ruled the Highlands and waged war with magical weapons. But those kings, queens, and heroes are long gone, and there is nothing enchanted about the antique sword that hangs above Paxon’s fireplace. Running his family’s modest shipping business, Paxon leads a quiet life—until extraordinary circumstances overturn his simple world . . . and rewrite his destiny.
When his brash young sister is abducted by a menacing stranger, Paxon races to her rescue with the only weapon he can find. And in a harrowing duel, he is stunned to discover powerful magic unleashed within him—and within his ancestors’ ancient blade. But his formidable new ability is dangerous in untrained hands, and Paxon must master it quickly because his nearly fatal clash with the dark sorcerer Arcannen won’t be his last. Leaving behind home and hearth, he journeys to the keep of the fabled Druid order to learn the secrets of magic and earn the right to become their sworn protector.
But treachery is afoot deep in the Druids’ ranks. And the blackest of sorcery is twisting a helpless innocent into a murderous agent of evil. To halt an insidious plot that threatens not only the Druid order but all the Four Lands, Paxon Leah must summon the profound magic in his blood and the legendary mettle of his elders in the battle fate has chosen him to fight.
Legend has it that Paxon Leah is descended from the royals and warriors who once ruled the Highlands and waged war with magical weapons. But those kings, queens, and heroes are long gone, and there is nothing enchanted about the antique sword that hangs above Paxon’s fireplace. Running his family’s modest shipping business, Paxon leads a quiet life—until extraordinary circumstances overturn his simple world . . . and rewrite his destiny.
When his brash young sister is abducted by a menacing stranger, Paxon races to her rescue with the only weapon he can find. And in a harrowing duel, he is stunned to discover powerful magic unleashed within him—and within his ancestors’ ancient blade. But his formidable new ability is dangerous in untrained hands, and Paxon must master it quickly because his nearly fatal clash with the dark sorcerer Arcannen won’t be his last. Leaving behind home and hearth, he journeys to the keep of the fabled Druid order to learn the secrets of magic and earn the right to become their sworn protector.
But treachery is afoot deep in the Druids’ ranks. And the blackest of sorcery is twisting a helpless innocent into a murderous agent of evil. To halt an insidious plot that threatens not only the Druid order but all the Four Lands, Paxon Leah must summon the profound magic in his blood and the legendary mettle of his elders in the battle fate has chosen him to fight.
305 pages, Hardcover
First published March 11, 2014
421 people are currently reading
9741 people want to read
About the author
Terry Brooks
412 books77.8k followersTerry Brooks was born in Illinois in 1944, where he spent a great deal of his childhood and early adulthood dreaming up stories in and around Sinnissippi Park, the very same park that would eventually become the setting for his bestselling Word & Void trilogy. He went to college and received his undergraduate degree from Hamilton College, where he majored in English Literature, and he received his graduate degree from the School of Law at Washington & Lee University.
A writer since high school, he wrote many stories within the genres of science fiction, western, fiction, and non-fiction, until one semester early in his college years he was given The Lord of the Rings to read. That moment changed Terry's life forever, because in Tolkien's great work he found all the elements needed to fully explore his writing combined in one genre.
He then wrote The Sword of Shannara, the seven year grand result retaining sanity while studying at Washington & Lee University and practicing law. It became the first work of fiction ever to appear on the New York Times trade paperback bestseller list, where it remained for over five months.
A writer since high school, he wrote many stories within the genres of science fiction, western, fiction, and non-fiction, until one semester early in his college years he was given The Lord of the Rings to read. That moment changed Terry's life forever, because in Tolkien's great work he found all the elements needed to fully explore his writing combined in one genre.
He then wrote The Sword of Shannara, the seven year grand result retaining sanity while studying at Washington & Lee University and practicing law. It became the first work of fiction ever to appear on the New York Times trade paperback bestseller list, where it remained for over five months.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 486 reviews
March 9, 2016
Paxon Leah is descended from an ancient line of kings. His family don't rule anymore, but they still harness the magical powers of their ancestors. When his sister is kidnapped by the manipulative sorcerer, Arcannen, Paxon naturally rushes to her rescue. In a rush he grabs the only weapon at hand: the Leah ancestral sword that hangs above the fireplace. When the two eventually face off the magic of the sword is awoken, and Paxon realises the power of the blood that flows through his veins.
He is changed forever.
“Paxon, acting without thinking, brought the blade of his sword up sharply to defend the attack. Then something strange happened. A surge of heat burst inside him and the black blade of the Sword of Leah flared to life, its length gone bright and reflective, its metal infused with greenish snakes that wove their way through its length.”
Paxon is such a strong character. He has grown from a young man to the protector of the Druid order. He learns very quickly. Only after a few hours of vigorous training, and several costly mistakes in the field, he is ready to wield his sword with purpose. It comes naturally to him. Fighting is easy, but making the right choice is harder. Sometimes Paxon doesn’t know quite what to do with the power that his sword has given him. He wants to wield it for the forces of good, but he needs guidance in his youth. It's a good job the druids have taken him in.
Arcannen, on the other hand, is very devious. He’s not the standard villain one would expect in this type of book. He is a powerful sorcerer, but that’s not where his real powers lie. He is a manipulator of people. He has strong ambitions, but he is also a pragmatist. He knows what he is capable, and he knows that he is not invincible. He is cautious and sneaky; he is clever and subtle, but he is also completely unpredictable. He is a dangerous foe because of this, as he is always one step ahead of Paxon’s impetuous youth.
The ending was obvious, but not the route
The plot of this book took many unexpected turns, though eventually it ended up where I expected. However, it didn’t get there by the conventional course. What I thought would be the main plot of the book was over within forty pages. This shocked me a bit when I was reading, but worked nonetheless. It surprised me further when the plot eventually went back to where it originally started about half way through. I liked this because it defied narrative expectations and left trying to guess ahead.
The fantasy world created in this novel is very complete; it is rich in history and mythos. This makes it deep and substantial; it clearly existed before this novel, and will after. It also felt very original. This may be because it is only the second Terry Brooks novel I have read, so I’m not overly familiar with his works. But, either way, it felt new and exciting. I do, however, need to go and read the original Shannara series because I certainly like Terry Brooks’ style.
The Defenders of Shannara
1. The High Druid's Blade- A sharp three stars
2. The Darkling Child- A solid 3.5 stars
He is changed forever.
“Paxon, acting without thinking, brought the blade of his sword up sharply to defend the attack. Then something strange happened. A surge of heat burst inside him and the black blade of the Sword of Leah flared to life, its length gone bright and reflective, its metal infused with greenish snakes that wove their way through its length.”
Paxon is such a strong character. He has grown from a young man to the protector of the Druid order. He learns very quickly. Only after a few hours of vigorous training, and several costly mistakes in the field, he is ready to wield his sword with purpose. It comes naturally to him. Fighting is easy, but making the right choice is harder. Sometimes Paxon doesn’t know quite what to do with the power that his sword has given him. He wants to wield it for the forces of good, but he needs guidance in his youth. It's a good job the druids have taken him in.
Arcannen, on the other hand, is very devious. He’s not the standard villain one would expect in this type of book. He is a powerful sorcerer, but that’s not where his real powers lie. He is a manipulator of people. He has strong ambitions, but he is also a pragmatist. He knows what he is capable, and he knows that he is not invincible. He is cautious and sneaky; he is clever and subtle, but he is also completely unpredictable. He is a dangerous foe because of this, as he is always one step ahead of Paxon’s impetuous youth.
The ending was obvious, but not the route
The plot of this book took many unexpected turns, though eventually it ended up where I expected. However, it didn’t get there by the conventional course. What I thought would be the main plot of the book was over within forty pages. This shocked me a bit when I was reading, but worked nonetheless. It surprised me further when the plot eventually went back to where it originally started about half way through. I liked this because it defied narrative expectations and left trying to guess ahead.
The fantasy world created in this novel is very complete; it is rich in history and mythos. This makes it deep and substantial; it clearly existed before this novel, and will after. It also felt very original. This may be because it is only the second Terry Brooks novel I have read, so I’m not overly familiar with his works. But, either way, it felt new and exciting. I do, however, need to go and read the original Shannara series because I certainly like Terry Brooks’ style.
The Defenders of Shannara
1. The High Druid's Blade- A sharp three stars
2. The Darkling Child- A solid 3.5 stars
November 12, 2017
Originally reviewed at Bookwraiths Reviews
The High Druid's Blade is a fast paced and fun novel that both younger readers and longtime fans will appreciate. While it lacks the complexities of some of Brooks more recent Shannara series, it is still filled with delicate morsels of intriguing lore and enough references to past events in the series to satisfy any Shannara lover’s sweet tooth and pique a new reader’s curiosity, making them quickly seek out other tales from this world. All in all, what Mr. Brooks has gifted fantasy readers with is just the right kind of feel good fantasy that is sorely missing from bookshelves right now.
