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The Fall of Shannara #2
The Skaar Invasion
SIGNED BY THE AUTHOR, TERRY BROOKS! Following The Black Elfstone, the second book of the epic four-part conclusion to the Shannara series from one of the acknowledged masters of the fantasy genre. Tensions in the Four Lands are high. The mysterious force that laid waste to Paranor has revealed a more human face. While some gain a new understanding of the invaders and what they are after, others continue their existing quests even as the peril rises. For what looked to be a formidable invading force proves only the forerunner of a much vaster army--one that is now marching against the Four Lands in all its fury.
Hardcover
First published May 15, 2018
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About the author
Terry Brooks
419 books77.8k followersTerry 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 his graduate degree from the School of Law at Washington & Lee University.
A writer since high school, he wrote many stories within the genres of science fiction, western, fiction, and non-fiction, until one semester early in his college years he was given The Lord of the Rings to read. That moment changed Terry's life forever, because in Tolkien's great work he found all the elements needed to fully explore his writing combined in one genre.
He then wrote The Sword of Shannara, the seven year grand result retaining sanity while studying at Washington & Lee University and practicing law. It became the first work of fiction ever to appear on the New York Times trade paperback bestseller list, where it remained for over five months.
A writer since high school, he wrote many stories within the genres of science fiction, western, fiction, and non-fiction, until one semester early in his college years he was given The Lord of the Rings to read. That moment changed Terry's life forever, because in Tolkien's great work he found all the elements needed to fully explore his writing combined in one genre.
He then wrote The Sword of Shannara, the seven year grand result retaining sanity while studying at Washington & Lee University and practicing law. It became the first work of fiction ever to appear on the New York Times trade paperback bestseller list, where it remained for over five months.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 275 reviews
June 30, 2018
Terry Brooks is a fine writer of fantasy. His world building is strong and it comes with a huge amount of history and lore, some of which stems from previous books. It’s a great world, though the more books the author churns out the worse it gets.
The problem I have is with Brooks’ inability to devise new plots and characters. I feel like I’ve read this book before because it is so similar to what I have seen before. We have a pair of siblings, the brother is trying to murder the sister whilst the sister is intent on saving her fallen brother from madness. We have an all-powerful druid leader who is trying to save the land from certain doom. Sound familiar? The characters just aren’t distinct enough. I feel like Brooks has just changed the names and written about the same people again.
The Four Lands just do not evolve over time. Despite the vast history and tumultuous events that have occurred, nothing has changed. The only difference here is that we have an outside invader who is about to shake things up and perhaps change the destiny of all the races in Shannara, perhaps leaving it forever different. But I don’t think Brooks has the stones to do that. I think this will all pretty much end where it began. He came up with a good world, and he is clearly reluctant to move away from it or change it at all.
Instead he has milked from it every single last drop of blood to tell his stories. They are trite, clichéd and almost self-plagiarised. I saw some of this surfacing in The Black Elfstone and I really hoped that Brooks was just asserting the familiar to then move away from it in subsequent books. I was wrong. This got worse and it got even more similar to what has come before. I want stand out characters! I want unique heroes! Not three or four characters that are awkwardly identical to their ancestors in every respect but their first name.
There is nothing in particular wrong with The Skaar Invasion or The Fall of Shannara as a series; it’s just that we’ve seen all this sort of thing happen before and I am getting bored of it. For a new reader it would be fine. I will finish this series, but I do hope that it gets better.
5/10 stars- Generous, I know, but this is still Shannara.
The problem I have is with Brooks’ inability to devise new plots and characters. I feel like I’ve read this book before because it is so similar to what I have seen before. We have a pair of siblings, the brother is trying to murder the sister whilst the sister is intent on saving her fallen brother from madness. We have an all-powerful druid leader who is trying to save the land from certain doom. Sound familiar? The characters just aren’t distinct enough. I feel like Brooks has just changed the names and written about the same people again.
The Four Lands just do not evolve over time. Despite the vast history and tumultuous events that have occurred, nothing has changed. The only difference here is that we have an outside invader who is about to shake things up and perhaps change the destiny of all the races in Shannara, perhaps leaving it forever different. But I don’t think Brooks has the stones to do that. I think this will all pretty much end where it began. He came up with a good world, and he is clearly reluctant to move away from it or change it at all.
Instead he has milked from it every single last drop of blood to tell his stories. They are trite, clichéd and almost self-plagiarised. I saw some of this surfacing in The Black Elfstone and I really hoped that Brooks was just asserting the familiar to then move away from it in subsequent books. I was wrong. This got worse and it got even more similar to what has come before. I want stand out characters! I want unique heroes! Not three or four characters that are awkwardly identical to their ancestors in every respect but their first name.
There is nothing in particular wrong with The Skaar Invasion or The Fall of Shannara as a series; it’s just that we’ve seen all this sort of thing happen before and I am getting bored of it. For a new reader it would be fine. I will finish this series, but I do hope that it gets better.
5/10 stars- Generous, I know, but this is still Shannara.
June 19, 2023
“He took the first breath of his new life”
I’ve said it before about Terry Brooks’ novels and I’m happy to repeat it for THE SKAAR INVASION.
As the Shannara universe enters its fifth decade and the series novel count approaches 40, it is difficult to believe that Terry Brooks’ writing remains as compelling, as imaginative, as thrilling, as provocative, as evocative and as exciting as the day I first drooled over THE SWORD OF SHANNARA. It is no small matter of personal pride for me that I can say I was one of those lucky fantasy lovers who stumbled upon the epic Shannara fantasy when it was actually first published and that I have been an ardent fan ever since I first encountered it in the late 1970s. To say that I was enchanted by Shea Ohmsford and Allanon, not to mention the magnificent illustrations of the Brothers Hildebrandt would be a masterpiece of understatement. As the Ringwraiths did in Tolkien’s LORD OF THE RINGS, Brooks’ imagining of the Skullbearers simply gave me goosebumps. A first edition illustrated trade paperback copy sits with no small pride in a valued place on my bookshelves.
