The Last Druid

The Fall of Shannara, Book 4

By: Terry Brooks

Narrated by: Simon Vance

Length: 15 hrs and 5 mins

Publisher's summary

New York Times best seller

Hope blooms anew for the Four Lands in this riveting conclusion, not only to the Fall of Shannara series but to the entire Shannara saga - a truly landmark event more than 40 years in the making!

Since he first began the Shannara saga in 1977, Terry Brooks has had a clear idea of how the series should end, and now that moment is at hand.

As the Four Lands reels under the Skaar invasion - spearheaded by a warlike people determined to make this land their own - our heroes must decide what they will risk to save the integrity of their home. Even as one group remains to defend the Four Lands, another is undertaking a perilous journey across the sea to the Skaar homeland, carrying with them a new piece of technology that could change the face of the world forever. And yet a third is trapped in a deadly realm from which there may be no escape.

Filled with twists and turns and epic feats of derring-do - not untouched by tragedy - this is vintage Terry Brooks and a fitting end to a saga that has gathered generations of readers into its fold.

©2020 Terry Brooks (P)2020 Random House Audio

The last of my Shannara

Wow I can’t believe this is the last of the Shannara ! I love my Shannara series of books from the sword and the first Druid to the Last Druid! From my high school to my retirement I have read Terry Brooks Shannara and will read them over and over. Always in my heart and I will always suggest for children all the way to adults to seniors❣️

poor effort with no conclusions

I have long felt that the last decade has really been Terry's worst work. his writing style has dramatically changed over time to become more and more brief, with less character building, relying on his world That he's built over several decades. I respect and love this author for introducing me to fantasy as a child. however I am deeply disappointed with the lack of effort in this final book that wraps up the wonderful world of Shannara

Almost unlistenable

The Last Druid is not nearly as well written as the first three books in the series. The story’s themes stray far from the original plot line and become ridiculous and fantastical, there’s a lot of repetition, and characters start making very stupid decisions. I’m half way through and don’t plan on wasting another seven hours on this nonsense. Bummer, the first few books are actually good. Simon Vance’s superb narration is constant throughout the series.
Read the first, forget the rest.

Not the finale you'd expect.

I've followed this series 36 years. Mr. Brooks has served the best series in his lifetime. That being said the story was good, but I myself thought there would be more to this fall of shannara. Other than that it really is just the conclusion of the Grianne ohmsford story. Still a good book and a must have.

Not Brooks best work

The story was predictable on levels if shouldn't have been to be enjoyable. I've been of fan of Terry Brooks for many years, but this last 4 book series seemed rushed and badly written. Every character had intuition to rival a mind reader and it made them all seem unreal. Characters made mind boggling decisions at times that were clearly story devices and nothing else.

The worst part was that most characters deaths that should feel stunning were so obviously foreshadowed you were already prepared for it. Dissapointed.

Yawn

This book suffered from a major flaw, aside from Terry Brooks’ knack for deus ex machina magic — it was boring. A poor resolution to a mediocre series. Even Simon Vance couldn’t bring much life to this bread and mayonnaise sandwich of a book.

Unbearable narration

I’m not sure why most fantasy books or anything with a sword and magic in the story has to have a narrator with a British accent. These novels and the entire series was so much better with clear spoken non accented narration.. The narrator (Simon Vance) with all due respect (because I know he is a talented and well respected voice actor)makes the story difficult to follow. I had to slow the speed down to follow him and all of the characters seemed like they were 100 years old and exhausted while putting on some kind of weird blend of a Russian/Indian accent. He also seemed to be whispering the entire time I had to literally take breaks because it made me start to feel nauseous and give me headaches. I had to power through because I loved all of Terry’s work and needed to finish the Shannara books, but it really hurt the story. As for the content; I miss the simplicity of the older work with different races and large scale medieval type battles with a dark evil protagonist looking to end and enslave the realm, and Terry Brooks does those scenes soooooo very well. I have read many of these types of fantasy series with large scale battles and he does it in a way that makes you feel like you are in the middle of it. There were times while reading or listening that I would get goosebumps from the fear and excitement that one would feel if they were in the actual scene. I did not feel this in these last 3 books however I understand that you cannot write the same books over and over and a transition from magic to science seemed to be made as the books progressed. I would absolutely still recommend the Fall Of Shannara books though, and if the narration isn’t a problem for you then you will thoroughly enjoy this book.

I will miss it

I have been reading fantasy for over 45 years. I started with the Prydain Chronicles, of course Tolkien, and many others over the years. When I first read the original trilogy in this world, I fell in love. I have now read the entire collection and will very much miss all the adventure and wonder of the four lands. Finishing this last book was very bittersweet. I am pleasantly surprised that Tasha lived and with that leaves a possibility of further stories. I had thought she would have to die as the “last Druid” for a true ending, but this is better. Thanks Terry for the lifetime of wonderful stories that I have read and reread and will reread again.

the end

I started reading these books years ago as they came out, but life got in the way as often happens, so I put down my books and raised a family.

I started listening to Mr. Brooks Shanara series several months ago, following the "new reader" recommended list and thoroughly enjoyed each of the books. The Last Druid was just as good as all the rest, but it made me sad that I had finished this journey.

I highly recommend this entire storyline and each of the series. You could read each book or series by themselves. However, if you start from the beginning, you go on an adventurous journey. Laugh, cry, and hold your breath. Learn, love, and yes, unfortunately, hate. But enjoy always!

Spellbinding Ending to Series

Spent much time in the four lands over the last three plus decades. Always intreging stories to whisk your mind to fantastic adventures. One stuck above all others: Running With the Demon. Enjoyed every book From The Sword of Shanarra till The Last Druid. Never realized how many books I've read.
Mr. Brooks keep up the good work. Better job you have now than being a lawyer on Wacker Drive.