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37th out of 153 books
—
209 voters
The Talismans Of Shannara (Heritage of Shannara #4)
by
Terry Brooks (Goodreads Author)
Although some of the goals to keep Shannara safe had been met, the work of Walker Boh, Wren, and Par was not yet done. For The Shadowmen still swarmed over the Four Lands, poisoning all with their dark magic. Each Shannaran had a special death waiting for him- at the hands of The Shadowmen-unless Par could find a way to free them all with the Sword of Shannara.
Published
October 1999
(first published 1993)
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The Talismans of Shannara by Terry Brooks is the fourth book in the Heritage of Shannara series set in the Shannara universe. This book concludes the series and so answers many of the questions which the other books opened up. While all of the main characters from the series have a role to play in this book, the focus is on the two Ohmsford brothers, Par and Coll. They are on a quest to find any magical device as Par already has the sword but instead to discover who they are and what they can do...more
Il quarto e ultimo libro della seconda saga di Shannara.
Il compimento, il momento in cui tutti i tasselli si incastrano perfettamente al loro posto come un puzzle finalmente riuscito.
Mi fa sempre uno strano effetto leggere la conclusione di una saga; penso che sia principalmente perché se un lettore trova la pazienza di leggere quattro libri, vuol dire che qualcosa quella saga gli ha comunicato. E se l’ultimo libro, per un motivo o per un altro, arriva dopo anni, leggerlo è un’emozione unica: è...more
Il compimento, il momento in cui tutti i tasselli si incastrano perfettamente al loro posto come un puzzle finalmente riuscito.
Mi fa sempre uno strano effetto leggere la conclusione di una saga; penso che sia principalmente perché se un lettore trova la pazienza di leggere quattro libri, vuol dire che qualcosa quella saga gli ha comunicato. E se l’ultimo libro, per un motivo o per un altro, arriva dopo anni, leggerlo è un’emozione unica: è...more
Apr 02, 2013
Timothy
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
read-reviewed-in-2013
The Talismans of Shannara, by Terry Brooks, is the fourth and final book in The Heritage of Shannara quartet of novels. All of the threads of the previous three novels are now coming to fruition, as the Elves lead by Wren Ohmsford Elessedil, the Druids resurrected by Walker Boh, and the Sword of Shannara, found by Par Ohmsford, are all converging on a final battle with the Shadowen-controlled Federation.
Of course, this is not even the most critical factor in the heroes' success. That distinction...more
Of course, this is not even the most critical factor in the heroes' success. That distinction...more
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
I should have added a reminder to all of the other Shannara reviews I've written the fact that these books are written for young people. When I originally read these books, they were astounding. But now they seem a bit hollow. Upon rereading the Talismans of Shannara, I've discovered that the depth is not nearly what I remember.
Nonetheless, a lesson is awaiting those who are willing to read it. And the characters come to the natural conclusion of the quadrilogy, although not necessarily the one...more
Nonetheless, a lesson is awaiting those who are willing to read it. And the characters come to the natural conclusion of the quadrilogy, although not necessarily the one...more
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
I will admit I liked this book when I first read it, but I was young and foolish at the time. This book does NOT hold up on re-reading.
The promising parts aren't major players, alas. Wren becomes an idiot and barely has any screen time. Walker is still basically cool (at least in the first half of the book), but then gets infected with terminal stupidity in the ending ("I'm in such a damn hurry to rest I can't stop at the victory feast?"), not to mention abandoning the "Rargh I hate druids and t...more
The promising parts aren't major players, alas. Wren becomes an idiot and barely has any screen time. Walker is still basically cool (at least in the first half of the book), but then gets infected with terminal stupidity in the ending ("I'm in such a damn hurry to rest I can't stop at the victory feast?"), not to mention abandoning the "Rargh I hate druids and t...more
The final book in the Heritage of Shannara is an old friend, read long ago and revisited periodically when the rain and wind beat against the windows. The Heritage series contains my favorite character in this world of magic bright and evil, Druids, Elves, dark creatures and intricate plots: Walker Boh. In The Talisamans of Shannara, Walker recognizes and accepts his destiny and helps the other descendants of Shannara in their quest to do the same.
Terry Brooks has created an amazing world in the Shannara series. I have never come across a fantasy series I liked more. (Including Lord of the Rings.)
The first novel, Sword of Shannara is a masterpiece. It makes you cry for more. This next series, 4 books in all, called the Heritage of Shannara is great as well. Start with Sword of shannara, and follow through these others. If you liked LOR, you can't miss absolutely loving Sword of Shannara!
The first novel, Sword of Shannara is a masterpiece. It makes you cry for more. This next series, 4 books in all, called the Heritage of Shannara is great as well. Start with Sword of shannara, and follow through these others. If you liked LOR, you can't miss absolutely loving Sword of Shannara!
I will always remember that the original cover of this book (the edition I have) featured a character who had lost an arm in the previous books, only his "stump" was on the wrong side on this cover. Later in the book, he puts both his hands on a door . . . I was rather disappointed by this, as I had been waiting for years for this book . . . But overall it was a fun series, though not as great as the original trilogy.
Feb 07, 2013
Al
added it
SUMMARY:
Although some of the goals to keep Shannara safe had been met, the work of Walker Boh, Wren, and Par was not yet done. For The Shadowmen still swarmed over the Four Lands, poisoning all with their dark magic. Each Shannaran had a special death waiting for him- at the hands of The Shadowmen-unless Par could find a way to free them all with the Sword of Shannara.