In THE SKAAR INVASION, recently deposed and exiled High Druid Drisker Arc begins a rapidly fading life as little more than a spectre imprisoned in Paranor, the defeated Druid stronghold hidden behind magical walls by a treacherous Clizia Porse. After its astonishing defeat of the Druids, the Skaar invasion force, endowed with powerful and hitherto unknown magic, looks to be on pace to overrun the length and breadth of the Four Lands. It has now fallen to Tarsha Kaynin, an untested enchantress who has inherited the Ohmsford family Wishsong magic to protect herself from her own insane brother who wishes nothing more than to kill her and to defend the Four Lands from domination by the evil of the Skaar forces.
The theme is the time-tested chestnut, “good versus evil”, but in the hands of Terry Brooks, every book seems to be new and thrilling. There’s nothing stale here and every page begs to be turned so a reader can get on with this absorbing new tale of Shannara and the dangers facing the Four Lands. I am looking forward with considerable relish to the conclusion of the Invasion trilogy, THE STIEHL ASSASSIN.
Highly recommended.
Paul Weiss
I’ve said it before about Terry Brooks’ novels and I’m happy to repeat it for THE SKAAR INVASION.
As the Shannara universe enters its fifth decade and the series novel count approaches 40, it is difficult to believe that Terry Brooks’ writing remains as compelling, as imaginative, as thrilling, as provocative, as evocative and as exciting as the day I first drooled over THE SWORD OF SHANNARA. It is no small matter of personal pride for me that I can say I was one of those lucky fantasy lovers who stumbled upon the epic Shannara fantasy when it was actually first published and that I have been an ardent fan ever since I first encountered it in the late 1970s. To say that I was enchanted by Shea Ohmsford and Allanon, not to mention the magnificent illustrations of the Brothers Hildebrandt would be a masterpiece of understatement. As the Ringwraiths did in Tolkien’s LORD OF THE RINGS, Brooks’ imagining of the Skullbearers simply gave me goosebumps. A first edition illustrated trade paperback copy sits with no small pride in a valued place on my bookshelves.
In THE SKAAR INVASION, recently deposed and exiled High Druid Drisker Arc begins a rapidly fading life as little more than a spectre imprisoned in Paranor, the defeated Druid stronghold hidden behind magical walls by a treacherous Clizia Porse. After its astonishing defeat of the Druids, the Skaar invasion force, endowed with powerful and hitherto unknown magic, looks to be on pace to overrun the length and breadth of the Four Lands. It has now fallen to Tarsha Kaynin, an untested enchantress who has inherited the Ohmsford family Wishsong magic to protect herself from her own insane brother who wishes nothing more than to kill her and to defend the Four Lands from domination by the evil of the Skaar forces.
The theme is the time-tested chestnut, “good versus evil”, but in the hands of Terry Brooks, every book seems to be new and thrilling. There’s nothing stale here and every page begs to be turned so a reader can get on with this absorbing new tale of Shannara and the dangers facing the Four Lands. I am looking forward with considerable relish to the conclusion of the Invasion trilogy, THE STIEHL ASSASSIN.
Highly recommended.
Paul Weiss
December 30, 2017
This sequel to The Black Elfstone does exactly what it’s supposed to do — with some twists! Where the first book sets up the players and the situation, this one puts it all into chaos. The familiar mingles with fresh ideas, making it an enjoyable read.
Loved Drisker Arc again. But my favorite characters were an Ohmsford and his new sidekick , who may or may not be exactly what the Four Lands needs. Looking forward to Book 3 and of course the final book to the series, Book 4!
Loved Drisker Arc again. But my favorite characters were an Ohmsford and his new sidekick , who may or may not be exactly what the Four Lands needs. Looking forward to Book 3 and of course the final book to the series, Book 4!
July 16, 2025
The Skaar Invasion started up pretty slow. It seemed like everyone was going around in circles. About midway through, things got going again, and once at the end of the book, I couldn't wait to start the next installment of the series. I'm gonna miss the Shannara world when I'm done.
Next hardcover: "The Stiehl Assassin" by Terry Brooks (2019).
Next hardcover: "The Stiehl Assassin" by Terry Brooks (2019).
June 15, 2021
The Skaar Invasion is the 32nd book chronologically in the Shannara series. 4 stars. 🌟🌟🌟🌟
I marked part of my review with spoiler tags in order to not divulge a big part of the plot which affects the rest of the series:
This was a solid story. Drisker Arc’s personal realization and characterization was very well done.
I can definitely see the light at the end of the tunnel for my series re-read. 2 more books to go after basically a year and a half of reading! It’s been an enjoyable ride. I am ready for THE END.
Original review below:
4 stars. The Skaar Invasion was a very solid installment in the Shannara series. This story had a lot of moving parts, but the vast majority of it worked for me. One of the storylines, while it is still epic, felt a little bit forced to me, but the overall plot made up for it.
The two main characters, Drisker Arc and Darcon Leah have been redeemed in this book in my eyes. I really couldn’t stand either of them in The Black Elfstone, but Terry Brooks has made them into good fantasy heroes.
One of the main things that has kept me coming back to the Shannara series is because Terry Brooks continuously produces quality books. He has had a long publishing career (published his first novel, The Sword of Shannara, in 1977), and his work ethic is very impressive with the quality of the books he publishes year after year. I don’t remember the last year he hasn’t published a book - he just keeps them coming - and I have enjoyed every book he has published.
I’m anxious to find out how Brooks is going to end this series! Now I have to wait a whole year for the next one! 🙎🏼♂️
I marked part of my review with spoiler tags in order to not divulge a big part of the plot which affects the rest of the series:
This was a solid story. Drisker Arc’s personal realization and characterization was very well done.
I can definitely see the light at the end of the tunnel for my series re-read. 2 more books to go after basically a year and a half of reading! It’s been an enjoyable ride. I am ready for THE END.
Original review below:
4 stars. The Skaar Invasion was a very solid installment in the Shannara series. This story had a lot of moving parts, but the vast majority of it worked for me. One of the storylines, while it is still epic, felt a little bit forced to me, but the overall plot made up for it.
