Wards of Faerie: The Dark Legacy of Shannara

by Terry Brooks

Hardcover, 2012

Status

Available

Call number

813.54

Publication

Del Rey (2012), Edition: First Edition, 384 pages

Description

During a tumultuous period in the Four Lands, young Druid Aphenglow stumbles on a dangerous secret about an Elven girl's heartbreak and the vanished Elfstones. Set seven years after the High Druid series.

User reviews

LibraryThing member theokester
I'm a long time lover of the world of Shannara that Terry Brooks created. Over the years I've read and enjoyed his many series and stand alone which have given greater depth, insight and history into this world. With Wards of Faerie, we begin a new adventure set in the Four Lands many years after
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the High Druid of Shannara series.

This series, like most of the others, centers upon a quest. This time the Druids are on a quest to find Elfstones that were lost thousands of years ago. In fact they have been lost so long that they have entered into the realm of myth and legend to the point that nobody knows what they do and some even doubt their existence. In many ways it is evident that this book is the first book in a series. The first many chapters involve the characters doing a lot of research, talking, thinking and preparing for things to come. There are a few small fights and interactions throughout these first few chapters to help "up the ante" and make it apparent that there is certain danger in the days to come.

Personally I enjoyed the slower pace. Rather than dumping us headlong into an adventure, Brooks takes his time and lets us get to know a number of core characters very intimately. We work side-by-side with Aphenglow as she intently studies the ancient Elven histories in search of clues. We play and race with the twins Redden and Railing and learn about their impulsive spontaneity as well as their close brotherly bond. We are taken deep inside the political intrigue and rise of a new Prime Minister of the Federation. We learn about the new Druid Order and the current Ard Rhs Kyhber. Through the first half of the book, we walk alongside a series of key characters as they make meticulous investigations and preparations for a huge adventure to come.

For those who are fans of action, don't worry. Just because the book spends a lot of time setting up the main adventure doesn't mean that it can't have significant action. As I already mentioned, there are a couple of hand-to-hand fights early on in the book. These are precursors to numerous smaller action sequences through the first half of the book. By the midpoint though, the action starts to pick up and before long there is an all out siege being waged by hundreds of soldiers at the same time as other explorers are facing environmental dangers in a strange new land as they seek out the Stones.

For those who haven't read any of the Shannara books before, Brooks always provides enough exposition and backstory to let you jump into a new series without being terribly lost. However if you've read previous Shannara books, there are plenty of scenes that should make fans very happy including a brief appearance by a character from some of the early books.

While I agree with the critics who say that Brooks's works aren't "high literature", I also have to admit that he does pen fun and compelling stories that really draw me in and keep me turning page after page. In addition to the overall danger of the quest to find the Elfstones, there is a huge conspiratorial battle lurking behind the scenes and ready to explode into sight that could change the face and fate of the Four Lands.

I found it a joy to get back into the world of Shannara and begin another epic adventure. My only complaint is that (as is often the case) the book ends by leaving me with apprehension as to what will happen next…and I have to wait until next year to find out. This book had all the intriguing characters, compelling plot twists and turns (though I admit that I found one of the big "twists" to be somewhat predictable), and exciting adventure that I've come to love from Terry Brooks.

I can definitely recommend this to any Shannara fan. Although I would recommend you go back and pick up some of the earlier series too, if you haven't read any of Brooks's books before, you should enjoy this without requiring any previous reading. As is the case with his earlier works, the action and violence is big enough to be exciting while still being acceptable for younger readers (even down into the tweens).

****
4 out of 5 stars
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LibraryThing member BetweentheBind
This is the first Terry Brooks novel I've ever read and maaaan was I in for an adventure! Although I really enjoyed the book, I believe having not read her other series did leave me missing some character connections and world building. However, I still connected with the characters, LOVED the
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world, and enjoyed every moment learning about the Wards of Faerie.

Our main character, Aphenglow Elessedil, is an elf who disgraced her family by joining the druid order, a powerful group of mages from all genetic backgrounds who pride themselves on maintaining a balanced relationship between all creatures in the Four Lands. An outcast in the home of the elves and with only her sister and great uncle to guide her, Aphen begins her tale uncovering a secret of the past, one that may lead her to a great lost power.

