Armageddon's Children

Pre-Shannara: Genesis of Shannara, Book 1

By: Terry Brooks

Narrated by: Dick Hill

Length: 13 hrs and 33 mins

Publisher's summary

Terry Brooks is one of a handful of writers whose work defines modern fantasy fiction. His 23 international best sellers have ranged from the beloved Shannara series to stories that tread a much darker path. Armageddon’s Children is a new creation—the perfect opportunity for listeners unfamiliar with Brooks’s previous work to experience an author at the height of his considerable storytelling powers. It is a gripping chronicle of a once-familiar world now spun shockingly out of control, in which an extraordinary few struggle to salvage hope in the face of terrifying chaos.

Logan Tom is doomed to remember the past and determined to rescue the future. Far behind him lies a boyhood cut violently short by his family’s slaughter, when the forces of madness and hate swept our world after decadent excesses led to civilization’s downfall. Somewhere ahead of him rests the only chance to beat back the minions of evil that are systematically killing and enslaving the last remnants of humanity. Navigating the scarred and poisoned landscape that once was America and guided by a powerful talisman, Logan has sworn an oath to seek out a remarkable being born of magic, possessed of untold abilities, and destined to lead the final fight against darkness.

Across the country, Angel Perez, herself a survivor of the malevolent, death-dealing forces combing the land, has also been chosen for an uncanny mission in the name of her ruined world’s salvation. From the devastated streets of Los Angeles, she will journey to find a place—and a people–shrouded in mystery, celebrated in legend, and vital to the cause of humankind...even as a relentless foe follows close behind, bent on her extermination. While in the nearly forsaken city of Seattle, a makeshift family of refugees has carved out a tenuous existence among the street gangs, mutants, and marauders fighting to stay alive against mounting odds—and something unspeakable that has come from the shadows in search of prey.

In time, all their paths will cross. Their common purpose will draw them together. Their courage and convictions will be tested and their fates will be decided, as their singular crusade begins: to take back, or lose forever, the only world they have.

In Armageddon’s Children, Brooks brings his gifts as a mythmaker to the timeless theme of the unending, essential conflict between darkness and light—and carries his unique imaginative vision to a stunning new level. Prepare for a breathtaking tour de force. To those who are new to Terry Brooks, welcome. And to those who have followed him for many years: Prepare for a dramatic surprise.

©2006 Terry Brooks (P)2022 Random House Audio

Not a fan of this narrator

Love the story arc. I have been really looking forward to this installment of the series. As origin stories go, this one is very solid. My only issue is with the narration. The accents are sketchy and too many of the characters sound like they're either from the movie Grease or from 1940's Brooklyn. When he's narrating in his regular voice it's good, but his character voices need serious work. I think Scott Brick should just narrate all of the Shannara books.

Great book, Not so great narration

I’m a huge fan of the book and the series, but this narrator made it hard to listen to the book. His “different” characters and their accents was comparable to a child trying different accents. And for some reason, he likes to drop his voice down so low and quiet at almost every sentence. All in all, not impressed with the narration, 10/10 would recommend the book though.

encapsulating story

narration needs to work on different characters but was good enough to follow nonetheless

Merging of Series! *chefs kiss*

Can’t even begin to say how much this middle series bringing the two worlds together has formulated a lot of my joys of fantasy in my head. I read it when it first came out and just listened for the first time. For some it might seem slow, but everything is setting up either merging the past with the present or prepping for the future. So good.

Now.. the narration.. I couldn’t give it a one star but the guy has a great story telling voice. HOWEVER… Panther and Angel…. accents like he was portraying shouldn’t have gotten out of the first cut… super sus/stereotypical, especially for being released in 2022… I will say I don’t understand the softness other people said, I was able to hear just fine the whole time without headphones.

Regardless!! Was a good listen, the next one sounds way more appropriate!

amazing narration!!

the story was fantastic, but the narrator was phenomenal!!! his story telling was like he was actually there and recalling it from memory.

Great book, terrible narrator

This book is a terrific backstory to the Shannara series. As usual Brooks weaves several stories together with strong imagery. But the narrator makes Logan Tom sound like a dunce. The Ghosts sound like 5 year olds. And his voice loses its character’s inflection frequently. The next 2 books in this series are read by a much better narrator.

Fascinating

Loved it! Did not want to put it down. The Narrarator was very compelling.

A great story

Terry Brooks has created such a tragic and heart wrenching story of despair and desperation. The first in a series of three, Armageddon’s Children lays the groundwork for the eventual Shannara series. A wonderful story that unfortunately is diminished by a substandard performance by the narrator. His normal reading voice is fine, but too many of the characters sound like stereotypes.

Good stuff!

Starts slow but picks up speed! I am starting the next book now. I am captivated...

Love Brooks, a must listen but narrator frustrates

Love Terry Brooks, he always delivers, Another great story with good characters. But I found myself distracted by the narrator who voices every character at times as if they are unhinged children, and goes from speaking so loudly the speakers pop to speaking so softly you can't understand what he's saying, even if you crank it.