The two main characters, Drisker Arc and Darcon Leah have been redeemed in this book in my eyes. I really couldn’t stand either of them in The Black Elfstone, but Terry Brooks has made them into good fantasy heroes.
One of the main things that has kept me coming back to the Shannara series is because Terry Brooks continuously produces quality books. He has had a long publishing career (published his first novel, The Sword of Shannara, in 1977), and his work ethic is very impressive with the quality of the books he publishes year after year. I don’t remember the last year he hasn’t published a book - he just keeps them coming - and I have enjoyed every book he has published.
I’m anxious to find out how Brooks is going to end this series! Now I have to wait a whole year for the next one! 🙎🏼♂️
January 8, 2020
IT is difficult to image that there are just two more books left before the world of Shannara comes to a close.
The second book in the tetralogy continues intricately crafted story arcs of Tarsha Kaynin, Drisker Arc and Ajin d’Amphere, with the introduction of one Shea Ohmsford.
While the story is interesting, you will find certain character’s plots more intriguing than others - especially in this novel.
Drisker Arc is trapped in Paranor and spends the entire 367-page novel seeking an escape. I cannot begin to tell you how I began to despise reading his chapters.
Tarsha Kaynin is an all-powerful magic user, as we saw in the previous book, but in The Skaar Invasion she only uses her powers twice, and doesn’t fail to underwhelm you as a reader.
Shea’s character is only introduced later on in the book and, while he feels like a bit of an afterthought, I am definitely keen to see how his storyline evolves in book three.
Ajin probably has the most intriguing chapters of them all. The action and subterfuge that has been knitted into her chapters are a pure delight. She is such a complex character and makes for wonderful reading.
Overall, the book holds well on its own and was only bumped up to a four-star rating because of that ending. Oh my, what an ending it was!
The second book in the tetralogy continues intricately crafted story arcs of Tarsha Kaynin, Drisker Arc and Ajin d’Amphere, with the introduction of one Shea Ohmsford.
While the story is interesting, you will find certain character’s plots more intriguing than others - especially in this novel.
Drisker Arc is trapped in Paranor and spends the entire 367-page novel seeking an escape. I cannot begin to tell you how I began to despise reading his chapters.
Tarsha Kaynin is an all-powerful magic user, as we saw in the previous book, but in The Skaar Invasion she only uses her powers twice, and doesn’t fail to underwhelm you as a reader.
Shea’s character is only introduced later on in the book and, while he feels like a bit of an afterthought, I am definitely keen to see how his storyline evolves in book three.
Ajin probably has the most intriguing chapters of them all. The action and subterfuge that has been knitted into her chapters are a pure delight. She is such a complex character and makes for wonderful reading.
Overall, the book holds well on its own and was only bumped up to a four-star rating because of that ending. Oh my, what an ending it was!
October 21, 2020
Let’s start off with a disclosure of honesty. I have been reading Terry Brooks for a long time, for probably about 30 years. I am a long-time stalwart fan and not afraid to openly admit it.
Like many other die-hard fantasy fans, I have been reading Terry Brooks “Shannara” and “Landover” series for many enjoyable years. I have been introduced to his world in “The Sword of Shannara”, fell in literature love with “The Elfstones of Shannara”, and journeyed through all of the different 3 and 4-book sets over the years, all the way through the recent less than stellar “Defenders of Shannara” series.
Now, after thirty plus years of writing, Brooks is bringing his beloved Shannara series to an end with his 4-book set “The Fall of Shannara”. I purposely waited until right before the publication of the last book in the series to start my reading because Brooks basically writes them as one big book, leaving cliffhangers at the end of each one until the end. Waiting a year between books brings too much pain and frustration, so I wait until each series is completed so the reading flow will not be disrupted.
So, let’s return to Shannara…
The first book in this four-book series, “The Black Elfstone”, ended with several cliffhangers, as you would expect from Brooks. The second book, “The Skaar Invasion” starts immediately afterwards. The multiple storylines involving Dar Leah, the High Druid’s Blade; former High Druid, Drisker Arc; and Tarsha Kaynin, owner of the mysterious magic called the wishsong, all continue to move forward as the Skaar army continued its rampage across the Four Lands.
As I mentioned in my review of “The Black Elfstone”, the key to reading a 3 or 4-book set by Brooks is that they are not individual books with their own endings that build on each other to the end. He writes one full book that is cut into 3 or 4 parts. There is no separation whatsoever. How do you take one large novel and cut into 4 parts and then review it by itself?
And to make it worse, Brooks has the painful habit of adding cliffhangers at the end of each part until the big climactic ending. Literally, one book ends and the next book picks up right from the same moment. And of course, the lead-up to the end of “The Skaar Invasion” includes several key OMG cliffhangers that drive you downright crazy. This is why I wait until all of the books in his sets are published to read them as one complete book. And for me that is the only way to read Terry Brooks. If you cannot wait then all the power to you. You can have that frustration. But for me, this is a much more enjoyable experience.
Having said all that, let me say that halfway through this concluding series, “The Fall of Shannara” has brought us back Brooks at his creative best. He has several characters and multiple plotlines that run parallel and then come together at key moments, supplying emotional payoffs throughout each book. I am pleased to say that is the case for the most part during our final trip through Shannara.
I find it so easy to be captured by Brooks writing style, flow, and storylines. You find yourself carried away in escapist fantasy heaven. In my opinion, he has been one of the most consistent writers of any genre, bringing writers lunchbox to work every day and publishing at least one book a year for over thirty years strong. Not many can claim that same level of consistent delivery to his or her fandom. And, truth be told, I am finding great joy being back in Terry’s wonderful world of Shannara one last time. Two books down and two more to go…
Like many other die-hard fantasy fans, I have been reading Terry Brooks “Shannara” and “Landover” series for many enjoyable years. I have been introduced to his world in “The Sword of Shannara”, fell in literature love with “The Elfstones of Shannara”, and journeyed through all of the different 3 and 4-book sets over the years, all the way through the recent less than stellar “Defenders of Shannara” series.
