Search - Running With the Demon (Word and Void Trilogy, Bk 1)

If you're looking for swords, the Silver River, elves etc- they aren't here... yet. A prequel series (capable of standing on its own), this first book introduces us to the world that spawned Shannara and (not entirely surprisingly) it turns out to be our own. The first few chapters seem a bit 'off' (because they are? Or because you've already read the rest?) but if you stick with it you'll find a good story and if you read the next 2 in the series you'll see where it ever so slightly starts to pull toward Shannara just in time for the newest series (Genesis of Shannara) to finish piecing it together for you.

It wasn't a bad book, exactly, but I found the storyline to be a bit sparse and mundane, and I skimmed the last half of the book because I thought it was really pretty boring. I don't quite understand how other reviewers found it "enthralling" because so much of it seems plodding. Also, how many times does Brooks really need to tell us that the feeders are at the edges of our vision or invisible to most people? And how many times does he have to remind us that only certain people can see the demon? It seems like this is the author's way of avoiding lengthy visual descriptions -- it's easier just to portray the creatures as "indistinct", or to say that Nest's magic just "happens" without explaining the mechanisms.

To me, compared to many of Terry Brooks' books in the Shannara series, this seems like an amateur attempt. Of course, I also think some of his later books in the Shannara series become too repetitive, so a departure from his usual formula is a change for the better -- even if it didn't hold my interest at all.

Although it's not set in a fantasy environnment, it's still pretty typical Terry Brooks. it's entertaining enough.

It took me a while to get into this one. But after about half way, the pace really picked up and I couldn't put it down. Great action!

a breathe taking run of near-catastrophes and revelations...Now the future humanity depends upon a man haunted by his dreams and a gifted young girl-two souls who will discover what survives when hope and innocence are shattered forever....

A stand-alone volume. Interesting, if a bit talky.