Anybody
who read Wards of Faerie (also reviewed
on this site) is surely cheering that the second part
of the trilogy is at last out. This is a
new set of books about the magical land of Shannara
and follows the adventures of various existing series
characters. The expedition to find the long-lost
blue elfstones has not gone well. The party
has ended up in the Forbidding, a dangerous region where
long-banished creatures like dragons and goblins live. With
not many of the party left, staying alive has become
the most important issue. Meanwhile Arlingfant
has discovered something about the magical tree Ellcrys
that could change everything…
This is real fantasy; quests, dragons,
elves, dwarves, magic the whole lot. If you
are thinking that it sounds too retro think again, for
this is a land torn between magic and science, with
steampunk style airships and a sinister SF style Federation. I
don’t think, however, despite the flyleaf’s
words that this series is suitable for somebody who
has not read any of the previous books. It
will certainly serve to whet your appetite to go back
and read them, but by then you will have encountered
rather a lot of plot spoilers, and puzzled your way
through the parts of the story where a bit of prior
knowledge would make all the difference. This
is an exciting tale for all that, and ought to remind
anybody that good old classic D&D style stuff with
a modernising tweak here and there is well worth reading.
You are in safe hands with this author who essentially
kick started fantasy way back in 1977 and a rattling
good read is guaranteed with many plot strands and a
lot of lively action. Second books are often
those where the plot treads water but new elements are
introduced and expect some surprises. Highly
recommended.
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