Now, after thirty plus years of writing, Brooks is bringing his beloved Shannara series to an end with his 4-book set “The Fall of Shannara”. I purposely waited until right before the publication of the last book in the series to start my reading because Brooks basically writes them as one big book, leaving cliffhangers at the end of each one until the end. Waiting a year between books brings too much pain and frustration, so I wait until each series is completed so the reading flow will not be disrupted.
So, let’s return to Shannara…
The first book in this four-book series, “The Black Elfstone”, ended with several cliffhangers, as you would expect from Brooks. The second book, “The Skaar Invasion” starts immediately afterwards. The multiple storylines involving Dar Leah, the High Druid’s Blade; former High Druid, Drisker Arc; and Tarsha Kaynin, owner of the mysterious magic called the wishsong, all continue to move forward as the Skaar army continued its rampage across the Four Lands.
As I mentioned in my review of “The Black Elfstone”, the key to reading a 3 or 4-book set by Brooks is that they are not individual books with their own endings that build on each other to the end. He writes one full book that is cut into 3 or 4 parts. There is no separation whatsoever. How do you take one large novel and cut into 4 parts and then review it by itself?
And to make it worse, Brooks has the painful habit of adding cliffhangers at the end of each part until the big climactic ending. Literally, one book ends and the next book picks up right from the same moment. And of course, the lead-up to the end of “The Skaar Invasion” includes several key OMG cliffhangers that drive you downright crazy. This is why I wait until all of the books in his sets are published to read them as one complete book. And for me that is the only way to read Terry Brooks. If you cannot wait then all the power to you. You can have that frustration. But for me, this is a much more enjoyable experience.
Having said all that, let me say that halfway through this concluding series, “The Fall of Shannara” has brought us back Brooks at his creative best. He has several characters and multiple plotlines that run parallel and then come together at key moments, supplying emotional payoffs throughout each book. I am pleased to say that is the case for the most part during our final trip through Shannara.
I find it so easy to be captured by Brooks writing style, flow, and storylines. You find yourself carried away in escapist fantasy heaven. In my opinion, he has been one of the most consistent writers of any genre, bringing writers lunchbox to work every day and publishing at least one book a year for over thirty years strong. Not many can claim that same level of consistent delivery to his or her fandom. And, truth be told, I am finding great joy being back in Terry’s wonderful world of Shannara one last time. Two books down and two more to go…
April 10, 2022
A solid 2nd entry in the Fall of Shannara series. The Skaar Invasion picks up right after the events of the Black Elfstone, with the druid order destroyed, Drisker Arc trapped in the druid fortress of Paranor in a magical otherspace. His student Tarsha on her way to finally find and help her brother from the powerful magic they both share, but while she has learned to use and control the magic of the Wishsong, her brother is more and more consumed by it and mental illness. The only other survivors of the Druid order's destruction are Dar Leah, the former Blade and protector of the druids, who sets out to find Tarsha to try to help Drisker, and Clizia Porse, who continues her betrayal against the people of the Four Lands, after arranging for the druid order to meet its end. To these characters from the first book, the orphan and street urchin named Shea Omshford is promoted from cameo to main character and has his own adventures.
All of these characters are interesting and have lots of personal and adventurous stories told in the book, but while they are the main characters, the world events of the Skaar invaders continuing their plans of manipulation and conquest are happening without much direct impact on the main characters of the book. The Skaar attacks are completely separate in this book, and told by making their commander another main character. The biggest criticism of the book I have is that it really feels like 2 completely separate books - one about the characters who have lots of cool things going on in their stories, and one about the epic events of the invasion, but they never impact or interact with each other this book at all. It's clearly something which will have to change later in the series, but in book 2, it's disjointed. While book 1 had the issue of being too much prologue and not enough main event, at least the two stories strongly interacted with each other.
That being said, like all Brooks books, this one is a fun and engaging read, as each part, chapter, and story is well crafted, and engaging. Hopefully, sooner rather than later, the series will weave it all together into the epic conclusion that the Shannara series deserves.
All of these characters are interesting and have lots of personal and adventurous stories told in the book, but while they are the main characters, the world events of the Skaar invaders continuing their plans of manipulation and conquest are happening without much direct impact on the main characters of the book. The Skaar attacks are completely separate in this book, and told by making their commander another main character. The biggest criticism of the book I have is that it really feels like 2 completely separate books - one about the characters who have lots of cool things going on in their stories, and one about the epic events of the invasion, but they never impact or interact with each other this book at all. It's clearly something which will have to change later in the series, but in book 2, it's disjointed. While book 1 had the issue of being too much prologue and not enough main event, at least the two stories strongly interacted with each other.
That being said, like all Brooks books, this one is a fun and engaging read, as each part, chapter, and story is well crafted, and engaging. Hopefully, sooner rather than later, the series will weave it all together into the epic conclusion that the Shannara series deserves.
July 5, 2018
More MORE MORE!!! Dangit now I have to wait until next year to find out what happens?? And the stinking cliffhanger.....AAAAAGGGGGHHHH!!
Anyways, Brooks at the top of his game, lovingly carrying out the end of his landmark Shannara series. And as I said in my review of the first book, I’m both sad and thrilled: sad because there will no longer be any Shannara series and thrilled because it’s Shannara. And as usual all of the characters are well thought out. Oddly there is really only one “bad guy” in my opinion so far....or at least one character I want to see dead sooner than later.
I thought I saw one review where the reader was not able to connect to any of the characters. I dunno what book that person read....but to each his own.
Anyways...see the first three words of this review.
Anyways, Brooks at the top of his game, lovingly carrying out the end of his landmark Shannara series. And as I said in my review of the first book, I’m both sad and thrilled: sad because there will no longer be any Shannara series and thrilled because it’s Shannara. And as usual all of the characters are well thought out. Oddly there is really only one “bad guy” in my opinion so far....or at least one character I want to see dead sooner than later.
I thought I saw one review where the reader was not able to connect to any of the characters. I dunno what book that person read....but to each his own.
Anyways...see the first three words of this review.