Although some of the goals to keep Shannara safe had been met, the work of Walker Boh, Wren, and Par was not yet done. For The Shadowmen still swarmed over the Four Lands, poisoning all with their dark magic. Each Shannaran had a special death waiting for him- at the hands of The Shadowmen-unless Par could find a way to free them all with the Sword of Shannara.
Soooo...
this was quite good, and a great resolution to all of the storylines we'd been following.
That said, it suffered a bit in comparison to Mockingjay. Although they are completely different books, after being achingly sent through the ringer of Mockingjay, I had a hard time accepting the "easy" resolution of all of the characters in Talismans.
But I will certainly read on in the world of Shannara, regardless.
this was quite good, and a great resolution to all of the storylines we'd been following.
That said, it suffered a bit in comparison to Mockingjay. Although they are completely different books, after being achingly sent through the ringer of Mockingjay, I had a hard time accepting the "easy" resolution of all of the characters in Talismans.
But I will certainly read on in the world of Shannara, regardless.
I read this when I was 13 or 14 years old... it was pure escapism, especially for an awkward teen who could not interact with the world very well. I was very drawn to the characters which I immediately connected with... The emotional investment that the plot required of the reader gave one amazing highs and lows and drew you further into the adventure... What a great and imaginative writer, thanks Terry Brooks...
This book was incredible! The last book of the Heritage of Shannara, it fulfilled the whole series and provided a satisfying end! It is an amazing work of fiction and I was engaged every step of the way! I finished it very quickly because I simply could not wait to find out what happened next! I would highly recommend this book and the three before it to others!
such a disappointing final book in this series. the whole book is just a string of prison breaks, repeated ad nauseum. nothing interesting happens in this whole book. even the end is a let down. brooks should have planned better and just written a trilogy - there's just too much dead weight in the first and last books.
After reading the Sword of Shannera trilogy I found this set of books felt very similar. And too long. I read them all since I had downloaded them and I'm stubborn but by the end I was heartily tired of the battle. I think the plot of Elves/Men/Dwarves/Druids (or Wizards) fighting evil with magic fire & swords has had its day.I'm ready for some fresh & innovative fantasy. This wasn't it.
Shady Vale is the perfect starting point for the beginning of adventure. The Ohmsford's and the druids are our last line of defense against a plot to destroy the world. I love the way Brooks blends fantasy and modern sci-fi into his environments. This is a great series.
I strongly believe terry Brooks is the one who started my love for fantasy, and with this book nonetheless. i read it for the first time in middle school (possibly even 4th grade to be honest) and after that i found all the Shannara books i could as well as my love for reading.
This was a very engaging series to read. One of those books that takes place in a land like Lord of the Rings land but actually manages not to borrow too much from Lord of the rings. Not sure I'll ever need to read it again, but definitely good to pass the time with.
Good book to conclude the series. I would've liked more form the ending. New character in every book, the ones introduced in this book were okay. Not too much to say about this book, but pretty good ending.
I really would have given the end of the Heritage of Shannara series 4 stars, but Brooks screwing up Walker's character at the end and having NUMEROUS times where two hands are being used when he definitely only has one was just poor editing. It was clear that the ending was written before several of the events of the series, that, or the editing was so slipshod that a 10 year old could have done better. (I remember being bothered by this on my first reading as a kid as well).
Other than a few fl...more
Other than a few fl...more
This was another good one. I still liked the last book better, but this was a good one. It had some twists and turns I wasn't expecting, then it got predictable. Still a fun read.
Will be a Terry Brooks fan til the day I die! Suspense, fear, hope, triumph, timelessness~ just got so tired of the sewers though.....
I first read Terry Brooks when I was in Junior High....He was better than JRR Tolkien to me! fantastic epic story of good vs evil !!!
A wonderful book...it's the lesser of the three stories in the heritage series, in my opinion, but still an amazing book.
Apr 06, 2012
Branwen
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
Fantasy fans, fans of Terry Brooks' Shannara series
Shelves:
fantasy-science-fiction
This was the last book in the Heritage of Shannara series, and it was a great ending! All loose ends tied up, all mysteries revealed, all characters fates decided. Loved it!
Pretty good but just a bit disappointing after Elfstones (I am reading these out of order, I know!).
Terry Brooks has such a wonderful and poetic way of telling a story. He makes the characters your friends. You see yourself in their struggles with these "imaginary" forces that translate into these universal things that we all do battle with. My life is more meaningful and poetic having read this series.
My favorite quote of the whole series:
"What...had {been} left behind was not meant to be kept secret or hidden. It was meant to be shared. And memories, he knew, were not glass treasures to be k...more
My favorite quote of the whole series:
"What...had {been} left behind was not meant to be kept secret or hidden. It was meant to be shared. And memories, he knew, were not glass treasures to be k...more
I registered a book at BookCrossing.com!
http://www.BookCrossing.com/journal/11696283
http://www.BookCrossing.com/journal/11696283
Good plot, okay writing style. Very traditional - just another fantasy novel.
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Terry Brooks was born in Illinois in 1944, where he spent a great deal of his childhood and early adulthood dreaming up stories in and around Sinnissippi Park, the very same park that would eventually become the setting for his bestselling Word & Void trilogy. He went to college and received his undergraduate degree from Hamilton College, where he majored in English Literature, and he received...more
More about Terry Brooks...
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