Wards of Faerie

The Dark Legacy of Shannara

By: Terry Brooks

Narrated by: Rosalyn Landor

Length: 14 hrs and 24 mins

Publisher's summary

Seven years after the conclusion of the High Druid of Shannara trilogy, New York Times best-selling author Terry Brooks at last revisits one of the most popular eras in the legendary epic fantasy series that has spellbound listeners for more than three decades.

When the world was young, and its name was Faerie, the power of magic ruled - and the Elfstones warded the race of Elves and their lands, keeping evil at bay. But when an Elven girl fell hopelessly in love with a Darkling boy of the Void, he carried away more than her heart.

Thousands of years later, tumultuous times are upon the world now known as the Four Lands. Users of magic are in conflict with proponents of science. Elves have distanced their society from the other races. The dwindling Druid order and its teachings are threatened with extinction. A sinister politician has used treachery and murder to rise as prime minister of the mighty Federation. Meanwhile, poring through a long-forgotten diary, the young Druid Aphenglow Elessedil has stumbled upon the secret account of an Elven girl's heartbreak and the shocking truth about the vanished Elfstones. But never has a little knowledge been so very dangerous - as Aphenglow quickly learns when she's set upon by assassins.

Yet there can be no turning back from the road to which fate has steered her. For whoever captures the Elfstones and their untold powers will surely hold the advantage in the devastating clash to come. But Aphenglow and her allies - Druids, Elves, and humans alike - remember the monstrous history of the Demon War, and they know that the Four Lands will never survive another reign of darkness. But whether they themselves can survive the attempt to stem that tide is another question entirely.

©2012 Terry Brooks (P)2012 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

"[Terry Brooks is] the most important fantasy writer since J.R.R. Tolkien." ( Rocky Mountain News)

A bit bare but I enjoyed it all the same.

To keep it short:
I really enjoyed the book. The second half seemed bare and the narration was quiet. But if you want to give it a go I'd recomend it.

Fun twice

A story that is easy to follow and still worth a second listen. Not bogged down in intra-cranial debates and angst yet full of intrigue, with some simply satisfying resolutions.

Loved it!

What did you like best about this story?

The story drew me in and I couldn't "put the book down".

Have you listened to any of Rosalyn Landor’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I have not listened to this reader before but feel she did a very good job. I didn't have difficulty following the story, who was talking, etc... due to her change of voice and identification of person.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

The book did make me laugh though I did not cry.

Cliffhanger....otherwise excellent

Excellent plot. Characters are well described. narrated exceptionally well. I will listen to it again for sure. But you need to buy all three because of the cliffhanger ending.

Felt like a 1/3 of a book

What did you like best about Wards of Faerie? What did you like least?

I honestly don't remember the book that well. I just remembered felling slighly ripped off...like I paid a full credit for a third of a book...I know it was like 14 hours long it just felt really incomplete.

What was most disappointing about Terry Brooks’s story?

Lack of an ending...clearly part of a series didn't even feel like a full book

What does Rosalyn Landor bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

I don't know

Do you think Wards of Faerie needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

yes!

Any additional comments?

This book is what made me turn to overdrive....the on-line library audiobook system through the public library. I can't see paying for this. I also found it for free there. IT is great in that it opened my eyes to the fact that I am spending $$$ every month for books I could be listening to for free! So I guess in this sense it was an awesome book because it will save me money!

Good twist but somewhat predictable

My husband and I have read just by every single book of Terry Brooks. They’re really great reading easy to enjoy and a follow the history and every side stories. I’ve grown to the point where I recognize that there are times where I can predict what’s going to happen more often then I know and I can see hints where they’re dropping. You think nobody would notice, so if you want something to really is challenge you, this is probably not going to be. But if you just like listening to a good story this is for you.

Staying Dynamic

I enjoyed this book more when I listened the second time!
I am, continually, impressed with the way his books avoid repetitive plot lines. I enjoy the many perspectives he provides. A time when the druids are less than respected is a far cry from the intimidating, often cryptic Allanon.

The Fall

Institutions are not forever. Our hearts and minds will continue to grow and always remember the places where we did the learning.

Fantastic!

Narration is great. The story of high caliber as all of Terry Brooks tales are!

Good Addition

A good addition to the long list of Shannara books. A little vague at times throughout the story, but I'm sure all will be revealed as the series unfolds.