June 29, 2018
One of the best in the series
Five stars and a bravo! If you are a true follower of this series, and many of the others that Terry Brooks have written, you will not be disappointed. I believe he has come back to a point in his earlier writing where you are immediately caught back up in the story, and know that you already are anxious to read the next. This series has always been one of my favorites along with the Wheel of Time series by Robert Jordan. Read those of you haven't. I am excited as I believe the next in the series will be as important, and as good as if Allanon was reborn. Buy this book.
Five stars and a bravo! If you are a true follower of this series, and many of the others that Terry Brooks have written, you will not be disappointed. I believe he has come back to a point in his earlier writing where you are immediately caught back up in the story, and know that you already are anxious to read the next. This series has always been one of my favorites along with the Wheel of Time series by Robert Jordan. Read those of you haven't. I am excited as I believe the next in the series will be as important, and as good as if Allanon was reborn. Buy this book.
July 5, 2018
As Per Usual for Terry Brooks & the Shannara book!
As always with Terry Brooks and particularly the Shannara books, I was quickly engrossed in his world of fantasy and left hanging on the edge of a cliff at the end! It will just be so long until I can pull myself back up and become re-immersed in the magic of Shannara when the next book is released. Just wish I had the patience to let him get a few books ahead of me.
As always with Terry Brooks and particularly the Shannara books, I was quickly engrossed in his world of fantasy and left hanging on the edge of a cliff at the end! It will just be so long until I can pull myself back up and become re-immersed in the magic of Shannara when the next book is released. Just wish I had the patience to let him get a few books ahead of me.
June 25, 2018
Fun summer read. More of the same by Brooks, but fun nevertheless. Looking forward to seeing how he ends it all (2 more books.)
September 12, 2023
Terry Brooks turns in yet another solid book. This one even more entertaining than the previous one. I think the problem previously is I've been a little disappointed in some of the more recent Shannara series (Defenders of Shannara and Legends of Shannara particularly), and so I feared that Brooks couldn't deliever anymore.
But he starts delievering here!
This book really lives up to the idea of the "Skaar Invasion". What began in book 1 was not a fluke, and you can see their forces growing in this book. Some may consider this book bogged down in "middle-book syndrome", but I both loved the characters and the plot enough that it kept me going.
The last book felt like an homage to Wishsong of Shannara and First King of Shannara. This book, The Skaar Invasion, feels like an homage to The Heritage of Shannara and in a little way "The High Druid of Shannara" Trilogy. I think that each plotline was interesting and exciting.
The smartest thing Brooks did was not linger with any plotline too long. Each plotline is long enough to deliver what is needed, but short enough that I never felt like I wanted to move on to other characters. This is exactly the problem with previous Shannara entries, and this book proves that Brooks' earlier books were reflective of his talent and abilities.
I really enjoyed this book, and as I edge closer to the series, I realize that I don't want it to end.
Overall, I'll give this book an 8.5 out of 10! Really solid work Brooks!
But he starts delievering here!
This book really lives up to the idea of the "Skaar Invasion". What began in book 1 was not a fluke, and you can see their forces growing in this book. Some may consider this book bogged down in "middle-book syndrome", but I both loved the characters and the plot enough that it kept me going.
The last book felt like an homage to Wishsong of Shannara and First King of Shannara. This book, The Skaar Invasion, feels like an homage to The Heritage of Shannara and in a little way "The High Druid of Shannara" Trilogy. I think that each plotline was interesting and exciting.
The smartest thing Brooks did was not linger with any plotline too long. Each plotline is long enough to deliver what is needed, but short enough that I never felt like I wanted to move on to other characters. This is exactly the problem with previous Shannara entries, and this book proves that Brooks' earlier books were reflective of his talent and abilities.
I really enjoyed this book, and as I edge closer to the series, I realize that I don't want it to end.
Overall, I'll give this book an 8.5 out of 10! Really solid work Brooks!
November 14, 2023
This was a well-told story. I just hated the ending. I hated the ending, not so much because I disliked what happened, but I was disappointed in the impotent way it all went down. The whole story was building up to a satisfying ending. The good guys were gaining power that the bad person was unaware of. It made you anticipate a good fight where the bad person getting comeuppance, but the fight was squashed so easily I was left to wonder whether the protagonist was ever really that good or worth rooting for. Granted, the next book in this series will reverse this ending by some magic, but that won't change how disappointed I was in this ending. It made me irritated I was manipulated into needing to read the next book....which I'll probably do...darn it.
April 2, 2020
Glad I'm not reading these as they're released. I'd forgotten how much Brooks likes cliffhangers (which I absolutely loathe) and this one ends on a doozy.
More in-depth thoughts to come when I finish the quadrilogy.
More in-depth thoughts to come when I finish the quadrilogy.
November 22, 2023
This was a fast-paced and mostly enjoyable book but for some reason, Brooks attempted to see how dumb and inept he could make his characters, both returning and new act.
3.75/5
3.75/5
November 24, 2018
I liked this one even more than the first of this series. The internal struggle of the lead characters laid bare. Cliffhanger ending.
July 19, 2018
Another great book by Terry Brooks
Can’t wait until the next book comes out. I guess I’ll read all his books again for the fourth time. :)
Can’t wait until the next book comes out. I guess I’ll read all his books again for the fourth time. :)
June 26, 2018
I really wanted to like this book. I read the dark legacy of shannara before reading this one to catch up on what has happened to this world. there's still one trilogy or two I need to read. but that might have been a mistake.
for a world that has thousands of years of history, this world has not grown up, or expanded. the four lands had always been the four lands. I find the coming of a new set of people/race coming to the four lands (with hints that they are facing extinction or being chased by danger) interesting but apart from them, almost all of the elements of this series had been explored in past series and now rehashed in this new one:
A pair of sibling where one is trying to save the other (while the other one is trying to kill the other)
an unwilling, albeit cool and skilled, druid needing to save the world
the black elfstones and paranor removed from this world then brought back again
Having a new "Shea Ohmsford" might be a way to tug at nostalgia, but I'd say that he and Rocan Arneas do pique my interest. Together with the Skaar, they might be enough to get me reading till the end of this series.
for a world that has thousands of years of history, this world has not grown up, or expanded. the four lands had always been the four lands. I find the coming of a new set of people/race coming to the four lands (with hints that they are facing extinction or being chased by danger) interesting but apart from them, almost all of the elements of this series had been explored in past series and now rehashed in this new one:
A pair of sibling where one is trying to save the other (while the other one is trying to kill the other)
an unwilling, albeit cool and skilled, druid needing to save the world
the black elfstones and paranor removed from this world then brought back again
Having a new "Shea Ohmsford" might be a way to tug at nostalgia, but I'd say that he and Rocan Arneas do pique my interest. Together with the Skaar, they might be enough to get me reading till the end of this series.
