The Elves of Cintra is the second book in the Genesis of Shannara series by Terry Brooks. I've been a Brooks fan since I first read Sword of Shannara back in Junior High School. While I haven't absolutely loved all of his books, I've really enjoyed most of them. Over time, he's had two series that take place more or less in "our world." The first was the Landover series which was generally more light-hearted fun with some tongue-in-cheek elements (not as farcical as say the Xanth series, but also not your sweeping epic fantasy, although some of the Landover books have some moderately engaging depth to them).His other venture into our "modern world" started with his Word and Void stories. The idea being that there are two basic forces in the world…the Word, which reigns over the good elements and the Void which reigns over the bad. Starting in the late 90s, he put out a trilogy following some encounters between the Word and the Void in modern day America. In the series he set forth some intriguing elements such as Knights of the Word (who are servants of the Word and strive to maintain goodness and order under the direction of the Word), the Demons and Once-Men (servants of the Void who try to subvert the world of Man and bring us into darkness and destruction) and the Feeders (invisible forms that prey on negativity and thrive on chaos, anger and other disagreeable emotions and actions of humanity).The Genesis of Shannara series picks up years after the Word and Void series and the world is in an essentially post-apocalyptic state. The government has collapsed…in fact, any real sense of civilization is all but gone. Most of humanity is huddling together for their survival either hiding in more remote areas and hoping to be left alone, or fortifying themselves in "compounds" created inside large structures such as sports arenas. Meanwhile, a variety of Demons and Feeders are subverting the land and creating an army of "Once-Men" to help seek out and exterminate mankind. Not a very pretty picture.The first book in the series (Armageddon's Children) primarily followed Logan Tom, a Knight of the Word, on a quest to travel across the country and find a "creature of faerie" masquerading in human form as a teenage boy. The first book ended with a rather climactic cliffhanger that raised uncertainty about much of the successful progress made in the first book.This second novel continued the story of Logan Tom but also, as the title suggests, brings in a new race of faerie creatures…the Elves. Apparently, the Elves have been essentially hiding out and living their lives for centuries, ignoring (and largely despising) Man. For those who have read some of the other Shannara books, you'll recognize some of the family and city names as well as the idea of Elcrys and the Chosen. For those unfamiliar, the Elcrys is a magical tree cared for by the Elves. This special tree has a very special function where it creates a sort of shield/barrier, called the Forbidding, behind which an immense population of extremely evil and ancient faerie creatures are trapped. Basically if the Elcrys/Forbidding fail, then our world will be overrun. With the fall of mankind, the Elcrys needs to be protected and so a quest is set out for a Chosen (one of those who cares for the Elcrys) to find a particular talisman and move the Elcrys and the Elves to safety.Meanwhile, Logan Tom escapes from the cliffhanger ending at the end of book 1 and begins a trek southward with the ragtag family of the Gypsy Morph Hawk (the faerie creature he went to save)…to try and reunite with Hawk and lead the kids to safety.In the style very well-known to Brooks readers, we get to follow multiple groups of characters on a variety of quests. Another Knight of the Word comes in to help the Elves. We're also given some close attention to a couple of Demons hunting the Knights, the Elves and the Gypsy Morph. So there are always at least two primary groups each on their own adventure and at times we are given some attention to the smaller groups as they slowly converge on their individual plans and get closer to one another.This book had a lot of intricate moments of suspense and intrigue where we are made to question the motives and trustworthiness of some of the individuals. This is another hallmark of Brooks's work that I enjoy…the fact that his heroes are never perfect, often quite flawed, and they also usually tend to be faced with such odds that it truly is questionable whether or not they will succeed. There is some foreshadowing in the book that definitely suggests some or many of the key characters will NOT survive through the entire series but will end up sacrificing themselves for the good of the others. Because of this, it added the tension to each suspenseful moment or action sequence because it was always very possible that one of the key characters could be killed off as part of this sacrifice. Thus the suspense felt more real…rather than the suspense often felt where you feel on edge but you know in the back of your mind that the hero will prevail because, well, he's the hero and that's the way it works.Overall, I really enjoyed this book and I'm having fun with this series both as a continuation of the Word and Void series and as a bridge to the world of magic and fantasy in the main Shannara series. I really like the ideas presented in the Word/Void series and the way they continue to develop here. It provides interesting theories and ideas related to the nature of morality, good/evil, and the overall psychology and mindset of Mankind. As this is the second book in a series, you need to be sure to at least read the previous book before starting this one (I'd suggest the Word/Void series as well, though it's not vital). Like book 1, this book ends with plenty of things unraveling. That said, the cliffhanger in book 1 was far more dramatic than the ending of book 2. In book 2 there is actually a lot more resolution and a greater sense of hope…although there is still plenty of despair hanging over the various groups since many of their key members hang on the verge of death.I definitely have a certain bias towards Brooks's work…as I said, I generally like almost everything I've read by him so I really feel like my own personal reading styles and tastes are very closely fitted to his writing style and stories.Still, I feel like I can recommend this series to a somewhat wider variety of readers, especially considering the recent influx of "urban fantasy" books. I'm not a reader of urban fantasy per se, so I don't know how well this relates to that genre, but I can say that this has a feel of post-apocalyptic dystopia blended with elements of epic fantasy. Which, as far as I'm concerned, is a very fun melding and one I definitely recommend. And with that, I now need to go read the final book in the series.****4 out of 5 stars
