The Measure of the Magic

Legends of Shannara

By: Terry Brooks

Narrated by: Phil Gigante

Length: 14 hrs and 19 mins

Publisher's Summary

For 500 years, the survivors of the Great Wars lived peacefully in a valley sanctuary shielded by powerful magic from the blighted and dangerous outside world. But the enchanted barriers have crumbled, the borders have been breached by predators, and the threat of annihilation looms large once more.

Sider Ament, bearer of the last black staff and its profound power, devoted his life to protecting the valley and its inhabitants - and, in his final moments, gave stewardship of the black staff to the young Tracker Panterra Qu. Now the newly anointed Knight of the Word must take up the battle against evil wherever it threatens: from without, where an army of bloodthirsty Trolls is massing for invasion; and from within, where the Elf king of Arborlon has been murdered, his daughter, Princess Phryne Amarantyne, stands accused, and a heinous conspiracy is poised to subjugate the kingdom. But even these will pale beside the most harrowing menace Panterra is destined to confront - a nameless, merciless figure who wanders the devastated land on a relentless mission: to claim the last black staff... and the life of he who wields it.

©2011 Terry Brooks (P)2011 Brilliance Audio, Inc.

Awesome

What did you love best about The Measure of the Magic?

Both this story and the bearer of the black staff are great stories. I loved the flow of the stories, the characters, and the plot development. I've read other reviews about these stories, and they criticize the storytelling, author, and his characters. If you have read all of the shannara series then you know Brook's style of writing, his characters growth and progression throughout the story, and basic storyline. Reading one of these books does not make you qualified to comment on terry brooks or his books. These two books are yet another wonderful start to another shannara series. Can't wait for the next book. Great job Mr. Brooks, you haven't lost any talent.

The Magic Has Been Lost

I want to start with the statement that I grew up an avid fan of Terry Brooks and have loyally bought each book and listened to over half of them through Audible, so it pains me to write this review. I have never been more frustrated with a book than I have with this one and its predecessor. I picked up this new series to get an understanding of the transition from the old world to the world of Shannara but am only finishing this book out of stubbornness. I have never experienced such a weak cast of characters, 90% of the dialogue consists of the characters sobbing over their fears and unworthiness to the point it pained me. I truly have no idea how anything was accomplished with the time spent by the characters talking themselves down, if they had whips I wouldn't doubt we would have lost more time with them flogging themselves.

As for the reader, it was a Gigante failure. If I have learned one thing it is to avoid any books read by Mr. Gigante. While it pains me, I am sorry to say I will not be buying anymore Terry Brooks books as I do not want to lose the fondness for his earlier works.

Wished for More

Really love the whole series from the Sword til now. However, I was left wishing for more in this latest episode. Would have loved to learn more about the Ragpicker. Where was he during the time of the Hawk? This just seemed to gloss over each subplot during the story. Glad I listened, just not the best of the series.

Ragpicker, Ragpicker

When I first read this in hardback (before I lost most of my sight) this was just a good Shannara book. That being said...holy s##t does Phill Gigante knock the book out of the park. Especially the Ragpicker...forever will Phil’s voice be this truly terrifying villain’s voice. (He’s Mark Hamill’s Joker good). All of the characters are well written and the plot is a lot fun. It’s basically a maniacal demon hunting the last Knight of the Word as humans and elves emerge into the world for the first time since the Great Wars.

Slow to develop...

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

This book developed very slow, in my opinion. And the hour after hour of rhetorical introspection by the heroes, was boring, Terry Brooks has written some great books that I have enjoyed, but the last couple, in my opinion, no longer has the same level of excitement, given the heroes keep getting beat down until the end of the book.

Not to my liking.

Well done

Not as good as the first book (Bearers of the Black Staff) but a job well done in following up with the characters. Intrigued me enough to want to hear more about Shannara.

mores miles down the road

Would you listen to The Measure of the Magic again? Why?

yes, keeps me interested, and on the edge of my seat

What other book might you compare The Measure of the Magic to and why?

the first one

Which scene was your favorite?

when they fight all sences

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

both

Any additional comments?

no

Terry Brooks does it again- great story.

Would you listen to The Measure of the Magic again? Why?

Yes, I like the story enough that I will re-listen again.

What did you like best about this story?

Terry often is very hard on the heroes and is very believable even though we all know the whole thing is pure fiction.

Which character – as performed by Phil Gigante – was your favorite?

Great performance Prue and her partner. Gray man the main character was second.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Yes the battle with the Trolls. The bold move to save Prue from the Trolls camp, followed by the stand off at the fortress.

shades of gray in bright colors

I enjoyed this story very much. Easy to be in Shannara. I like the charaters, they where well read and easy to see.

A great read.

As was all Terry Brooks stories, the plot was well put together. At the risk of being a spoiler, but trying to my best to gingerly step around it, I'm only disappointed in a few of the situations where I feel that some characters were killed off that I would have liked to seen survive.