December 8, 2018
Where do I begin? I really enjoyed this book. I've read everything in the Shannara series, this is book 36 I think. It ranks in my favourite five!
The book is written in a kaleidoscopic view, which I love. At the end some of the characters merge for an ending that was expected, but it was still very surprising. Throughout the book hinted that the ending might not be definitive, so I wasn't too emotional when it actually happened.
When I begin a book by Mr. Brooks I always need to get used to the descriptive storytelling. He describes everything the characters do and say, instead of letting them say it themselves. But as I go on, I get used to it and it works for the story.
I also love that the "bad guys" or enemies have some redeeming points and I found myself actually rooting for the Skaar people or even for Tavo.
I can't wait to read the next part! It will be released in June 2019. I am impatient already!
The book is written in a kaleidoscopic view, which I love. At the end some of the characters merge for an ending that was expected, but it was still very surprising. Throughout the book hinted that the ending might not be definitive, so I wasn't too emotional when it actually happened.
When I begin a book by Mr. Brooks I always need to get used to the descriptive storytelling. He describes everything the characters do and say, instead of letting them say it themselves. But as I go on, I get used to it and it works for the story.
I also love that the "bad guys" or enemies have some redeeming points and I found myself actually rooting for the Skaar people or even for Tavo.
I can't wait to read the next part! It will be released in June 2019. I am impatient already!
February 1, 2019
I absolutely love the covers for all of the books in this series. It’s what initially drew my attention to The Fall of Shannara, even though I hadn’t read any of the previous books.
It wasn’t until I read The Skaar Invasion that I realized the character on the cover is Ajin, the Skaar Princess. This isn’t apparent in the first book, but it definitely is by the second.
In fact, Ajin is by far my favorite character in this whole series. More on that later.
The Skaar Invasion’s story picks up right where we left off in the last book. In fact, seconds later, which I always appreciate in sequels. I tend to feel like I’m missing out on the story if we skip a few weeks or months into the future.
A lot of the burning questions that I had at the end of The Black Elfstone were answered immediately within the opening pages of The Skaar Invasion, namely who is the white cloaked figure and what are these invaders about?
We get a rather bland summary of Ajin and her history straight from her mouth as she explains it to Dar Leah. Why she explains it is a bit of an enigma to me. The evil, nefarious bad guy always seems to wax eloquent and reveal all their plans and motivations to the unwitting hero.
As we come to find out, though, Ajin is actually not as bad as we were led to believe in the last book. To be quite honest, I have come to view Ajin as the hero, or maybe an anti-hero, but certainly not the villain in this story.
The Skaar Invasion continues to follow Tarsha and Tavo and there are a few confrontations in this book that make things interesting. Clizia Porse makes sure of that.
We also follow Drisker Arc, though his story is a bit lackluster and he disappears from the pages of the book for a majority of it. He’s certainly there, but we don’t see him as often as I would have liked since he’s trapped in the disappeared Paranor.
We meet a new character, Brecon, he’s an elf prince and friend to Dar Leah. Together, they set out to find Tarsha, who was last off searching for her brother. There’s an interesting dynamic between these two and I really enjoyed all the scenes with them.
Surprisingly, we also got another new, yet familiar, POV character in The Skaar Invasion. Young street rat, Shea Ohmsford who bears the name of the greatest wishsong magic user of all time gets his own storyline.
I am going to come right out and say it, I didn’t like Shea’s POV. I didn’t like anything to do with his storyline working with a gambling rebel set on taking down the Federation. I read enough of it to know what’s going on, but really skipped a lot of it because I just found it uninteresting.
By far my favorite POV character was Ajin. I soaked up her storyline and wished I could have a whole book just about Ajin and her rise to power in the Skaar army.
The short of it is that she’s a disowned princess who fought and clawed her way to the top of the military and she’s trying to win back her father’s approval and find a suitable new place to live for her people.
We aren’t told much about why the homeland of the Skaar people is disappearing, but they are dying. They need a new place to live and that’s the realm of the Four Lands.
Ajin’s motivations are admirable, and in fact the backstory for her is more twisted and convoluted than I could have imagined and I look forward to seeing how it develops in the next book.
I should have been rooting for the defenders of the Four Lands, but instead I found myself happy when the Skaar people annihilated army after army.
Of course, I still feel a soft spot for Dar, Tarsha, and Drisker, but I am hoping that they come to align with the Skaar in fighting against what appears to be a corrupt Federation and that they will also help her gain the recognition that she desires from her father.
Brooks hinted at a possible relationship between Dar Leah and Ajin as well, of which I hope it will come to fruition.
I think The Skaar Invasion was much better than The Black Elfstone. That could be just because I was able to jump right in without having to learn a new world. It might also be because Brooks skipped all the boring worldbuilding details since we literally are just continuing right where The Black Elftstone left off.
At the same time, there were a few added storylines in this book that I just didn’t care for, namely Shea and any time we saw The Federation’s side of the conflict with the Skaar.
I wished I had gotten a bit more Drisker, but Brooks more than made up for it by giving me an Ajin POV.
I’m also not a bit fan of cliffhanger endings, of which there is one in the Skaar Invasion. The only saving grace is that I already have an ARC of the next book and can begin right away.
The Black Elfstone ended with a bit of a resolution. Still unanswered questions, but not a whole lot left in limbo, besides Drisker being stuck. Yet The Skaar Invasion will have you yelling “No!” when you read that last line because it is a literal drop off that desperately leaves you wanting to know more.