The story itself revolves around Paxon Leah, a young man who is tied down by responsibility to his family and doesn’t even realize how much he longs to leave his home and find his own life path. Unfortunately, it takes the kidnaping of his sister, Chrys, for him to realize running the family air freight business is not enough for him.
After discovering that his sister has been taken by Arcannen, a sorcerer of some renown in the Southlands, Paxon impetuously follows without any plan other that to bust some heads and retrieve her. Obviously, that doesn’t work out so well for him. So after the sorcerer departs Leah by airship for the city of Wayford, our young hot-head grabs the only weapon he can get his hands on– the legendary Sword of Leah – and sets off to reclaim Chrys from the den of the enemy.
Once in Wayford, Paxon immediately finds someone willing to help him. He is thus able to infiltrate the sorcerer’s lair fairly easily before confronting his sister’s abductor. The struggle that ensues is brief, obviously won by our impetuous Leah, and Chrys retrieved. The two returning home wiser and more wary but not damaged in any major way.
But that is not the end of it. For the clash between Paxon and Arcannen has draws the interest of the Fourth Druid Order, who decide that someone of Paxon’s pedigree (He is the descendant of the marriage of the Ohmsfords and the Leahs.) should return with them to Paranor and train to become a Knight-errant of the Druids. An opportunity that Paxon is startled by but which opens up a future he never knew he wanted so badly. And so off the bearer of the Sword of Leah goes to the citadel of the Druids for training and service for three years; his new life one of danger and adventure as he travels the lands with druids, protecting their backs while they investigate incidents involving magical relics or sorcerer’s causing issues in the Four Lands.
But wait, Paxon has forgotten about something. Arcannen, the sorcerer from Wayford. That slippery scoundrel isn’t finished with our young Leah – neither of them. Not by a long shot. And soon, he strikes again. To deadly effect. And the real story begins.
Most people, I know, either adore Terry Brooks’ Shannara series or dislike it. Doesn’t seem to be much middle ground. As a wayward reader (I really enjoyed the original trilogy when I read it back in the 1980s but have not tried anything since.) I found this reintroduction to Mr. Brooks’ world both enjoyable and intriguing. One of the major reasons why is that I clearly saw that this is a living, growing world that has definitely evolved since The Wishsong of Shannara so long ago. Plus, I must admit, that the addition of airships, magical guns, and all the rest really hinted at an almost “steampunk-like” setting, which really peaked my interest.
As for the tale of Paxon Leah itself, I know that many of my fellow reviewers have said The High Druid’s Blade is somewhat trite, in that, it follows the same old fantasy pattern of simple boy discovers he has powers he did not know about, receives training, and goes on to greater things. I can’t disagree that Mr. Brooks does indeed use that familiar plot. However, that fact alone does not in and of itself make this a simple story, not worthy of a read. Actually, this straight-forward coming-of-age tale about Paxon quickly evolves into one brimming with Shannara lore, containing much political intrigue, and filled with a lot of foreshadowing for future events. More than enough to keep a reader’s attention and develop this into more than just an old-fashioned fantasy romp.
With all that being said, I do believe this novel was targeted toward readers who have no attachment to Shannara. It reads that way with all its references to past stories. And if Mr. Brooks wrote this tale to tempt people into trying additional Shannara stories, it worked with me, because once I finished this book I immediately dropped by my local used bookstore to see if I could find any other tales from the Four Lands. And lots of new readers or young fantasy fans will most definitely follow my lead and use The High Druid’s Blade as a jump off point for their investigation of the living, breathing world of Shannara.
Netgalley and the publisher provided this book to me for free in return for an honest review. The review above was not paid for or influenced in any way by any person, entity or organization, but is my own personal opinions.
The High Druid's Blade is a fast paced and fun novel that both younger readers and longtime fans will appreciate. While it lacks the complexities of some of Brooks more recent Shannara series, it is still filled with delicate morsels of intriguing lore and enough references to past events in the series to satisfy any Shannara lover’s sweet tooth and pique a new reader’s curiosity, making them quickly seek out other tales from this world. All in all, what Mr. Brooks has gifted fantasy readers with is just the right kind of feel good fantasy that is sorely missing from bookshelves right now.
The story itself revolves around Paxon Leah, a young man who is tied down by responsibility to his family and doesn’t even realize how much he longs to leave his home and find his own life path. Unfortunately, it takes the kidnaping of his sister, Chrys, for him to realize running the family air freight business is not enough for him.
After discovering that his sister has been taken by Arcannen, a sorcerer of some renown in the Southlands, Paxon impetuously follows without any plan other that to bust some heads and retrieve her. Obviously, that doesn’t work out so well for him. So after the sorcerer departs Leah by airship for the city of Wayford, our young hot-head grabs the only weapon he can get his hands on– the legendary Sword of Leah – and sets off to reclaim Chrys from the den of the enemy.
Once in Wayford, Paxon immediately finds someone willing to help him. He is thus able to infiltrate the sorcerer’s lair fairly easily before confronting his sister’s abductor. The struggle that ensues is brief, obviously won by our impetuous Leah, and Chrys retrieved. The two returning home wiser and more wary but not damaged in any major way.
But that is not the end of it. For the clash between Paxon and Arcannen has draws the interest of the Fourth Druid Order, who decide that someone of Paxon’s pedigree (He is the descendant of the marriage of the Ohmsfords and the Leahs.) should return with them to Paranor and train to become a Knight-errant of the Druids. An opportunity that Paxon is startled by but which opens up a future he never knew he wanted so badly. And so off the bearer of the Sword of Leah goes to the citadel of the Druids for training and service for three years; his new life one of danger and adventure as he travels the lands with druids, protecting their backs while they investigate incidents involving magical relics or sorcerer’s causing issues in the Four Lands.
But wait, Paxon has forgotten about something. Arcannen, the sorcerer from Wayford. That slippery scoundrel isn’t finished with our young Leah – neither of them. Not by a long shot. And soon, he strikes again. To deadly effect. And the real story begins.
Most people, I know, either adore Terry Brooks’ Shannara series or dislike it. Doesn’t seem to be much middle ground. As a wayward reader (I really enjoyed the original trilogy when I read it back in the 1980s but have not tried anything since.) I found this reintroduction to Mr. Brooks’ world both enjoyable and intriguing. One of the major reasons why is that I clearly saw that this is a living, growing world that has definitely evolved since The Wishsong of Shannara so long ago. Plus, I must admit, that the addition of airships, magical guns, and all the rest really hinted at an almost “steampunk-like” setting, which really peaked my interest.
As for the tale of Paxon Leah itself, I know that many of my fellow reviewers have said The High Druid’s Blade is somewhat trite, in that, it follows the same old fantasy pattern of simple boy discovers he has powers he did not know about, receives training, and goes on to greater things. I can’t disagree that Mr. Brooks does indeed use that familiar plot. However, that fact alone does not in and of itself make this a simple story, not worthy of a read. Actually, this straight-forward coming-of-age tale about Paxon quickly evolves into one brimming with Shannara lore, containing much political intrigue, and filled with a lot of foreshadowing for future events. More than enough to keep a reader’s attention and develop this into more than just an old-fashioned fantasy romp.
With all that being said, I do believe this novel was targeted toward readers who have no attachment to Shannara. It reads that way with all its references to past stories. And if Mr. Brooks wrote this tale to tempt people into trying additional Shannara stories, it worked with me, because once I finished this book I immediately dropped by my local used bookstore to see if I could find any other tales from the Four Lands. And lots of new readers or young fantasy fans will most definitely follow my lead and use The High Druid’s Blade as a jump off point for their investigation of the living, breathing world of Shannara.
Netgalley and the publisher provided this book to me for free in return for an honest review. The review above was not paid for or influenced in any way by any person, entity or organization, but is my own personal opinions.
November 19, 2013
Beginning Note: I am Terry's webmaster and, therefore, as biased as anyone could ever be!
THE HIGH DRUID'S BLADE is the first stand alone Shannara novel since 1996's FIRST KING OF SHANNARA. It tells a complete tale in one volume -- with some threads being woven for the next two stand alone novels in the Defenders of Shannara trilogy.
The story opens in the Highlands of Leah about 150 years after the events of WITCH WRAITH. Paxon Leah is the principle main character, a man possessed of his family's hereditary disposition for finding trouble and acting against it with impetuosity. He is soon taken from his sleepy life and enters one of high intrigue and action, wielding the ancient blade of his family.
But things are much more than they seem. The villain in this book is unlike any we have seen. I will say no more on that topic, given I am already reading the next book, THE DARKLING CHILD, and I don't want to reveal too much.
I will say THE HIGH DRUID'S BLADE lacks the complexity that many Shannara readers have come to expect from the series. Terry has been vocal about this. It is a very different book from what even preceded it in the Dark Legacy of Shannara trilogy. The story of Paxon Leah is far more personal and the book only features two main point of view characters with a smattering of two or three smaller point of view looks. This creates a character in Paxon that the reader gets to know more intimately. If the reader is looking for a complex "end of world" situation, they will be disappointed, but if they want to learn more about a Leah, this is the book for them!