This book was extremely well-written and developed. The characters were relatable and although there wasn't a lot of romantic relationship development between characters, but the tension and possibilities are set up for in the next books.

This book was told from several characters perspectives - but that didn't begin for quite a while in the book. I was very used to hearing from Aphen, and although I appreciated the other perspectives and they were necessary for the development of the novel, I missed her voice.

That being said, I did enjoy some of the secondary characters and the developments throughout the story, I guess I just felt as though not enough was uncovered. This was a book that I think can't be a stand alone...you NEED that second book to learn anything about the first and that's why it is missing a star. I think I would know more about the world and what is happening had I read Brooks' other books, however as the first book in the series, not much evolved from the initial problem. Some things yes - just not enough to make me satisfied.

Although I don't read a lot of epic fantasy, I love a great one and Wards of Faerie is pretty darn great.

*This book was provided by Del Ray Publishing via NetGalley in return for an unbiased review*
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LibraryThing member DonnerLibrary
After taking time away from the pure stories of Shannara to write the stories of how Shannara was created out of the ashes of our own time, Brooks returns to the world of magic. Conflict is again building between the Federation, the Elves, and the dwindling Druid order. Magic and science are at
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odds and the atmosphere is tense. As Aphenglow Elessedil searches the Eleven histories, she comes upon the diary of a young girl. This diary could change everything about the way the past is viewed and it certainly shapes the future path for Aphenglow and others. A new quest is undertaken to locate the missing Elfstones and shift the balance of power in the Four Lands.

Wards of Faerie is the first book in the latest trilogy from Terry Brooks. While the characters are new, long time readers will recognize the family names as each main character is descended from important characters in past Shannara books. This connection is important because it indicates to the reader exactly how that character may be important to the story. Brooks is able to pass along gifts and characteristics without having to do in depth character building in each book.

The essential quest format of the book is familiar as well. Brooks introduces the main players, gives them a choice about undertaking a journey, and off they go into danger. Although it might seem that knowing the plot outline ahead of time would render each book too similar to the last, Brooks keeps the reader's attention through the personalities of the characters and the details of the world and action.

My only complaint about this book is that it felt incomplete. It seemed as if the quest had truly just begun when I reached the end of the book. I am very glad that this trilogy will be released in rapid fire fashion with the books coming out every six months so I won't have to wait too long for the next portion of the story. This release schedule also means that I don't have to wait almost a year for the paperback version to come out.

As a longtime fan of Shannara, I am glad to see Brooks adding more stories to the most current timeline again. The jump from the Shannara pre-history (Word & Void series, Genesis of Shannara series, and Legends of Shannara series) was a bit jarring and I had to take some time to reorient myself in the timeline. Overall though I think Wards of Faerie will be a hit with Shannara fans.
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LibraryThing member seanvk
Terry Brooks returns to his series, now starting a new trilogy branch. It reflects a quest for an unknown power source and a renewed conflict with the Federation. It brings back in to play the Ohmsfords and Paranor. I have always enjoyed his books and this one is definitely among them in style and
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purpose. Is it becoming a bit formulaic? Probably so. But still a good read for someone who has enjoyed his series.
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LibraryThing member Karlstar
I am a big fan of Terry Brooks' work, starting way back with the Sword of Shannara, which I read when it was first released. Unfortunately this book was a huge disappointment for me. There are far too many plot elements from his previous books for this to be interesting. Without giving any
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spoilers, if you've read Terry Brooks, you'll find this far too familiar. Leahs, Ohmsords, Elessedils, semi-anonymous dwarf warriors, the usual. Not just the characters, but the locations and plot elements have been overused. Even the 'new' things aren't new - how many times are we going to be told that there is yet another area in the Four Lands that NO ONE has explored. With flying airships, why is that still true? Its a very old plot element. There's nothing original about this book, its a mishmash of Elfstones, Wishsong, and the High Druid series. As much as I like Terry Brooks novels, I can't recommend this one.
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LibraryThing member msjessie
This was a struggle for me, from beginning to end. Of the twenty+ Shannara serues novels Brooks has published to date, I've read fourteen and never have I had as hard a time finishing as I did here with Wards of Faerie. A novel nearly four hundred pages in length should feel and read more than as
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filler and introductory information. While there is a conflict and climax, both are minimal, predictable, and reminiscent of many other Shannara novels. A disappointment from a well-known author, Terry Brooks can and has done better than this latest effort. Almost uniformly flat and uninvolving, fans of this long-running (and soon to be adapted to tv series) will do better to stick to Brooks' earlier, and much better executed, Shannara novels.