For those who enjoy cliffhangers, you’ll love it!
I give The Skaar Invasion a 4/5
Those who enjoyed The Black Elfstone, will also love The Skaar Invasion. It ramps the story up and I eagerly await the next installment, The Stiehl Assassin.
It wasn’t until I read The Skaar Invasion that I realized the character on the cover is Ajin, the Skaar Princess. This isn’t apparent in the first book, but it definitely is by the second.
In fact, Ajin is by far my favorite character in this whole series. More on that later.
The Skaar Invasion’s story picks up right where we left off in the last book. In fact, seconds later, which I always appreciate in sequels. I tend to feel like I’m missing out on the story if we skip a few weeks or months into the future.
A lot of the burning questions that I had at the end of The Black Elfstone were answered immediately within the opening pages of The Skaar Invasion, namely who is the white cloaked figure and what are these invaders about?
We get a rather bland summary of Ajin and her history straight from her mouth as she explains it to Dar Leah. Why she explains it is a bit of an enigma to me. The evil, nefarious bad guy always seems to wax eloquent and reveal all their plans and motivations to the unwitting hero.
As we come to find out, though, Ajin is actually not as bad as we were led to believe in the last book. To be quite honest, I have come to view Ajin as the hero, or maybe an anti-hero, but certainly not the villain in this story.
The Skaar Invasion continues to follow Tarsha and Tavo and there are a few confrontations in this book that make things interesting. Clizia Porse makes sure of that.
We also follow Drisker Arc, though his story is a bit lackluster and he disappears from the pages of the book for a majority of it. He’s certainly there, but we don’t see him as often as I would have liked since he’s trapped in the disappeared Paranor.
We meet a new character, Brecon, he’s an elf prince and friend to Dar Leah. Together, they set out to find Tarsha, who was last off searching for her brother. There’s an interesting dynamic between these two and I really enjoyed all the scenes with them.
Surprisingly, we also got another new, yet familiar, POV character in The Skaar Invasion. Young street rat, Shea Ohmsford who bears the name of the greatest wishsong magic user of all time gets his own storyline.
I am going to come right out and say it, I didn’t like Shea’s POV. I didn’t like anything to do with his storyline working with a gambling rebel set on taking down the Federation. I read enough of it to know what’s going on, but really skipped a lot of it because I just found it uninteresting.
By far my favorite POV character was Ajin. I soaked up her storyline and wished I could have a whole book just about Ajin and her rise to power in the Skaar army.
The short of it is that she’s a disowned princess who fought and clawed her way to the top of the military and she’s trying to win back her father’s approval and find a suitable new place to live for her people.
We aren’t told much about why the homeland of the Skaar people is disappearing, but they are dying. They need a new place to live and that’s the realm of the Four Lands.
Ajin’s motivations are admirable, and in fact the backstory for her is more twisted and convoluted than I could have imagined and I look forward to seeing how it develops in the next book.
I should have been rooting for the defenders of the Four Lands, but instead I found myself happy when the Skaar people annihilated army after army.
Of course, I still feel a soft spot for Dar, Tarsha, and Drisker, but I am hoping that they come to align with the Skaar in fighting against what appears to be a corrupt Federation and that they will also help her gain the recognition that she desires from her father.
Brooks hinted at a possible relationship between Dar Leah and Ajin as well, of which I hope it will come to fruition.
I think The Skaar Invasion was much better than The Black Elfstone. That could be just because I was able to jump right in without having to learn a new world. It might also be because Brooks skipped all the boring worldbuilding details since we literally are just continuing right where The Black Elftstone left off.
At the same time, there were a few added storylines in this book that I just didn’t care for, namely Shea and any time we saw The Federation’s side of the conflict with the Skaar.
I wished I had gotten a bit more Drisker, but Brooks more than made up for it by giving me an Ajin POV.
I’m also not a bit fan of cliffhanger endings, of which there is one in the Skaar Invasion. The only saving grace is that I already have an ARC of the next book and can begin right away.
The Black Elfstone ended with a bit of a resolution. Still unanswered questions, but not a whole lot left in limbo, besides Drisker being stuck. Yet The Skaar Invasion will have you yelling “No!” when you read that last line because it is a literal drop off that desperately leaves you wanting to know more.
For those who enjoy cliffhangers, you’ll love it!
I give The Skaar Invasion a 4/5
Those who enjoyed The Black Elfstone, will also love The Skaar Invasion. It ramps the story up and I eagerly await the next installment, The Stiehl Assassin.
June 20, 2018
With this book it seems like our main parties are figuring things out, where they need to be, who they need to be allied with and just how far they are going to go to accomplish what they need to. The ending is a bit harsh, makes a person wonder if the good guys are going to succeed.
September 24, 2018
Back to the old Terry Brooks
Reads like the Brooks books we know and love, and talk about a cliffhanger ending... Excited for the final book, yet bummed to have an end of the story in sight
Reads like the Brooks books we know and love, and talk about a cliffhanger ending... Excited for the final book, yet bummed to have an end of the story in sight
July 31, 2018
“The Skaar Invasion” the second book in the “Fall of Shannara”4-part conclusion begins with all the Druids and hundreds of Skaar soldiers dead from a monstrous poisoned mist as Paranor slips into limbo with former Ard Rhys Driskar Arc inside its walls. With the cold in Eurodia resulting in crop failure, water scarcity and the loss of life increasing, Ajin d”Amphere a royal and leader of the Skaar invasion force will fight to gain a foothold in the Four Lands for her people to win her father’s approval but the cost could be higher than expected. Yet with the help of her “Penetrator” Kol’Dre she’s more determined than ever to conquer the Federation army that stands in her way before her father comes to her rescue with his vast army.
Masterfully Terry Brooks weaves together multiple strands into an intriguing plot including Driskar Arc’s struggle to return with Paranor from oblivion; the traitor Clizia Porse’s efforts to stop him; Ajim d’Amphere’s scheming and deception in overcoming Federation forces; Darcon Leah and Brecon Elisdale’s race to find Tarisha Kaynin whose wishsong could bring Driskar back into the world alive; and Shea Ohmsford and Rocun Arneas’s strategy for the operation of the weather machine. Fast-paced, the action never slows in a plot that keeps you on the edge of your seat with its twists and turns.