All in all, I'd give this book a 3.75/5. The book starts a little slowly but by the mid-point the reader has no idea where Terry is taking Paxon and his sister, Chrys, and that creates a page turning book that I quickly finished.
This is also the first book that begins to set the stage for the end of the Shannara series. So be prepared to scream these words by the end of the tale:
Leah! Leah!!
THE HIGH DRUID'S BLADE is the first stand alone Shannara novel since 1996's FIRST KING OF SHANNARA. It tells a complete tale in one volume -- with some threads being woven for the next two stand alone novels in the Defenders of Shannara trilogy.
The story opens in the Highlands of Leah about 150 years after the events of WITCH WRAITH. Paxon Leah is the principle main character, a man possessed of his family's hereditary disposition for finding trouble and acting against it with impetuosity. He is soon taken from his sleepy life and enters one of high intrigue and action, wielding the ancient blade of his family.
But things are much more than they seem. The villain in this book is unlike any we have seen. I will say no more on that topic, given I am already reading the next book, THE DARKLING CHILD, and I don't want to reveal too much.
I will say THE HIGH DRUID'S BLADE lacks the complexity that many Shannara readers have come to expect from the series. Terry has been vocal about this. It is a very different book from what even preceded it in the Dark Legacy of Shannara trilogy. The story of Paxon Leah is far more personal and the book only features two main point of view characters with a smattering of two or three smaller point of view looks. This creates a character in Paxon that the reader gets to know more intimately. If the reader is looking for a complex "end of world" situation, they will be disappointed, but if they want to learn more about a Leah, this is the book for them!
All in all, I'd give this book a 3.75/5. The book starts a little slowly but by the mid-point the reader has no idea where Terry is taking Paxon and his sister, Chrys, and that creates a page turning book that I quickly finished.
This is also the first book that begins to set the stage for the end of the Shannara series. So be prepared to scream these words by the end of the tale:
Leah! Leah!!
December 11, 2019
It is hard to believe I have been reading the Shannara books all my life. I read the Sword of Shannara when I was eleven and now at thirty I’m still reading them. Whenever I pick one up and begin the adventure I feel at home. The Four Lands, Paranor, The Forbidding, etc., have been like my old stomping grounds. Whenever I see a new Shannara book at work I always buy it immediately.
Before I begin, I just want to say how I kinda hate the advancing technology starting to take over the Four Lands. Brooks’ portrayal of primitive magic verses advancing technology is brilliant, but for someone like me who remembers “the good ol’ days” of finding the sword and slaying the demon, are pretty much over.
The Federation has conquered much of the Southlands and is starting to rear its ugly head toward the north. The relations between the Druids of Paranor and the Federation are friendly…for now. However, a sinister sorcerer by the name of Arcannen wants to disrupt the fragile peace between the two.
Paxon Leah possesses the blood of both Leah and Ohmsford. He lives with is younger sister, Chrys, in the Southland until the sinister sorcerer, Arcannen, comes and steals her away. Naturally, Paxon grabs the only weapon at hand, the Sword of Leah, and chases after them. He finds his way to Paranor where he begins training as a warrior of Paranor in order to become strong enough to take on the Sorcerer. Chrys is tortured by Arcannen by using magic to poison her mind against the Druid order.
The story was a simple one and a breath of fresh air compared to the action packed doomsday events of the last trilogy. I really liked Paxon Leah. Brooks made a really fun, strong, believable character. With the post-modern idea that writers need to dumb down male characters to make the female ones stand out was not used here and that is something I always admire about Brooks. He loves to make each of his characters stand out in some way. Chrys, although tortured and held captive for most of the book, showed traits of strength and courage through her trials but maintained her feminine qualities. The other women in this book were feminine and strong. I really like how Brooks balances good masculine traits for his male characters and the feminine traits for his female characters.
The only thing I didn’t like about this book is the fact there were no Ohmsford characters. Granted, the Ohmsford blood runs in Paxon and Chrys but it just wasn’t the same. So is the Ohmsford family name swallowed by the Leah name? There has always been an Ohmsford in EVERY Shannara book and in a way this series lacked something by not having one in it. There is no Shannara without an Ohmsford. But anywho, other than that, I REALLY enjoyed jumping in another Shannara adventure and I can’t wait to read the next two!
And it’s pronounced “Sha—Nar—ra” not “Shann—A—ra.” I’ll argue that til the cows come home!!
Before I begin, I just want to say how I kinda hate the advancing technology starting to take over the Four Lands. Brooks’ portrayal of primitive magic verses advancing technology is brilliant, but for someone like me who remembers “the good ol’ days” of finding the sword and slaying the demon, are pretty much over.
The Federation has conquered much of the Southlands and is starting to rear its ugly head toward the north. The relations between the Druids of Paranor and the Federation are friendly…for now. However, a sinister sorcerer by the name of Arcannen wants to disrupt the fragile peace between the two.
Paxon Leah possesses the blood of both Leah and Ohmsford. He lives with is younger sister, Chrys, in the Southland until the sinister sorcerer, Arcannen, comes and steals her away. Naturally, Paxon grabs the only weapon at hand, the Sword of Leah, and chases after them. He finds his way to Paranor where he begins training as a warrior of Paranor in order to become strong enough to take on the Sorcerer. Chrys is tortured by Arcannen by using magic to poison her mind against the Druid order.
The story was a simple one and a breath of fresh air compared to the action packed doomsday events of the last trilogy. I really liked Paxon Leah. Brooks made a really fun, strong, believable character. With the post-modern idea that writers need to dumb down male characters to make the female ones stand out was not used here and that is something I always admire about Brooks. He loves to make each of his characters stand out in some way. Chrys, although tortured and held captive for most of the book, showed traits of strength and courage through her trials but maintained her feminine qualities. The other women in this book were feminine and strong. I really like how Brooks balances good masculine traits for his male characters and the feminine traits for his female characters.
The only thing I didn’t like about this book is the fact there were no Ohmsford characters. Granted, the Ohmsford blood runs in Paxon and Chrys but it just wasn’t the same. So is the Ohmsford family name swallowed by the Leah name? There has always been an Ohmsford in EVERY Shannara book and in a way this series lacked something by not having one in it. There is no Shannara without an Ohmsford. But anywho, other than that, I REALLY enjoyed jumping in another Shannara adventure and I can’t wait to read the next two!
And it’s pronounced “Sha—Nar—ra” not “Shann—A—ra.” I’ll argue that til the cows come home!!
July 8, 2014
From the moment the box from Amazon landed on my desk this morning my disappointment began with this book and sadly my expectations never really got any higher from that moment on.
The parcel was far smaller than I had expected considering I had ordered a hard back edition of the latest Shannarah work, so with fingers crossed I opened it hoping to find some ingenious new economical style of book that would cram a lot of words into a small number of pages. Sadly I was only part right, there was indeed only a small number of pages.
It seems that Mr Brooks' works are getting shorter and shorter with every novel and this story might just be the shortest yet coming in at a very brief 306 pages. Assuming an average of 300-350 words to a page that leaves us with a novel that is at best 107,000 words and more likely closer to the bottom end 92,000 words. With that kind of word count I wonder what there is to justify the RRP of £20 for this book as it clearly isn't quantity. Hopefully then the quality would make up for it...
Sadly this isn't the case either.
I have been of the opinion that the Shannarah series has been struggling since the Gennesis of Shannarah trilogy. Since then the stories seem to have been vague (and sometimes a little more blatant) copies of earlier novels in this great series. After the events of the very last book I was hoping that this story would really raise the bar and bring something new to this series, progress the overall story and develop the world a little bit more as the older books did with every new trilogy/sub series.
Putting aside the fact the writing was a little stilted to start with and the problem that the characters were not nearly so well rounded or instantly likeable as is usually the case with Mr Brooks' writing, initially my hopes began to raise a little at the start of this story. There are a couple of chapters right at the beginning that seem to act as a long prologue that are both the usual summation of everything that has happened in the Shannarah series before as well as serve as an introduction to the title character.
I was a little surprised when these chapters, that felt very much like the start of the stereotypical quest to save a loved one, reaches a conclusion only one or two chapters later. In fact it happened so fast it seemed a little clumsy but that could be forgiven as the direction the novel went at this point was genuinely quite new for this series.
After learning about his magic the protagonist goes to Paranor and there he finds employment in what I could only describe as an almost policing position. For a few chapters I almost felt as though this was going to turn into some kind of detective procedural based in the Shannarah world and I was excited simply because it was something new to sink my teeth into. Again it was all unfolding really quickly and the story was kind of stumbling over itself but it was a new direction and it was interesting... but not to last.
As you hit the half way point of the novel (which is only 150 pages in!!) suddenly this story falls back to old story lines.