This story picks up where Armageddon's Children left off. Logan Tom has reached Seattle in his search for Hawk, a street child he believes to be the Gypsy Morph. However, although he finds the "Ghosts," the band of children living with Hawk, Hawk himself is not there. He has gone after Tessa, a compound girl, that he loves. Both Hawk and Tessa have been imprisoned in the lowest basements of the compound after being found guilty of the compound's highest law...thievery. The punishment...death! They are to be thrown from the top of the compound walls at sunset! Logan and one of the Ghosts, Panther, try to sneak in through the tunnels underneath the compound only to find that Hawk and Tessa are gone from their cells. They have been taken to the walls for their punishment. In the meantime, Panther becomes separated from Logan. Then, at sunset, there is a blinding flash of light that can be seen for miles. What does this mean? Can Logan reach Hawk and Tessa in time? If not, will the death of the Morph and Tessa mean the end of the world?Meanwhile the other Ghosts encounter an army of demons and "once-men" arriving by boat to attack the compound. Logan has already told them to gather at his vehicle and wait for his return but two of the Ghosts become separated from the rest. They run for their lives and meet up with the Lizards, the Croaks, the Spiders and the other mutants who are also running from the demons. They get pushed to and fro, getting slashed and injured but eventually making it to Logan's vehicle. Logan soon returns without Hawk and Tessa. He doesn't know what has happened to them but he feels that he needs to protect these children so they start their journey south to the Columbia River to meet with the band of children being lead north from California. Reluctantly, he takes on the role of protector of the Ghosts but he still feels the pull of his quest to find the Gypsy Morph. The Ghosts are also reluctant to accept Logan's leadership in Hawk's absence. Will this tenuous alliance last? Will they reach the Columbia River, as Candle, one of the Ghosts, has foreseen? Will Hawk and Tessa somehow find them?To the south, Angel Perez carries on with her quest to find the Elves, accompanied by the tatterdemalion, Ailie. The demon that nearly defeated her in the ruins of Anaheim trails them, mutating into something more monstrous on a daily basis. It is no longer anything resembling a human but it is bent on destroying Angel and Ailie. Nevertheless, Angel and Ailie forge on through the wilderness, heading north as instructed by O'olish Amaneh and the Lady. Soon they reach a living forest with clean water and wildflowers, something Angel has never seen in her entire life. Angel asks Ailie what has happened here. Ailie's simple answer? Elves have happened. Ailie instructs Angel to walk through the forest and the Elves will find them. Soon an Elven tracker patrol, led by the elf Simralin, finds them. It is a tense situation since the Elves have isolated themselves from humans for centuries due to the humans' self-destructive tendencies and the humans' total irresponsibility as caretakers of the world in which they live but Simralin senses something in Angel and the tatterdemalion that tells her they are to be trusted. But what about the demon? Will it catch up with Angel and Ailie? Will the magic of Angel's black staff and the aid of the Elves be able to destroy the demon...or will the Elves vanish from the face of the earth?In another part of the Elven territory, Simalin's brother, Kirisin, one of the Chosen to serve the Ellcrys, and his cousin, Erisha, have tried and tried to make the Elven king and High Council see that the Ellcrys has given them the task of finding the blue "seeking" Elfstones, as well as the Loden Elfstone, in order to save the Elves from the coming destruction of the entire world. No one wants to believe that the end is coming. How could it be? The destruction lying outside the Elven kingdom is the doing of the humans, not the Elves. Why should the Elves be worried? And both Kirisin and Erisha are so young...what could they possibly know of the end of the world? Despite this, Kirisin and Erisha set off on a quest to find the missing Elfstones, aided by Culph, the old librarian and caretaker of the Elven histories. Will Kirisin and Erisha find the Elfstones? If so, can they find the Loden and save the Elven kingdom? What of Angel, Ailie, and Simralin? What are their roles to play in saving the Elves? Will Logan Tom and the Ghosts be able to find Hawk and Tessa and be able to save the remaining humans from the coming destruction?The story goes on from this point with its many subplots weaving themselves in and out of the story. It is a typical Terry Brooks book and I was spellbound from the moment I started it. Of course, since this is the second book in a trilogy, the end of the book leaves you hanging and waiting to start the next book. In my opinion, Terry Brooks is the master of this type of fantasy. I've never read anything by anyone else that even comes close. I highly recommend all of his books without reservation!!
