An excellent book and conclusion to the series. The way this book wrapped up the story made up for the flaws in the last two books. There were a couple of places where it did seem as though something unlikely had to happen to keep the story going, but for the most part I thought it really flowed well.

Le Quattro Terre plastificate

Si sente la mancanza di pianificazione circa l'inserimento di alcuni personaggi principali - Wren e Walker i più interessanti - e più in generale risulta piuttosto palpabile la pavidità nell'inserire dettagli nuovi che possano ridare un po' di linfa a una storia troppo uguale a se stessa.
Ah, il finale è più pilotato di un Boeing 747 (ma con il Moric sulla Zolomach, quarto ciclo, Terry Brooks raggiungerà l'amalgama definitiva di trashume mista a svogliatezza).

Re-read this today on a whim - great read, one if the many books that helped shape me

Enjoyable ending to the series. Ending felt a bit rushed and the 'bad guys' seemed quite weak.

Wren is the best character that Brooks has written (at least, in the first 7 major novels of the Shannara series. This set of 4 books was wonderful and thrilling, and I am excited to continue my Shannara journey.

http://www.goodreads.com/search?utf8=%E2%9C%93&q=terry+brooks&search_type=books&search%5Bfield%5D=author#

Star Rating: 5 stars

Note: This is the 4th and final book in The Heritage of Shannara series and the 7th book in the overarching Shannara series so this will not be an in-depth review.

When I am reading through a series, I try to read a book every month until I get caught up on it or until I finish it in its entirety, and I got one more step closer to this goal when it comes to the Shannara book by Terry Brooks by reading The Talismans of Shannara, book 4 of the Heritage of Shannara series and book 7 in the over-arching Shannara epic. This book wraps up the story of Par, Coll, Wren, and Walker as they struggle to fulfill their charges that the shades of Allanon gave them in book 1 and to save their world from the Shadowen threat.

As always, my favorite part of this book is the themes that Brooks explores and, in this installment, he chooses to address truth and responsibility. This series happens hundreds after the conclusion of the 1st 3 books and the events of aforesaid books have faded into the realm of myth and legend. When the land starts to show signs of poisoning, people start to blame it on the actions of the characters of 1st trilogy without even realizing that they may be falling prey to rumor and misconceptions. In order to clear their family names and, possibly, save the world, the descendants of the original narrative decide to discover the truth, come to terms with the legacies of their ancestors, and the responsibilities that these legacies entail. Each character in this story goes on a journey to find their truth and learn how to be responsible when it comes to this truth and I was totally invested in each and every one.

Speaking of the characters’ journeys in this book, I love the fact that instead of focusing on the overarching events (he does chronicle them!!!), Brooks chooses to focus on how his characters are affected by and changed as a result of the overarching plot and it adds a personal touch to the story that I really enjoy as it makes the book much more immersive for me.

All in all, Brooks holds on to his position as my all-time favorite author, even though this book is not my favorite that he has written. 5 stars and have already requested the next one, First King of Shannara, from my library!!!!!!