What happens from here is pretty much the same as what you've seen before. People race around on air ships, there are a few fights, people are saved and we are left with a bit of an uncertain ending that will lead into the next book.
So, all in all this is another disappointing outing for Shannarah. The writing is not nearly to the standard it used to be, the story is similar to what has gone before and the characters are very one dimensional.
By far my biggest gripe is still the length of this book. When an author is only putting out one to two books a year and expecting their readers to pay £20+ for their works then they need to reward us with at least something we can sink our teeth into. What is worse is that probably a quarter of this book is characters explaining what just happened to other characters, or pages of self reflection where characters explain what just happened to themselves which we already know because we had just read it. At one point there were actually three full pages that was nothing more than a summation of the novel up to that point... three pages!!
A sub par effort on this one and though it pains me to say it as Shannarah has long been one of my favourite series and on my "must read on the day of release" list, this is the last of the Shannarah books that I will pay full price for a hardcover edition. From now on its back to the less expensive risk of buying paperbacks or maybe even an ebook. Why waste the money on what I have read time and again before?
The parcel was far smaller than I had expected considering I had ordered a hard back edition of the latest Shannarah work, so with fingers crossed I opened it hoping to find some ingenious new economical style of book that would cram a lot of words into a small number of pages. Sadly I was only part right, there was indeed only a small number of pages.
It seems that Mr Brooks' works are getting shorter and shorter with every novel and this story might just be the shortest yet coming in at a very brief 306 pages. Assuming an average of 300-350 words to a page that leaves us with a novel that is at best 107,000 words and more likely closer to the bottom end 92,000 words. With that kind of word count I wonder what there is to justify the RRP of £20 for this book as it clearly isn't quantity. Hopefully then the quality would make up for it...
Sadly this isn't the case either.
I have been of the opinion that the Shannarah series has been struggling since the Gennesis of Shannarah trilogy. Since then the stories seem to have been vague (and sometimes a little more blatant) copies of earlier novels in this great series. After the events of the very last book I was hoping that this story would really raise the bar and bring something new to this series, progress the overall story and develop the world a little bit more as the older books did with every new trilogy/sub series.
Putting aside the fact the writing was a little stilted to start with and the problem that the characters were not nearly so well rounded or instantly likeable as is usually the case with Mr Brooks' writing, initially my hopes began to raise a little at the start of this story. There are a couple of chapters right at the beginning that seem to act as a long prologue that are both the usual summation of everything that has happened in the Shannarah series before as well as serve as an introduction to the title character.
I was a little surprised when these chapters, that felt very much like the start of the stereotypical quest to save a loved one, reaches a conclusion only one or two chapters later. In fact it happened so fast it seemed a little clumsy but that could be forgiven as the direction the novel went at this point was genuinely quite new for this series.
After learning about his magic the protagonist goes to Paranor and there he finds employment in what I could only describe as an almost policing position. For a few chapters I almost felt as though this was going to turn into some kind of detective procedural based in the Shannarah world and I was excited simply because it was something new to sink my teeth into. Again it was all unfolding really quickly and the story was kind of stumbling over itself but it was a new direction and it was interesting... but not to last.
As you hit the half way point of the novel (which is only 150 pages in!!) suddenly this story falls back to old story lines.
What happens from here is pretty much the same as what you've seen before. People race around on air ships, there are a few fights, people are saved and we are left with a bit of an uncertain ending that will lead into the next book.
So, all in all this is another disappointing outing for Shannarah. The writing is not nearly to the standard it used to be, the story is similar to what has gone before and the characters are very one dimensional.
By far my biggest gripe is still the length of this book. When an author is only putting out one to two books a year and expecting their readers to pay £20+ for their works then they need to reward us with at least something we can sink our teeth into. What is worse is that probably a quarter of this book is characters explaining what just happened to other characters, or pages of self reflection where characters explain what just happened to themselves which we already know because we had just read it. At one point there were actually three full pages that was nothing more than a summation of the novel up to that point... three pages!!
A sub par effort on this one and though it pains me to say it as Shannarah has long been one of my favourite series and on my "must read on the day of release" list, this is the last of the Shannarah books that I will pay full price for a hardcover edition. From now on its back to the less expensive risk of buying paperbacks or maybe even an ebook. Why waste the money on what I have read time and again before?
November 8, 2023
4.25/5
Aside from a few minor gripes I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I had some issues with the beginning of the book and around the middle section but I really liked how the story did not follow the basic structure that most of the books/subseries in the series.
Aside from a few minor gripes I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I had some issues with the beginning of the book and around the middle section but I really liked how the story did not follow the basic structure that most of the books/subseries in the series.
July 1, 2016
#27/29 in my Epic Shannara Quest.
I had heard a lot about Brooks' latest trilogy in the Shannara series: The Defenders of Shannara. It was said that Brooks wrote them as YA novels. Other reviews said that they were written so a new generation could dive into the world of Shannara without having to read the previous 20+ book in the series. But after reading the first in the series, I'm left wondering who exactly is Brooks audience here.
The first half of The High Druid's Blade reads like low-grade fan fiction. It presents a new hero, Paxon Leah, struggling to find his way in life. When his sister, Chrysallin, is kidnapped, presumably to work in the Federations pleasure dens of Wayford, Paxson sets out to rescue her and in the process discovers the magic of the ancient Sword of Leah, his family's heirloom from the days when the Leah family were kings and queens of Leah.
Fine, if somewhat rushed and not particularly well-written. But, the story later delves into a multi-chapter excursion on the sexual torture (which turns out to be mental, not physical) administered to the 15-year-old Chrysallin in furtherance of some unknown plot. Not only is this sequence disturbing, but it reads like it was written by a boy with a 6th-grade education unsuccessfully trying to find the words to explain an embarrassing wet dream to his friends.
But around the half-way point, the story picks up and comes around to a decent conclusion. It's almost as if the first half was written by a different person and Brooks finished it. This isn't the way I wanted my Quest to end, so I'm hopeful the remaining two book in the series are better, though Defenders is not promising to be very memorable.
I had heard a lot about Brooks' latest trilogy in the Shannara series: The Defenders of Shannara. It was said that Brooks wrote them as YA novels. Other reviews said that they were written so a new generation could dive into the world of Shannara without having to read the previous 20+ book in the series. But after reading the first in the series, I'm left wondering who exactly is Brooks audience here.
The first half of The High Druid's Blade reads like low-grade fan fiction. It presents a new hero, Paxon Leah, struggling to find his way in life. When his sister, Chrysallin, is kidnapped, presumably to work in the Federations pleasure dens of Wayford, Paxson sets out to rescue her and in the process discovers the magic of the ancient Sword of Leah, his family's heirloom from the days when the Leah family were kings and queens of Leah.
Fine, if somewhat rushed and not particularly well-written. But, the story later delves into a multi-chapter excursion on the sexual torture (which turns out to be mental, not physical) administered to the 15-year-old Chrysallin in furtherance of some unknown plot. Not only is this sequence disturbing, but it reads like it was written by a boy with a 6th-grade education unsuccessfully trying to find the words to explain an embarrassing wet dream to his friends.
But around the half-way point, the story picks up and comes around to a decent conclusion. It's almost as if the first half was written by a different person and Brooks finished it. This isn't the way I wanted my Quest to end, so I'm hopeful the remaining two book in the series are better, though Defenders is not promising to be very memorable.
December 7, 2017
Alright.. Come at me and yell at me, I’m ready..
DNF @ 20%
I am so sorry? But life is way to short to read books you don’t enjoy.
And the sad part is that I actually liked the first pages you know.. It was alot of adventure and interest, but around 70 pages took me MONTHS to read?! It should not take that long! 😫
I was just so bored and didn’t have a reason to finish it! Our maincharacter Paxon(?) is great and all but hell.. the writing just doesn’t stick with me. I tried, I really really did. I even read short books in between and looked up the tv-show based on this series but I couldn’t get into it, no matter what.
1.5/5 Stars for good effort
DNF @ 20%
I am so sorry? But life is way to short to read books you don’t enjoy.
And the sad part is that I actually liked the first pages you know.. It was alot of adventure and interest, but around 70 pages took me MONTHS to read?! It should not take that long! 😫
I was just so bored and didn’t have a reason to finish it! Our maincharacter Paxon(?) is great and all but hell.. the writing just doesn’t stick with me. I tried, I really really did. I even read short books in between and looked up the tv-show based on this series but I couldn’t get into it, no matter what.
1.5/5 Stars for good effort
May 22, 2017
If enjoy this series . Will enjoy this book . A great hero and villain. So good action . Over all one best fantasy writer out there
July 12, 2014
There was a point, in this book, when I really didn't think it was going to make it all the way to the 3-star mark that I gave it. A somewhat strong final third of the book, and probably my great affinity for Terry Brooks jaded me enough to give it the three, but I was really looking forward to a new, stand-alone Terry Brooks book and I'd be less than honest if I didn't say that overall, I'm a bit disappointed.
