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Bearers of the Black Staff (Legends of Shannara)

A fantasy book by by Terry Brooks

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A great staring point for new readers

Nov 9, 2010

by madelyngoblynqueen

Exclusive to the Lunch Network

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Bearers of the Black Staff is the latest in Terry Brooks' epic Shannara saga. While my husband has read most of these novels, this was my first exposure to Brooks or to the Shannara saga. In this book, there is a group of humans, elves, lizards and spiders that live in a valley protected by magic from the ravages of a great war. They are protected by magical barriers that are currently failing. This failure and the fall out of the valley societies provides the tension and movement in this script.

Brooks provides not only a fast moving, compelling storyline with memorable and loveable characters. Panterra Qu is a brooding, bright young tracker who works with Prue, a bright young redhead who can sense danger and hold her own in a fight. There is the Elven princess Phryne who is just coming into her own, and the enigmatic Sider Ament, the Gray Man who is the current wielder of the Black Staff. There is a subplot that focuses on Sider, his past, his lost love, and his quest for a new heir to the Staff.

This is a great book, and if this is your first exposure to Shannara, do not be afraid. It was mine as well, yet there was enough description and character development that I had no trouble following what was happening, and the book was well written enough that I will seek out the other books in the saga, including the next one.

Highly recommended not just for readers of the Shannara saga or fans of Terry Brooks but for all fans of fantasy novels.

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Kort_Kramer January 06, 2011

It is interesting to see your perspective as a new Terry Brooks reader. Perhaps the reason you enjoyed it so much is actually because this is your first exposure to his books. He is a great writer, but I cannot say I enjoyed this Shannara installment as much as you did.

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review by Kort_Kramer. January 06, 2011

posted in Cafe Libri: Reviewing Books & More

Not A Complete Story or Quite Up To The Brooks Standard

I'm a big fan of Terry Brooks. His Shannara stories were some of my favorite fantasy novels during my early teen years (and beyond). Epic quests, a Warlock Lord, trolls, Wraiths, mysterious druids, vulnerable heros, amazing anti-heros, demons, elves, Magic Swords and Elfstones -- heck ye ah! I rank him right up there with Tolkein, Freidman, Weiss & Hickman, Fiest, Moorcock, Eddings, Donaldson, and Tad William when it comes to spinning an captivating classic fantasy yarn. Most … more

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About the reviewer

Madelyn Pryor (madelyngoblynqueen)
Ranked #356

I am a professional chef and former crazy graduate student. I have a wonderful husband who indulges my insane book habit. I loveto read, playWarhammer,quilt, and cook.I have diverse and ever changing … more