What do You think about The Elves Of Cintra (2007)?
If you have not read Armageddon's Children, the first book in this trilogy, you need to read that first. This book is an amazing sequel to the first and focuses primarily on the elves of Cintra. In the first book the elves were a much smaller part, however in this book they take center stage and we watch as they attempt to save their race from the destruction of the demons.Just like the first book Brooks develops a few characters a bit more by doing some flashbacks, but what I liked is he did it a little less compared to the first. The first book in the trilogy seemed to not progress quick enough in my opinion. This book almost moves too quickly at some points, if that is even possible, especially at the end.There is also a lot of suspense in this book as well: which consists of epic battles between Knights of the Word, poisoned characters, the search for the Loden stone, dragons, and yes even main characters begin to die.I would highly recommend this book, but make sure you read the first one before this and have the third one locked and loaded on the Kindle or a book shelf near by.
—Aaron Mills
For a middle book, The Elves of Cintra surprised me. Most middle books in a trilogy, particularly those in fantasy and especially those with a simple concept in play, tend to be horrifically shallow. They lack its own story as most of its energies are focused towards building to an ultimate climax, but often doesn't reach said event at all. And it leaves its reader walking away frustrated and feeling as if they haven't gained much from the story at all.This book certainly had its fair share of all things that makes middle books the least enjoyable of a trilogy set. However, I didn't find myself annoyed after finishing it.Instead, I felt fairly gratified.Terry Brooks managed to maintain a good balance of closing holes while also opening others, but not to a point that the reader grew impatient with the writer. The pacing of the book wasn't rushed nor did it stretch itself too thin; it was very evenly spaced to not only gratify the readers by closing holes, but also kept them in some suspense by opening others.By now, the story feels much less crowded as it did in the first, even though the number of characters in it is more or less unchanged. I guess the fact that by now, the reader is better able to differentiate between them and given that there's less need to establish characters gives the story that much less of a crowded feeling. Also, the story is reasonably advanced now that all character development can now feed into the story itself as opposed to the story having to force feed the character introduction.Now with that said, while I thoroughly enjoyed the twist and turns provided by the book, particularly some of the surprises, it is still a rather simple fantasy book. It is straightforward, cleanly written and far from complicated or confusing. Nor does it provide much depth.It's not a bad thing, but it doesn't leave a reader with any real or lasting impression after completing the book.I also didn't really like how the focal point character Hawk barely made any appearance in this story and how anticlimactic his turned out to be; especially given the strength of his story and the cliffhanger after book one. it made me think the whole tale lost focus, as if it got side-tracked by a side story rather than building the real one.Although perhaps that was by design. The book is called The Elves of Cintra. It says in the title itself that it is about the side story and how it will affect the main plot rather than really playing with the main plot itself. And perhaps that is what made this book less of a 'middle book' and more of an actual book in its own right.And ultimately a good, uncomplicated read that didn't leave me with any sort of negative feeling after I finished it.
—Moiraine
The Elves of Cintra by Terry Brooks is the second book of the Genesis of Shannara series set in the Shannara universe. The book continues the story began in the first book as the two main heroes and their supporting casts attempt to make their journey towards their eventual goal. Logan Tom continues his journey toward the gypsy morph this time with the morphs little gang as his companions. At the same time Angel Perez finds the elves and with them an eager partner in Kirisin. Neither of these journeys is without peril with both having to realize the hardships and advantages working with a group brings for them. Logan and Angel are by their nature loners who have fought against an opponent whom it often feels like has already won. However Logan begins to realize that he needs friends as he journeys south with the ghosts and Angel realizes that she can not overcome the demons that pursue her on her own. While reading this book I was struck by how much more hopeful this book was than many of the middle books in series I have read in the past. The hope is important to remember even as we go through the minor struggles that we have in our own life. We must remember that evil has been defeated and we can continue by the power of God to have small victories which will make the world a better place. I found the book well written and a good page turner.
—Brian Schiebout