I hate when reviewers talk about telling instead of showing like they just got through with some 101 course in creative writing at the local community college, but I also feel like I can't avoid doing so myself here. The first two thirds of the books lacked the usual Terry Brooks color and depth. There was a lot of--first this happened, then that happened, then he said this, then she said that, then they went here, then they did that--I didn't feel like I was emerged in the amazing world of Shannara, like I usually am. I felt like someone was telling me a story about Shannara characters.
Defenders of the book will say that my issues are with it being a different kind of Shannara book. The truth is that I don't have a problem with this book not having any end-of-the-world consequences attached to it, or that it principally revolved around just one character, but it lacked the intensity that those books have and that is an issue for me. To the characters involved, it was an intense, world-changing situation, but it didn't have that feel to it. It didn't have that depth.
There were opportunities though. The main character, Paxon Leah, goes through a "training period" in the book. This could have been an amazing opportunity. It could have been Luke with Yoda on Dagobah. It could have been Harry taking personal lessons from Dumbledore. It could have been a chance to really get into the core of magic and those who wield it in the Four Lands, but all it wound up being was Paxon learning not to accidentally fall on his sword.
I also had an issue with some discrepancies with the magic. I don't think there are any spoilers here when I say that the Sword of Leah is involved in this story, and there is some evolution to the magic contained within it that is explained by the Druids teaching Paxon how to use it--something that's never really been done before--but then, there's a scene where Paxon is chasing down a gollum, a creation of magic, made by a witch and the sword only acts like a regular sword. It cuts off parts of the creature, but when Allanon created it, back in The Wishsong of Shannara, it cut right through and destroyed powerfully magic creatures like the Mord Wraiths. It's a weapon meant to overcome magical creatures--but for some reason, when it cut into this gollum, all it did was cut it's paws off. That was a big disconnect for me. If anything, the sword has more power with a user who understands the magic, but it didn't immediately kill such a minor, lesser evil magic. That bothered me, a lot.
I don't know. If you're a Shannara fan, read it. If you aren't, please don't start with this one. This book was written as an entry point for those who haven't read the rest, but I would never want someone to do that. I would never want them to think that this is what Terry Brooks and his Shannara series is all about. Go back and start with Elfstones--you'll be ahead of the game when the TV show starts on MTV. I can't recommend this book to those who have never read Brooks though. This is a pale reflection of his better work. It's okay for those who want a new installment but it'll go down as one of my least favorite of all Brooks' amazing books.
I hate when reviewers talk about telling instead of showing like they just got through with some 101 course in creative writing at the local community college, but I also feel like I can't avoid doing so myself here. The first two thirds of the books lacked the usual Terry Brooks color and depth. There was a lot of--first this happened, then that happened, then he said this, then she said that, then they went here, then they did that--I didn't feel like I was emerged in the amazing world of Shannara, like I usually am. I felt like someone was telling me a story about Shannara characters.
Defenders of the book will say that my issues are with it being a different kind of Shannara book. The truth is that I don't have a problem with this book not having any end-of-the-world consequences attached to it, or that it principally revolved around just one character, but it lacked the intensity that those books have and that is an issue for me. To the characters involved, it was an intense, world-changing situation, but it didn't have that feel to it. It didn't have that depth.
There were opportunities though. The main character, Paxon Leah, goes through a "training period" in the book. This could have been an amazing opportunity. It could have been Luke with Yoda on Dagobah. It could have been Harry taking personal lessons from Dumbledore. It could have been a chance to really get into the core of magic and those who wield it in the Four Lands, but all it wound up being was Paxon learning not to accidentally fall on his sword.
I also had an issue with some discrepancies with the magic. I don't think there are any spoilers here when I say that the Sword of Leah is involved in this story, and there is some evolution to the magic contained within it that is explained by the Druids teaching Paxon how to use it--something that's never really been done before--but then, there's a scene where Paxon is chasing down a gollum, a creation of magic, made by a witch and the sword only acts like a regular sword. It cuts off parts of the creature, but when Allanon created it, back in The Wishsong of Shannara, it cut right through and destroyed powerfully magic creatures like the Mord Wraiths. It's a weapon meant to overcome magical creatures--but for some reason, when it cut into this gollum, all it did was cut it's paws off. That was a big disconnect for me. If anything, the sword has more power with a user who understands the magic, but it didn't immediately kill such a minor, lesser evil magic. That bothered me, a lot.
I don't know. If you're a Shannara fan, read it. If you aren't, please don't start with this one. This book was written as an entry point for those who haven't read the rest, but I would never want someone to do that. I would never want them to think that this is what Terry Brooks and his Shannara series is all about. Go back and start with Elfstones--you'll be ahead of the game when the TV show starts on MTV. I can't recommend this book to those who have never read Brooks though. This is a pale reflection of his better work. It's okay for those who want a new installment but it'll go down as one of my least favorite of all Brooks' amazing books.
January 5, 2023
Ah Terry Brooks, boy have I missed your books! It has been almost 2 years since I've read any Shannara books, and I must say that is too long a time!
From the first chapter, this book reminded me of why I fell in love with Terry Brook's writing style. Terry truly has a hopeful optimism and fun adventure style that seeps into the entire story that just pulls me in and never lets go.
The first 44 pages of this book could have been an entire book in and of themselves, but Brooks wanted to tell that story quickly so as to fit more in the book. Where previous books are long journeys, this book has characters crossing the entire continent in the span of one chapter. Because of that, this book is incredibly fast paced and highly action packed! There are so many action scenes in this book that might make for the most action sequences of any Brooks book.
That being said, this is actually the smallest scale Shannara book out there. There is no major journey to find a hidden magic weapon, no end-of-the-world villain threatening the Four Lands, and no major world spanning hook that every other Shannara book has. Instead, this book is more personal and the stakes are smaller and more intimate.
Brooks has the characters go to Wayford and fight Arcannan WAY too many times. 1 time at the beginning and 1 time at the end would have been ok, but it happens throughout the book, and thus the stakes didn't properly weigh a lot.
There were several "montages" to speed up the story which contributed to it being fast paced. I didn't mind that, it just felt odd for a Shannara story.
Overall, this was a fun book that hooked me back into the Shannara universe, and I cannot wait to read the rest. However, I don't really know where the story is going, because this is largely a self-contained book. I'll be interested to see how Brooks makes it big in the end. 7.2 out of 10!
From the first chapter, this book reminded me of why I fell in love with Terry Brook's writing style. Terry truly has a hopeful optimism and fun adventure style that seeps into the entire story that just pulls me in and never lets go.
The first 44 pages of this book could have been an entire book in and of themselves, but Brooks wanted to tell that story quickly so as to fit more in the book. Where previous books are long journeys, this book has characters crossing the entire continent in the span of one chapter. Because of that, this book is incredibly fast paced and highly action packed! There are so many action scenes in this book that might make for the most action sequences of any Brooks book.
That being said, this is actually the smallest scale Shannara book out there. There is no major journey to find a hidden magic weapon, no end-of-the-world villain threatening the Four Lands, and no major world spanning hook that every other Shannara book has. Instead, this book is more personal and the stakes are smaller and more intimate.
Brooks has the characters go to Wayford and fight Arcannan WAY too many times. 1 time at the beginning and 1 time at the end would have been ok, but it happens throughout the book, and thus the stakes didn't properly weigh a lot.
There were several "montages" to speed up the story which contributed to it being fast paced. I didn't mind that, it just felt odd for a Shannara story.
Overall, this was a fun book that hooked me back into the Shannara universe, and I cannot wait to read the rest. However, I don't really know where the story is going, because this is largely a self-contained book. I'll be interested to see how Brooks makes it big in the end. 7.2 out of 10!
February 11, 2014
Be careful what you ask for. I have been a reader of Terry Brooks since first reading Elfstones of Shannara in middle school which really got me into fantasy as a genre. I still feel Elfstones and Wishsong are fantastic books. Over the past few years I have been suffering from a little Shannara fatigue and was starting to feel the series might be played out. Too often things felt really formulaic: there is always an Ohmsford, a Leah, an elf, a druid, etc. None of the past few series really stood out for me and started to feel like I was reading the same books I had read before. When I heard about The High Druids blade I was a little excited. Finally the author was going to do something new. Move away from the Ohmsfords and take the series in a new direction. And he did....and didn't. The first half of this book left me feeling a little cold. Even at his worst, Terry's books are still an enjoyable read. A lot of the earlier parts of the book felt like I was reading an outline. The antagonist and protagonist were not really filled in for me as characters. Paxon became just another faceless Leah amongst a long line of basically unremarkable and interchangeable Leahs. Arcannanan was the bad guy but not interestingly so. Our character's stories and motivations felt like they were really lacking. In the past, Brook's most compelling characters have been the ones with the most complex or complicated history. The weapon's master always driven to find the ultimate challenge, the druid Allanon, last of his kind, Jair and Brinn and the wishsong, etc. Arcannan, Paxon, and Chrys are all unremarkable and rather uninteresting. Later in the book the daughter of Arcannan, and the druid Starks all have a certain gravitas which the main characters seem to be lacking. The final quarter of the book shines as the best. It's like at that point Brooks finally took the time to flesh in the characters. The High Druids Blade had such a strong finish that I am actually looking forward to the next book in the series. I have a little hope that Shannara has a little life left in it, and that Brooks will surprise us with something completely unexpected.
