I quickly read Bearers of the Black Staff and was happy to be back in the Shannara world. I have not read the Word and the Void series, or any storie preceding the timeline of The First King of Shannara. While I was able to begin to see hints of the world of Shannara to come, this story somehow left me with a sense of not being quite complete. No cliffhanger to make me expect another story, with issues being concluded within this two story collection. The story had some exciting scenes that I would read rapidly through, then reach a stretch that made me wander away. A little more uneven than I had experienced from Brooks before. Still, I have a new book about Shannara on my shelf. Other authors I enjoy have an occasional story that seems a little lackluster and they redeem themselves in my eyes. I believe Brooks can do the same. I'm a huge Terry Brooks fan, but this really wasn't his best. The story was traditional Shannara with few surprises or turns and then there were some things that weren't resolved or just didn't make as much sense. A character who is so exhausted she can barely put one foot in front of another is suddenly fine after a brief chat with a friend and things like that. It just didn't seem to have been edited as much as needed. And I've never been a fan of the King of the Silver River Deus Ex Machina. It seems to easy and a little lazy, but maybe that's just me.I am still a huge Brooks fan and will continue to read all his books. I just felt like this was one of the weaker ones.On another note, I listened to the audiobook version while driving and the reader didn't do the best job. Several of the voices were too similar and some of them actually changed halfway through and sometimes he got confused about which character was saying what. It wasn't terrible, I guess, but I've heard much, much better.
What do You think about The Measure Of The Magic (2011)?
Hmmm...this one wasn't as good as the "Bearer of the Black Staff".
—maverick777
A great read by one of my favorite authors.
—Adam
Not Terry Brooks' best, but a nice read...
—Lavergne
