The Sorcerer's Daughter

The Defenders of Shannara

By: Terry Brooks

Narrated by: Simon Vance

Length: 11 hrs and 17 mins

Publisher's Summary

The world of Shannara is brimming with untold stories and unexplored territory. Now best-selling author Terry Brooks breaks new ground with a stand-alone adventure that’s sure to thrill veteran listeners and recent converts alike.

The mysterious, magic-wielding Druid order has existed for long ages, battling any evil that threatens the Four Lands - and struggling to be understood and accepted by outsiders. But their hopes of building goodwill are dashed when a demon’s murderous rampage at a peace summit leaves their political opponents dead - casting new suspicions upon the Druids and forcing them to flee from enemies both mortal and monstrous. 

Paxon Leah, the order’s appointed protector, knows that blame lies with Arcannen Rai, the vile sorcerer he has battled and defeated before. But there’s no time to hunt his nemesis, if he is to lead the wrongfully accused Druids to their sanctuary. It is a quest fraught with danger, as a furious government agent and his army snap at their heels, and lethal predators stalk them in the depths of the untamed wilderness.  

But Arcannen is playing a deeper game than Paxon realizes. Paxon’s sister possesses a powerful magic that the sorcerer longs to control - but Arcannen has not reckoned with the determination of his own estranged daughter, Leofur, who is also Paxon’s devoted lifemate. Leofur sets out on a perilous quest to thwart her father’s desires - while the vengeful Arcannen conjures his blackest magical skills, determined to destroy them all...and claim the most powerful of magics for his own.

©2016 Terry Brooks (P)2016 Random House Audio

not my favorite

I'm a big fan of Terry Brooks but I've got to say I felt like someone else wrote this book. the names and settings were all familiar but the writing style seemed forced and lack luster. I could not get into the characters. he spent too much time in the head of the one character to the point of annoying me. the saving grace was that the voice actor was very good.

What Happened Terry?

What would have made The Sorcerer's Daughter better?

Terry Brooks is by far my favorite storyteller. So, it is so sad to see such a disappointing series, with this book being the worst of the three. This series and book are full of uninteresting and boring characters, extremely predictable plot, and painfully awkward development of falling in love. So, we as Shannara fans get to go from truly awesome villains like the Warlock lord, Findo Gask, and Tael Riverine to a pathetic villain like Arcannen? The druids are now a bunch on pansies. I think Allanon or Walker could have singlehandedly taken out the entire druid order. I know I’m being a bit harsh on this book and series, but as I’ve said, Terry is my favorite storyteller, and having read all of his books multiple times, I know he can write a much better series. Perhaps he phoned this one in.

What do you think your next listen will be?

More Terry Brooks

Which scene was your favorite?

When it finally ended

If you could play editor, what scene or scenes would you have cut from The Sorcerer's Daughter?

I would have cut the entire book.

Is this the same author? Where is Terry Brooks?

When the book starts off by changing a character from a gnome to a dwarf it was apparent something was up. Then came the "life partner" crap. Marriage can't happen in this book, only "life partners" of all types.
I have been a Terry Brooks fan forever, sadly this was the worst book yet & I am not sure how to proceed.
should have been called "the death of Shannara" instead of the "defenders" of it.

A good read but the audio book has some mistakes

Peace talks between The Federation and The Druid Order are interrupted when an attack is launched and it appears The Druid are responsible, but are they? Journey with the small Druid party as they make their way back to Paranor through dangerous terrain. They are being hunted by Federation forces. Will any of them make it back alive? I found this to be a good read. The only complaint I have is some inconsistency between the Kindle version and the Audible version. One of the secondary characters, Oost the Druid Weapons Master, is described as a Gnome in the Kindle book. In the Audible book he is said to be a Dwarf. That bugged me quite a bit bit as I like to read along in my Kindle book while listening with Audible at the same time.

good listen

good listen. I listen on my commute to work and couldn't wait to get back on my car to hear more!

let down

What could Terry Brooks have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?

Story line and characters were not up to the level that I am used to getting from Terry brooks. I really didn't like any of his main characters.

What character would you cut from The Sorcerer's Daughter?

I really didn't like any of his main characters.

meh...

meh. ok story. predictable. good performance. spoiler alert....... what happened to the elves? and only 2 dwarves?

I still love it

Been reading terry brooks since I was 15 still love them would like some books on the magic kingdom for something different

Good listed, but, not a fan of then ending.

liked both adventures, but, don't like what happened to Paxson. He didn't deserve what happened.

Ghostwriter. Has to be.

This book is absolutely terrible. The plot is only weaker than the characters. And I have LOVED Shannara for over the 30 years. I’m writing this review after listening to the first three of The Fall of Shannara which is AMAZING. This is sadly passable. At least Simon Vance learns the ropes. So disappointed in this trilogy but glad I didn’t give up!