May 18, 2019
This isn’t a great fantasy novel – I’m not even entirely sure it qualifies as a good one – but it was satisfying enough for me to finish it as an e-book, and that rates it something. Brooks gives us a world of good and evil in conflict, with magic and mystery, and a fairly straight-forward coming-of-age tale for the main character, and all together, it works, even if it isn’t exactly brilliant. Actually, the one thing that got in the way of my enjoyment was how often the characters (especially the villains) behaved stupidly when all the information was clearly laid out for them t see what was going to happen. Brooks has a tendency to telegraph his “surprises,” and that makes it all the harder to believe when the characters can’t figure out the obvious. He also has a definite weak spot in terms of writing romantic situations, and especially his female characters’ behavior in those situations speaks of a man who hasn’t dated a lot of different people in his lifetime. The world this novel is set in was created through a large number of previous series, and there’s also a tendency to refer back to ancient lore that comes from other books, but it’s not hard to follow whether you’ve read them or not. In all, a middling effort, but I’ll probably return to Brooks for diversion in the future.
February 28, 2014
You can find this review and others on The Nomadic Reader.
The High Druid’s Blade started out with a strong story, but the writing style (in my opinion) did not do it justice. The reader meets Paxon, a young boy doing what he can to help out his family. He has a sister who he is very protective of. She gets herself into some pretty serious trouble, and he goes to rescue her out of it. It felt like the first half of the book was missing a lot of descriptions. I likened it to an overview, it went along the lines of “John got up. John had breakfast. John got on his airship and flew for 5 hours, then John landed.” – I couldn't relate to the characters or their world because I wasn't given enough information.
Through an unusual series of events (ie: I couldn't believe just how things “worked out”) Paxon goes to stay with the Druids who are training him for combat. They need a protector after all. While he is staying with them his sister is kidnapped by the evil Arcannan (or so he assumes) and he once more has to go to her rescue. About mid way through the book the story shifts to the sisters point of view. Things start getting a LOT more detailed but because it’s a torture scene with an underaged girl it felt very awkward. Not because of the scene itself but because this descriptive writing wasn't in the first half of the book and I found it frustrating that the author had decided to inject it only for the torture scenes.
It felt like throughout the story things just naturally seemed to be ‘too good to be true’ making Paxon, his sister, the druids, and the small handful of other characters unbelieveable. Near the end things get more realistic, more descriptive and that is the portion I enjoyed. I started connecting to the characters just as the novel was ending. I’m not sure if I'll continue with the series as this was only the first book, but it was enough to pique my interest.
The book releases March 11th, and while I did have issues with the writing style I really enjoyed the plot. I received this ARC through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
3/5 stars
The High Druid’s Blade started out with a strong story, but the writing style (in my opinion) did not do it justice. The reader meets Paxon, a young boy doing what he can to help out his family. He has a sister who he is very protective of. She gets herself into some pretty serious trouble, and he goes to rescue her out of it. It felt like the first half of the book was missing a lot of descriptions. I likened it to an overview, it went along the lines of “John got up. John had breakfast. John got on his airship and flew for 5 hours, then John landed.” – I couldn't relate to the characters or their world because I wasn't given enough information.
Through an unusual series of events (ie: I couldn't believe just how things “worked out”) Paxon goes to stay with the Druids who are training him for combat. They need a protector after all. While he is staying with them his sister is kidnapped by the evil Arcannan (or so he assumes) and he once more has to go to her rescue. About mid way through the book the story shifts to the sisters point of view. Things start getting a LOT more detailed but because it’s a torture scene with an underaged girl it felt very awkward. Not because of the scene itself but because this descriptive writing wasn't in the first half of the book and I found it frustrating that the author had decided to inject it only for the torture scenes.
It felt like throughout the story things just naturally seemed to be ‘too good to be true’ making Paxon, his sister, the druids, and the small handful of other characters unbelieveable. Near the end things get more realistic, more descriptive and that is the portion I enjoyed. I started connecting to the characters just as the novel was ending. I’m not sure if I'll continue with the series as this was only the first book, but it was enough to pique my interest.
The book releases March 11th, and while I did have issues with the writing style I really enjoyed the plot. I received this ARC through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
3/5 stars
October 10, 2018
Synonyms for the word Anew:
-again
-once again
-once more
-afresh
-newly
-over again
This is quite possibly the worst Shannara book in the entire series. Recycled storylines and flat characters made this short book extremely difficult to get through. It was also in dire need of some editing. Im hoping this is just a slight hiccup and the rest of the series will redeem this first volume.
-again
-once again
-once more
-afresh
-newly
-over again
This is quite possibly the worst Shannara book in the entire series. Recycled storylines and flat characters made this short book extremely difficult to get through. It was also in dire need of some editing. Im hoping this is just a slight hiccup and the rest of the series will redeem this first volume.
January 1, 2023
5 star - Perfect
4 star - i would recommend
3 star - good
2 star - struggled to complete
1 star - could not finish
The originality from the series is just gone.
I wish when reading this i can enjoy the world like I used to. But so much of the book is just obvious, and seems like the book is a cookie cutter copy from other books.
4 star - i would recommend
3 star - good
2 star - struggled to complete
1 star - could not finish
The originality from the series is just gone.
I wish when reading this i can enjoy the world like I used to. But so much of the book is just obvious, and seems like the book is a cookie cutter copy from other books.
January 29, 2018
This book really doesn't obey the rule of 'show don't tell', and it suffers for it. Unfortunate, because the plot had potential
June 9, 2014
As many friends and regular readers know, I've been a fan of Terry Brooks since I was introduced to Sword, Wishsong and Elfstones books in Junior High School. I devoured them and found a taste for his style of fantasy adventure. For many years after that I regularly read each of his books as they were released and eagerly looked forward to the next volume. In recent years, I haven't been as diligent at keeping on top of his yearly (sometimes twice yearly) releases but I still have a fair amount of nostalgia towards Brook and Shannara and I am indebted to his books for helping to respark a love of reading that threatened to wane a little through middle school.
In his latest book, The High Druid's Blade, we're introduced to new characters and new plot but it does have a large sense of familiarity. The book is set within the Federation reign and druid rebirth sometime after the High Druid and Dark Legacy series. The book is listed as part of the Defenders of Shannara series but I've read that the intent is to have 3 stand alone novels in the series rather than a serial story. So, as you might expect, this novel wraps things up with moderate tidiness.
As is common in other Shannara stories, the central characters in this book are descendants of a powerful family. This time, it's the Leah family. Even though the Leah's have been involved in the novels since the first Shannara book, I believe this is the first time a Leah was the central character rather than a supporting actor helping out the Ohmsfords or others.
We are introduced to teenage brother and sister Paxton and Chrysallin Leah. Paxon spends his days managing the family air shipping business while Chrys apparently spends her days trying to get into trouble by being a flirty little teenage troublemaker. For those unfamiliar with the family heritage, Brooks gives us a little background and points readers to the heirloom sword of Leah which, many years ago, held mystical powers and helped slay demons and turn the courses of numerous battles. Today it hangs as a reminder of days gone by.
Once we're adequately appraised of the mundane lifestyle of the Leah's things are thrown into upheaval. Chrys's friend rushes over to Paxon to reveal that Chyrs has just made a stupid bet in a dice game and gambled away her freedom to a stranger. Paxon races to the pub to get details and help pay the debt but instead finds Arcannen, the man who won Chrys. He shows Paxon, from a distance, that Chrys is very willingly boarding his airship bound for the big city where she'll serve in his house of ill repute. Paxon tries to fight the situation but cannot. Instead, he rushes home, grabs some supplies and the sword of Leah and sets of to free his sister.
As you might expect, Arcannen is not your ordinary businessman looking to add another harlot to his bordello. Rather, he hoped Paxon would come for his sister and bring the sword. And yet, in spite of an elaborate scheme, Paxon somehow manages to free his sister and return home. While there was some fun action in the escape scene and there was magic involved, the whole thing felt way too lucky to be believable.
Setting believability aside, Paxon returns home and is approached by the druids who want him to come and wield the sword of Leah in a sort of bodyguard position. Since he was disatisfied with the airship business anyway, he agrees and leaves his home and family, exacting a promise from Chrys that she'll stay safe and not make any stupid decisions. He spends the next many months training and learning how to use a sword properly and how to hone the innate magic of the family heriloom. Naturally Chrys is not safe and Arcannen makes an appearance again causing Paxon to set off on a quest, this time with the help of the druids though still largely on his own. There are a few moderate twists and turns in the plot though even those had a twinge of familiarity as I think back to earlier Shannara books.
