gilda_elise

Five hundred years have passed since the devastating demon-led war that almost exterminated humankind. Those who escaped the carnage were led to sanctuary by the boy saviour known as Hawk: the gypsy morph. But now, the unimaginable has come to pass: the cocoon of protective magic surrounding the valley has vanished.

When Sider Ament, last surviving Knight of the Word, detects unknown predators stalking the valley, and Trackers from the human village of Glensk Wood, find two of their own gruesomely killed, there can be no doubt: the once safe haven of generations has been laid bare. Together, the young Trackers, the aging Knight, and a daring Elf princess race to spread word of the encroaching danger. But suspicion and hostility among their countrymen threaten to doom their efforts from within, while beyond the breached borders, a ruthless Troll army masses for invasion. Standing firm between the two, the last wielder of the black staff and its awesome magic must find a successor to carry on the fight against the cresting new wave of evil.

A great filler between the story of Mankind’s fall (Genesis of Shannara,) and the original Shannara novels, though I would have preferred maybe a little less time to have gone by. We get very little information as to how those saved set about setting up their civilization.

Still, the story os a good one, with some memorable characters (and some not so memorable.) I would have loved to know more about their history, especially that of Sider Ament the “Gray Man.” And, again, I find the human characters more interesting than the elves. Most of the elves we meet are either ridiculously evil, or a bit thick. Not that there aren’t evil humans around. But, so far, they’re pretty much in the background.

I’m looking forward to the sequel. Hopefully, more information will be forthcoming regarding the characters who remain, and those who have gone on.