While my enthusiasm for Shannara books has waned with each new novel and my exposure to more creative examples of fantasy, Brooks usually at least manages to entertain with his incredibly fleshed-out world and usually interesting and well-rounded characters. Not so is the case with Wards of Faerie. Once again, an Elessedil heir is searching for a set of Elfstones (as seen in Elfstones of Shannara), while wrestling with foes from the Federation (as seen in nearly every Shannara novel written.) Once again an Ohmsford descendant is required to save the world (again, as seen in _every_Shannah_novel_ever), no matter that the popular family tree has whittled down to two heirs (sound familiar?). Brooks clearly has a pattern for these books, and a little invention or deviation from the known path would have done much to save this anticlimactic and formulaic fantasy novel.

This novel is a lot of time invested for very little payoff. It's not rewarding to read those three hundred eighty four pages because the entire novel reeks of set-up and introduction. New characters (even if set on predictable paths) fail to engage, the plot feels extremely recycled and old-hat. There's so little to recommend about this novel - it's really a shame that 35 years after this world was created, it has so little to offer new and old readers. Brooks is comfortable in his ironclad paths of writing, but a little more imagination in Wards of Faerie would have made for a much better, more original novel. It might be written passably well - Brooks definitely has a vibrant setting to work with - but the lack of action, the lack of advancement is a major player in why this novel is such a miss.

Sadly for a sometimes/used to be major fan, I found this to be a vastly unsatisfying latest effort from a fantasy juggernaut. In the plainest terms, Brooks' latest effort is a typical, very predictable, slowly paced, usually frustrating 2/5. Some credit is due for the richly imagined world (though that owes more to the multitude of novels before this that helped to fashion it). Far from the best to offer out of the series, Wards of Faerie could use some work - tightening, plotting, and pacing.
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LibraryThing member capetowncanada
Was looking forward to finding someone to fill the void between Terry Goodkind and George R.R. Martin releases for my fantasy fix. Terry Brooks was an author that I have had on my radar for some time and seen "The Dark Legacy of Shannara" as a good opportunity to enter the franchise. I was very
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disappointed in the first book of this trilogy to the point that I'm not going to continue and may not try another Terry Brooks novel for some time. Maybe this was just a dud for Brooks and not a good reflection of his talents or maybe I just do not have enough background in the Shannara Universe. But I felt it was rushed in a lot of area's with poor character development. To many times I found myself thinking what a stupid decision the characters were making. This review is for someone like myself who has never read any of Brooks work before, start earlier in the franchise because this one just sucked.
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LibraryThing member aoibhealfae
The Dark Legacy of Shannara isn't intended to be a direct canon for the original series. Instead, a person could start the series without a primary motivation to read the excessive Shannara universe by the author.

The book began with the discovery of an ancient diary written by an elvish teenager
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who fell in love and was betrayed when her lover stole several elfstones which were missing for thousands of years. The book is largely centered around the druid Aphenglow Elessendil and the druid's enigmatic leader Ard Rhys Khyber Elessendil and the quest for the elfstones.

As much as I enjoy the easy language and fast pacing of the novel, I couldn't quite find myself enjoying the book as a whole. On the first chapter, I think the author does wonderful trying to imitate a teenage girl's voice but somehow the juvenile writing and surprisingly sanitized version of the girl's sexscapes has somehow leads to a grand quest of finding magical stones of power.

Other than that, I do feel some of the character motivation in the book aren't strong enough and sometimes out of the blue without primary development until their eventual demise which reminded me of Final Fantasy disposable stock characters.