The plot was relatively quick and fluid with solid adventure elements and fair character building. In my experience, I've generally found the psychological interactions between the characters to be stronger than some of the story arcs in Brooks' books. This time, they felt pretty balanced at the detriment of the character building. Sadly they felt a little watered down and static. I definitely enjoyed the book for the nostalgia and for the fun adventure that always permeates the Shannara story. But I missed some of the depth and meat that's been present in Brooks' work of the past. Compared with some of his more epic stories (such as the Genesis or Heritage series) or his more contemporary Knight & Void stories, this book felt a little more flat or maybe more "bubble-gum"-y. A night light adventure but not much more too it. That said, it did accomplish its goal. It entertained me and I had fun reading it. Even when believability was stretched I was still drawn in enough to enjoy the story and accept the little hiccups. So not the best Brooks out there, but still an adventure worthy of the Shannara title.
In his latest book, The High Druid's Blade, we're introduced to new characters and new plot but it does have a large sense of familiarity. The book is set within the Federation reign and druid rebirth sometime after the High Druid and Dark Legacy series. The book is listed as part of the Defenders of Shannara series but I've read that the intent is to have 3 stand alone novels in the series rather than a serial story. So, as you might expect, this novel wraps things up with moderate tidiness.
As is common in other Shannara stories, the central characters in this book are descendants of a powerful family. This time, it's the Leah family. Even though the Leah's have been involved in the novels since the first Shannara book, I believe this is the first time a Leah was the central character rather than a supporting actor helping out the Ohmsfords or others.
We are introduced to teenage brother and sister Paxton and Chrysallin Leah. Paxon spends his days managing the family air shipping business while Chrys apparently spends her days trying to get into trouble by being a flirty little teenage troublemaker. For those unfamiliar with the family heritage, Brooks gives us a little background and points readers to the heirloom sword of Leah which, many years ago, held mystical powers and helped slay demons and turn the courses of numerous battles. Today it hangs as a reminder of days gone by.
Once we're adequately appraised of the mundane lifestyle of the Leah's things are thrown into upheaval. Chrys's friend rushes over to Paxon to reveal that Chyrs has just made a stupid bet in a dice game and gambled away her freedom to a stranger. Paxon races to the pub to get details and help pay the debt but instead finds Arcannen, the man who won Chrys. He shows Paxon, from a distance, that Chrys is very willingly boarding his airship bound for the big city where she'll serve in his house of ill repute. Paxon tries to fight the situation but cannot. Instead, he rushes home, grabs some supplies and the sword of Leah and sets of to free his sister.
As you might expect, Arcannen is not your ordinary businessman looking to add another harlot to his bordello. Rather, he hoped Paxon would come for his sister and bring the sword. And yet, in spite of an elaborate scheme, Paxon somehow manages to free his sister and return home. While there was some fun action in the escape scene and there was magic involved, the whole thing felt way too lucky to be believable.
Setting believability aside, Paxon returns home and is approached by the druids who want him to come and wield the sword of Leah in a sort of bodyguard position. Since he was disatisfied with the airship business anyway, he agrees and leaves his home and family, exacting a promise from Chrys that she'll stay safe and not make any stupid decisions. He spends the next many months training and learning how to use a sword properly and how to hone the innate magic of the family heriloom. Naturally Chrys is not safe and Arcannen makes an appearance again causing Paxon to set off on a quest, this time with the help of the druids though still largely on his own. There are a few moderate twists and turns in the plot though even those had a twinge of familiarity as I think back to earlier Shannara books.
The plot was relatively quick and fluid with solid adventure elements and fair character building. In my experience, I've generally found the psychological interactions between the characters to be stronger than some of the story arcs in Brooks' books. This time, they felt pretty balanced at the detriment of the character building. Sadly they felt a little watered down and static. I definitely enjoyed the book for the nostalgia and for the fun adventure that always permeates the Shannara story. But I missed some of the depth and meat that's been present in Brooks' work of the past. Compared with some of his more epic stories (such as the Genesis or Heritage series) or his more contemporary Knight & Void stories, this book felt a little more flat or maybe more "bubble-gum"-y. A night light adventure but not much more too it. That said, it did accomplish its goal. It entertained me and I had fun reading it. Even when believability was stretched I was still drawn in enough to enjoy the story and accept the little hiccups. So not the best Brooks out there, but still an adventure worthy of the Shannara title.
June 30, 2014
Nostalgia is what got me interested in reading this novel. Terry Brooks was one of the authors that got me into fantasy when I was in middle school, '92 and '93. I haven't read anything in the world since the mid 2000's, though, due to life changes, interest shifts, and some aspects of his later books. So I was curious to see what was the same or different in one of the newer additions to the Shannara world.
The author definitely pleased in the amount of Shannara lore he gave us. From well-known additions like the Sword of Leah and the Druidic order to the semi-obscure like the Westland village of Grimpen Ward, the author has managed to tie in enough of past book mentions to make the reader feel like they're reliving the beauty of his past writing and world-building. I really enjoyed re-visiting this world all the more due to all the little mentions and details.
I enjoyed the story of Paxton's maturing and finding a road in life. He's a character I felt I could identify with and cheer on. It was also a nostalgic nod to Brooks' past work, as well. The story of the boy going through epic challenges and maturing as a result is almost an integral part of Brooks' storytelling. Yet, he's also made Paxton stand out, in both his background and his very grounded, eager personality. I felt like he had a vivid thirst for something else in life, yet he had the patience and the steady personality to see that not everything happens at once. I vastly enjoyed his journey.
However, I do have to say that this book fell into the trap(s) that led me to stop reading Brooks' in the first place. There were times I found myself skipping ahead as I just got bored with what was going on. The characters seemed to go on tangent journeys that had very little to do with the overall storyline, and the politics that Brooks tried to cram into the story didn't always work out. There also seemed to be too many characters given their own points of view. I can think of seven distinct characters that were given their own POV sections, and some of them were just downright unnecessary.
I did enjoy this return to Shannara. The lore and the main character made for an interesting read and a wonderful re-visit to this world. However, the book did drag with too much crammed into too few pages, too many character POVs, and boring tangents that made me yawn. I enjoyed the read and story, but I don't think I'll be returning to Shannara any time soon. I've rediscovered why I stopped reading in the first place.
Note: Book received via GoodReads FirstReads program for free in exchange for honest review.
The author definitely pleased in the amount of Shannara lore he gave us. From well-known additions like the Sword of Leah and the Druidic order to the semi-obscure like the Westland village of Grimpen Ward, the author has managed to tie in enough of past book mentions to make the reader feel like they're reliving the beauty of his past writing and world-building. I really enjoyed re-visiting this world all the more due to all the little mentions and details.
I enjoyed the story of Paxton's maturing and finding a road in life. He's a character I felt I could identify with and cheer on. It was also a nostalgic nod to Brooks' past work, as well. The story of the boy going through epic challenges and maturing as a result is almost an integral part of Brooks' storytelling. Yet, he's also made Paxton stand out, in both his background and his very grounded, eager personality. I felt like he had a vivid thirst for something else in life, yet he had the patience and the steady personality to see that not everything happens at once. I vastly enjoyed his journey.
However, I do have to say that this book fell into the trap(s) that led me to stop reading Brooks' in the first place. There were times I found myself skipping ahead as I just got bored with what was going on. The characters seemed to go on tangent journeys that had very little to do with the overall storyline, and the politics that Brooks tried to cram into the story didn't always work out. There also seemed to be too many characters given their own points of view. I can think of seven distinct characters that were given their own POV sections, and some of them were just downright unnecessary.
I did enjoy this return to Shannara. The lore and the main character made for an interesting read and a wonderful re-visit to this world. However, the book did drag with too much crammed into too few pages, too many character POVs, and boring tangents that made me yawn. I enjoyed the read and story, but I don't think I'll be returning to Shannara any time soon. I've rediscovered why I stopped reading in the first place.
Note: Book received via GoodReads FirstReads program for free in exchange for honest review.
February 15, 2014
The High Druid's Blade is the telling of Paxon Leah's story. I found this to be a pretty easy and enjoyable fantasy read. Terry Brooks seems to have taken a break from his complex plots, giving us two main characters and a few smaller players in this storyline. This view point isn't bad, just different...giving you a more in depth/personal view point of the Leah family. I did find that at least the first 1/2 of this book was more story building with the remaining 1/3 of the book where most of the action took place. The villain is quite vicious and maniacal giving me the need to see the story through to his demise. As well as a wonderfully strong finish, keeping me invested in the outcome. If that doesn't grab you... The High Druid's Blade takes place about 150 years after The Dark Legacy Series, you can't help but be drawn in by the nostalgia of your past Brooks' reads.
I received this ARC copy of The High Druid's Blade from Random House Publishing Group - Del Rey Spectra in exchange for a honest review. This book is set for publication March 11, 2014.