Already an imaginative and creative world builder, Terry Brooks skillfully shapes the intensity and suspense in the Four Lands as the friction escalates without the magic of the Druids to rely on and Ajin makes overtures to the Elfen King. Realistic and compelling as events unfold, the story flows smoothly to an explosive ending that begs for the next chapter in this classic saga.
One of the author’s amazing talents is utilizing fascinating and complex characters to breathe life into his story like the capable, forgiving and trusting Druid Driskar Arc; the formidable, brave and loyal former High Druid’s Blade Darcon Leah; intense, ambitious and sharp-witted Kol’Dre; the smooth-talking and manipulative Ajin d’Amphere; as well as the clever and resourceful Shea Ormsford. Yet its the twisted mind of wary and unpredictable Tavo Kaynin and the cold, calculating plans of Clizia Porse that spark a dark and foreboding atmosphere.
As always, wandering in the world of Shannara even for a few hours is enjoyable and I eagerly look forward reading Terry Brooks next exciting novel.
Masterfully Terry Brooks weaves together multiple strands into an intriguing plot including Driskar Arc’s struggle to return with Paranor from oblivion; the traitor Clizia Porse’s efforts to stop him; Ajim d’Amphere’s scheming and deception in overcoming Federation forces; Darcon Leah and Brecon Elisdale’s race to find Tarisha Kaynin whose wishsong could bring Driskar back into the world alive; and Shea Ohmsford and Rocun Arneas’s strategy for the operation of the weather machine. Fast-paced, the action never slows in a plot that keeps you on the edge of your seat with its twists and turns.
Already an imaginative and creative world builder, Terry Brooks skillfully shapes the intensity and suspense in the Four Lands as the friction escalates without the magic of the Druids to rely on and Ajin makes overtures to the Elfen King. Realistic and compelling as events unfold, the story flows smoothly to an explosive ending that begs for the next chapter in this classic saga.
One of the author’s amazing talents is utilizing fascinating and complex characters to breathe life into his story like the capable, forgiving and trusting Druid Driskar Arc; the formidable, brave and loyal former High Druid’s Blade Darcon Leah; intense, ambitious and sharp-witted Kol’Dre; the smooth-talking and manipulative Ajin d’Amphere; as well as the clever and resourceful Shea Ormsford. Yet its the twisted mind of wary and unpredictable Tavo Kaynin and the cold, calculating plans of Clizia Porse that spark a dark and foreboding atmosphere.
As always, wandering in the world of Shannara even for a few hours is enjoyable and I eagerly look forward reading Terry Brooks next exciting novel.
November 15, 2022
3.5 stars
Brooks' Shannara finale series takes off on an exciting, suspenseful adventure that, while covering things that we've seen before, is full of surprises. All is going well until the character of the gambler Rocan Arneas enters the proceedings. Then it goes to hell.
Rocan is a descendant of Panamon Creel, the lovable rogue from the The Sword of Shannara. He is a former Rover/gypsie who discovered a knack for games of chance and has moved around the Four Lands making his fortune at gambling tables. He is using his winnings to finance a scientist who has created a machine for controlling the weather. He recruited the street urchin Shea Ohmsford in a scheme to rescue the scientist from the Southand prison Assidian Deep.
Seriously? Everything was going along fine until this subplot reared its ugly head. Some things in books just seem wrong and this is one of them. It made the last 75+ pages of this book a real slog. I was prepared to rate this book 5 stars until this happened. Maybe it's just me and Brooks will bring his series to a rousing conclusion in spite of this, but it feels lazy to me. Whatever synergy Brooks wants to create by getting descendants of Creel and the original Shea Ohmsford together is tied up in a machine to control the weather--which is named Annabelle. Sigh. Facepalm. Tears.
Most of this book is terrific, so it gets 3.5 stars (rounded up to 4) stars. I'm just really put out by this turn of events. But book 3 awaits.
Brooks' Shannara finale series takes off on an exciting, suspenseful adventure that, while covering things that we've seen before, is full of surprises. All is going well until the character of the gambler Rocan Arneas enters the proceedings. Then it goes to hell.
Rocan is a descendant of Panamon Creel, the lovable rogue from the The Sword of Shannara. He is a former Rover/gypsie who discovered a knack for games of chance and has moved around the Four Lands making his fortune at gambling tables. He is using his winnings to finance a scientist who has created a machine for controlling the weather. He recruited the street urchin Shea Ohmsford in a scheme to rescue the scientist from the Southand prison Assidian Deep.
Seriously? Everything was going along fine until this subplot reared its ugly head. Some things in books just seem wrong and this is one of them. It made the last 75+ pages of this book a real slog. I was prepared to rate this book 5 stars until this happened. Maybe it's just me and Brooks will bring his series to a rousing conclusion in spite of this, but it feels lazy to me. Whatever synergy Brooks wants to create by getting descendants of Creel and the original Shea Ohmsford together is tied up in a machine to control the weather--which is named Annabelle. Sigh. Facepalm. Tears.
Most of this book is terrific, so it gets 3.5 stars (rounded up to 4) stars. I'm just really put out by this turn of events. But book 3 awaits.
November 16, 2024
I keep saying this, but I cannot get enough of Shannara stories! I know the series is coming to a close, but I’m not ready. Terry Brooks still writes a fantastic plot and creates a world I can see inside my head. The very last line of the book made me audibly shout, “Nooooooo!”
June 29, 2018
Good installment, seems to be getting back to the roots of the Shannara beginnings.
August 2, 2018
Множко са и четирите звезди, но сърце не ми дава да дам по-малко.
http://citadelata.com/the-skaar-invas...
http://citadelata.com/the-skaar-invas...
April 29, 2019
Solid Brooks. I teethed on Shannara and it's nice visiting old friends again.
January 8, 2021
I have been reading Terry Brooks' books for almost four decades. This set comes really close to bringing back the magic of the original trilogy. Looking forward to the last two volumes.
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