Later, I begin to question Terry Brooks' capabilities to develop good storylines that centered around strong female characters. He does tend to reduce Aphenglow into a damsel in distress and seems very natural around the much gentler perfectly damsel Arlingphant Elessendil, Aphenglow's sister. I am totally fine with Aphenglow kicking asses and saving the day, I couldn't quite buy the tendency to render her as a 'fragile' strong female character by forcing her to be disabled at a point, being protected and coddled by several of the characters. The only disturbing scene involving her in the book was the fact one antagonist have a sudden heightened motivation to have her tongue and hands cut off and wanted her to be raped by his soldiers just because she openly defied him at a standoff.

Other than airships and the occasional Final Fantasy references, the book is entertaining. But not much a fodder for discussion on depth except for the lack of it. Luckily the second book is much nicer.
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LibraryThing member v_allery
Just OK, yes. With such a promising beginning, foretelling an epic quest, where everybody either die or come back broken, the delivery disappointed. The first book is a getting ready part, where nothing of substance happens. Some people die, but those deaths are received in such a detached manner
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that it is surprising that we are reading about actual (mainly) human beings with real emotions and feelings. Emotions, though? Scratch that. Sense of duty and sense of duty only, with nothing else being important. I did love the writing and the elevated language and thought processes, but when is some action going to begin? Part two, hopefully.
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LibraryThing member Claudia.Anderson
Slow to start, but got my interest as it progressed. May continue the series when book 2 goes on sale.
LibraryThing member gilroy
This book just didn't work for me. I couldn't find a character I cared about. Really, I couldn't find a decent thread to be wanting to follow. Aphenglow just ... too timid. Khyber seemed too lost. And Pleysia too combative. The small spark of decent action and/or motion got buried in a long
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chapters of exposition.

What is it with authors starting so early when building the story? I feel like the first three chapters could condense into one, then start moving forward. Grumph.

I couldn't stomach trying to finish this one. The author has one more to try to convince me they're worth reading, or they go on my never pile.
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LibraryThing member jwilker
I often wish I had the will power to wait until Terry finished a series so I could read them all back to back. Alas I do not possess that will power.
LibraryThing member jwitt33
I have to start this review stating outright that I am a huge fan of Terry Brooks and the Shannara series. I know a lot of reviewers have mentioned that this book just rehashes old plot lines, but I personally don't think that is a problem when you're talking about an epic fantasy series as long as
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the Shannara series, and more importantly, if the writing itself remains fresh and includes enough surprises along the way to keep the reader engrossed in the story. Having read Wards of Faerie, I can say that I wasn't disappointed. Just when I thought I knew where the story was taking me, it would go in another direction entirely, and, as an avid reader, that keeps me invested and wanting more.

The story begins with the diary of a young elfin girl who falls in love with, and is betrayed by, a darkling boy. That is the start of an epic quest for the missing elfstones (something any lover of the Shannara books will understand), involving the druids of the Fourth Order, trolls, gnomes, Ohmsfords, a Leah, and others (including a rather unhinged seer) that they pick up along the way. They fight enemies on many fronts, human and magical creatures alike, and lose many of their own as a result.

The characters are many, but they are woven into the story in such a way that you get to know them intimately. The back stories are worked in effortlessly so you become invested in the characters naturally without feeling like the information given was force fed to you.

One of my favorite things about the books Terry Brooks writes is his use of imagery to describe things that would otherwise be rather mundane. For example: " 'I don't like speaking to other people.' The voice was soft and whispery, the soft sound of clothing being unfolded, hardly more than that." He doesn't just say "He spoke softly," and leave it at that. He takes it just a hint further, and draws the reader an even better picture. I homeschool my son and they are big on teaching imagery in relation to stories and essays the kids write, so I'm always on the lookout for good examples to show him LOL.

In summary, I enjoyed this book very much, and, as it is the first book in a new series entitled "The Dark Legacy of Shannara," I am looking forward to reading the rest of the books that follow.

I was given a copy of this book free of charge from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
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LibraryThing member decaturmamaof2
I totally emjoyed this book... Can't wait for Bloodfire Quest to see what happens next!
LibraryThing member Linyarai
A great read by one of my favorite authors.
LibraryThing member Andy_DiMartino
Not bad for a book thats starting another trilogy. Look forward to seeing where this is going

Language

Original language

English

Original publication date

2012-08-21

Physical description

384 p.; 6.55 inches

ISBN

0345523474 / 9780345523471
Page: 0.3413 seconds