Written by: Terry Brooks
Series: Defenders of Shannara
Sequence in Series: 1
Hardcover: 320 pages
Publisher: Del Rey
Publication Date: July 15, 2014
ISBN-10: 0345540700
ISBN-13: 978-0345540706
Rating: 4 Stars
Genre: Fantasy
Find this book on: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
I received this ARC copy of The High Druid's Blade from Random House Publishing Group - Del Rey Spectra in exchange for a honest review. This book is set for publication March 11, 2014.
Written by: Terry Brooks
Series: Defenders of Shannara
Sequence in Series: 1
Hardcover: 320 pages
Publisher: Del Rey
Publication Date: July 15, 2014
ISBN-10: 0345540700
ISBN-13: 978-0345540706
Rating: 4 Stars
Genre: Fantasy
Find this book on: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
May 19, 2021
The High Druid's Blade is the 28th book chronologically in the Shannara series. 5 stars. 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
I enjoyed this re-read. The pages turned themselves. I don’t have much to add to my original review below except for adding my opinion that this is an underrated trilogy in the series. It felt fresh while still keeping the overarching plot moving forward nicely. Oh, and don’t f&$@ with Apenglow - she’s a bad ass.
Original review below:
High Druid's Blade takes place about 150 years after the events in Witch Wraith. It follows Paxon Leah who inherited the Sword of Leah from his ancestors. He learns the Sword holds magic the Leah's thought was long lost. Aphenglow Elessedil is now Ard Rhys of the 4th Druid order and she asks Paxon to become the protector of the Druids. Paxon has to make some tough choices in this book, and he grows as a character. His sister, Chrysalin Leah, is another unforgettable character. Terry Brooks provides plenty of action, intrigue, and some wonderful surprises that I really appreciated as a long-time Shannara fan. He also did a wonderful job wrapping up the storyline but left enough open to leave me wanting more. I am anxious to get to the next book to see what happens next to Aphenglow, Paxon, and Chrysalin. Terry Brooks does it again! Highly recommended!
I enjoyed this re-read. The pages turned themselves. I don’t have much to add to my original review below except for adding my opinion that this is an underrated trilogy in the series. It felt fresh while still keeping the overarching plot moving forward nicely. Oh, and don’t f&$@ with Apenglow - she’s a bad ass.
Original review below:
High Druid's Blade takes place about 150 years after the events in Witch Wraith. It follows Paxon Leah who inherited the Sword of Leah from his ancestors. He learns the Sword holds magic the Leah's thought was long lost. Aphenglow Elessedil is now Ard Rhys of the 4th Druid order and she asks Paxon to become the protector of the Druids. Paxon has to make some tough choices in this book, and he grows as a character. His sister, Chrysalin Leah, is another unforgettable character. Terry Brooks provides plenty of action, intrigue, and some wonderful surprises that I really appreciated as a long-time Shannara fan. He also did a wonderful job wrapping up the storyline but left enough open to leave me wanting more. I am anxious to get to the next book to see what happens next to Aphenglow, Paxon, and Chrysalin. Terry Brooks does it again! Highly recommended!
August 19, 2014
I had this on pre-order from Amazon for several months and I was somewhat disappointed when the release date was put back to July. Nevertheless, I was pleased when the book finally arrived, even though I was concerned by the overall size, as it looked tiny for a hardback.
To be honest, I feel like I've been short changed on this whole deal, as the new instalment of the Shannara series is pretty crap. I wasn't overly impressed with the last trilogy either, because Brooks just seemed to rehash a number of earlier storylines, which left me questioning where he would eventually take the series.
Apparently, he isn't going to take the reader anywhere new and this particular book (like the last 3 novels) is poor in comparison to earlier stuff. I've read everything, so I have good reason to be bleating on about this. Sorry...but I won't be rushing out to buy the next instalment.
To be honest, I feel like I've been short changed on this whole deal, as the new instalment of the Shannara series is pretty crap. I wasn't overly impressed with the last trilogy either, because Brooks just seemed to rehash a number of earlier storylines, which left me questioning where he would eventually take the series.
Apparently, he isn't going to take the reader anywhere new and this particular book (like the last 3 novels) is poor in comparison to earlier stuff. I've read everything, so I have good reason to be bleating on about this. Sorry...but I won't be rushing out to buy the next instalment.
July 18, 2014
The High Druid's Blade didn't quite live up to my expectations. It is not a bad book really. It's just that this story doesn't quite have the same...charisma, as the Wishsong of Shannara or the earlier Shannara books. Many of the characters are not well fleshed out yet, with the exception of two (the villian, of course, and the Druid Starks). The story isn't as complex as other Brooks novel (and that is okay. Not everything has to been a cataclysmic adventure) it does suffer from a few pacing issues. Despite this, The High Druid's Blade is not a bad book. I do like the idea of Paxon's development into a Knight Errant, and the idea that this is technically a standalone novel (though there are enough unanswered questions that hopefully the next book will help to answer). Definitely recommended for long time fans. A new reader could pick up this book, but he/she may feel a little lost with the references to other adventures.
July 26, 2014
Things that make you go, "Duh." Transparent, predictable, might entertain a 10 year old.
I see no reason this book was ever written other than to make money off of the Shannara series. A worthless read and total waste of time.
I see no reason this book was ever written other than to make money off of the Shannara series. A worthless read and total waste of time.
February 24, 2022
I have returned to my reading of The Shannara Series with book one of The Defenders of Shannara trilogy, “The High Druid’s Blade.”
One of my favourite things about Terry Brook’s writing is how his characters follow lineage through lengthy periods of time. Terry Brooks does this masterfully. I never feel confused about which character is related to who or how far back that ancestry goes and the story flows from there. In addition, I also appreciate Terry Brooks ability to create characters that are enjoyable. These are characters that a reader becomes emotionally invested in.
The importance of family, as well as the power and influence family can have on one’s life and decisions, is a reoccurring theme in most, if not all, The Shannara Books I have read to date. Family after family face forces that could pull them apart. “The High Druid’s Blade” is no different. I would say there are three families in “The High Druid’s Blade” that are immersed in this struggle: The Leah family, Arcannen and his family, and the Druid’s as a family unit. The struggle leads the characters/family units on a journey of growth, loss, acceptance and sacrifice. The ending to that journey, for all characters, is life changing.
As I reader I was able to foreshadow a few of the twists, but how the one twist ended I hadn’t anticipated. “The High Druid’s Blade” is a great read that doesn’t disappoint. As always, I look forward to returning to the world of Shannara with book two of The Defenders of Shannara trilogy, “The Darkling Child.”
One of my favourite things about Terry Brook’s writing is how his characters follow lineage through lengthy periods of time. Terry Brooks does this masterfully. I never feel confused about which character is related to who or how far back that ancestry goes and the story flows from there. In addition, I also appreciate Terry Brooks ability to create characters that are enjoyable. These are characters that a reader becomes emotionally invested in.
The importance of family, as well as the power and influence family can have on one’s life and decisions, is a reoccurring theme in most, if not all, The Shannara Books I have read to date. Family after family face forces that could pull them apart. “The High Druid’s Blade” is no different. I would say there are three families in “The High Druid’s Blade” that are immersed in this struggle: The Leah family, Arcannen and his family, and the Druid’s as a family unit. The struggle leads the characters/family units on a journey of growth, loss, acceptance and sacrifice. The ending to that journey, for all characters, is life changing.
As I reader I was able to foreshadow a few of the twists, but how the one twist ended I hadn’t anticipated. “The High Druid’s Blade” is a great read that doesn’t disappoint. As always, I look forward to returning to the world of Shannara with book two of The Defenders of Shannara trilogy, “The Darkling Child.”
April 30, 2022
Supposedly, this author was influenced by JRR Tolkien. Too bad he didn’t benefit from Tolkien’s ability to weave a tale. The plot is OK but the characters are predictable and there are too many dangling pieces left unraveled. Maybe I’m too picky, but the writing style seemed a unfinished and trite.
June 12, 2022
Closer to 3.5.
Arcannen is a compelling villain, in that he isn't all powerful and that some of his goals aren't that dissimilar from the Druids (obtaining powerful magic). One of the Leah's as the main character was a nice change of pace, but I didn't find Paxon all that interesting.
It was refreshing to have a Druid order that had more than a small handful of members for once.
Arcannen is a compelling villain, in that he isn't all powerful and that some of his goals aren't that dissimilar from the Druids (obtaining powerful magic). One of the Leah's as the main character was a nice change of pace, but I didn't find Paxon all that interesting.
It was refreshing to have a Druid order that had more than a small handful of members for once.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 6, 2024
As always, Terry Brooks does not disappoint. I love the action and adventure in this one. The quest to save Paxon’s sister and save the Druid order, again. I love how Mr. Brooks always saves the druids even when the rest of the world wants them gone.
June 7, 2020
Always a pleasure to read Brooks! Love the Shannara series
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