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The Fall of Shannara #3
The Stiehl Assassin
After The Black Elfstone and The Skaar Invasion comes the next chapter in the Fall of Shannara, a saga more than four decades in the making.
The Skaar have arrived in the Four Lands, determined to stop at nothing less than all-out conquest. They badly need a new home, but peaceful coexistence is not a concept they have ever understood. An advance force under the command of the lovely princess Ajin has already established a foothold, but now the full Skaar army is on the march--and woe betide any who stands in its way.
But perhaps the Skaar victory is not quite as much of a foregone conclusion as they all assume. The Druid Drisker Arc has freed both himself and Paranor from their involuntary exile. Drisker's student, Tarsha Kaynin, has been reunited with Dar, chief defender of what is left of the Druid order, and is learning to control her powerful Wishsong magic. If they can only survive Tarsha's brother and the Druid who betrayed Drisker Arc, they might stand a chance of defeating the Skaar. But that is a very big if...as Tarsha's brother now carries the Stiehl--one of the most powerful weapons in all the Four Lands, and is determined to take his revenge on everyone he feels has wronged him.
The Skaar have arrived in the Four Lands, determined to stop at nothing less than all-out conquest. They badly need a new home, but peaceful coexistence is not a concept they have ever understood. An advance force under the command of the lovely princess Ajin has already established a foothold, but now the full Skaar army is on the march--and woe betide any who stands in its way.
But perhaps the Skaar victory is not quite as much of a foregone conclusion as they all assume. The Druid Drisker Arc has freed both himself and Paranor from their involuntary exile. Drisker's student, Tarsha Kaynin, has been reunited with Dar, chief defender of what is left of the Druid order, and is learning to control her powerful Wishsong magic. If they can only survive Tarsha's brother and the Druid who betrayed Drisker Arc, they might stand a chance of defeating the Skaar. But that is a very big if...as Tarsha's brother now carries the Stiehl--one of the most powerful weapons in all the Four Lands, and is determined to take his revenge on everyone he feels has wronged him.
337 pages, Hardcover
First published May 28, 2019
597 people are currently reading
3389 people want to read
About the author
Terry Brooks
417 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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July 5, 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 STIEHL ASSASSIN.
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 STIEHL ASSASSIN, recently deposed and exiled High Druid Drisker Arc, aims to avenge himself against the treacherous witch-druid Clizia Porse who seeks, in her own turn, to establish herself as the Lord of Paranor and the Four Lands. She also plots to aid the invading Skaar force in their quest to overrun the length and breadth of the Four Lands and to kill Tarsha Kaynin, an apprentice druid who has inherited the Ohmsford family Wishsong magic. Her brother Tavo Kaynin seems to be recovering from the mental torture inflicted on him by Clizia Porse but his survival and mental capacity seems to be perennially hanging in the balance.
The theme, of course, 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. Aaargh … THE STIEHL ASSASSIN ends on a smoking cliff-hanger and now I must look to the conclusion of THE FALL OF SHANNARA in the closing(?) instalment , THE LAST DRUID.
Highly recommended.
Paul Weiss
I’ve said it before about Terry Brooks’ novels and I’m happy to repeat it for THE STIEHL ASSASSIN.
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 STIEHL ASSASSIN, recently deposed and exiled High Druid Drisker Arc, aims to avenge himself against the treacherous witch-druid Clizia Porse who seeks, in her own turn, to establish herself as the Lord of Paranor and the Four Lands. She also plots to aid the invading Skaar force in their quest to overrun the length and breadth of the Four Lands and to kill Tarsha Kaynin, an apprentice druid who has inherited the Ohmsford family Wishsong magic. Her brother Tavo Kaynin seems to be recovering from the mental torture inflicted on him by Clizia Porse but his survival and mental capacity seems to be perennially hanging in the balance.
The theme, of course, 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. Aaargh … THE STIEHL ASSASSIN ends on a smoking cliff-hanger and now I must look to the conclusion of THE FALL OF SHANNARA in the closing(?) instalment , THE LAST DRUID.
Highly recommended.
Paul Weiss
June 6, 2019
Perspectives on The Shannara series tend to fall into two distinct categories: those who are beyond excited that we are getting a four-part conclusion to this four-decades-old epic fantasy masterpiece and those who believe it is too drawn out and peeved they'll have to purchase all four books containing the conclusion and feel it should've been only one novel as most are; some are of the opinion that Brooks's lengthening of the series is for monetary gain (and to be fair, aren't most books about profit in some sense?) as this is a superb fantasy, but I must admit I fall on the hyped side of the fence and couldn't wait to dive into this. I don't feel we should be complaining about receiving more from Brooks's most enduring, bestselling world.
The Stiehl Assassin is a classic fantasy in every sense of the word. Of course, it's essential to have read the previous books in order to understand what is going on. Brooks's worldbuilding is truly second to none. The intricacy is astonishing and will blow you away; this is the pinnacle of fantasy creation. You are pulled into the story from the start and I abandoned everything in favour of finishing this as I had to know what happened but knowing that this is not the full conclusion I was concerned that the presumable cliffhanger would leave me a little irked, however, I needn't have worried as Mr Brooks knows how to set-up the next novel whilst making it an ultimately satisfying read in itself.
The impressive worldbuilding, the exquisite characterisation and the wholly absorbing plot with plenty of action and suspense flowing right through it all combine together for a stunning story. And how could I forget the magic? The plot features, dwarves and druids, sword and sorcery and the large cast is a joy to behold. I am yearning for the next and final instalment but will make do with rereading the whole series again as you tend to pick up more and more on repeated reads, and I could never get bored of this world. Set in a future time where magic has effectively replaced technology and armies are at the ready, moving like chess pieces on a board ready to accept their fate. If you're a fantasy fan do yourself favour and grab a copy with both hands and remember never to lend it to anyone as it's likely you'll never see the damn thing again! Many thanks to Orbit for an ARC.
The Stiehl Assassin is a classic fantasy in every sense of the word. Of course, it's essential to have read the previous books in order to understand what is going on. Brooks's worldbuilding is truly second to none. The intricacy is astonishing and will blow you away; this is the pinnacle of fantasy creation. You are pulled into the story from the start and I abandoned everything in favour of finishing this as I had to know what happened but knowing that this is not the full conclusion I was concerned that the presumable cliffhanger would leave me a little irked, however, I needn't have worried as Mr Brooks knows how to set-up the next novel whilst making it an ultimately satisfying read in itself.
The impressive worldbuilding, the exquisite characterisation and the wholly absorbing plot with plenty of action and suspense flowing right through it all combine together for a stunning story. And how could I forget the magic? The plot features, dwarves and druids, sword and sorcery and the large cast is a joy to behold. I am yearning for the next and final instalment but will make do with rereading the whole series again as you tend to pick up more and more on repeated reads, and I could never get bored of this world. Set in a future time where magic has effectively replaced technology and armies are at the ready, moving like chess pieces on a board ready to accept their fate. If you're a fantasy fan do yourself favour and grab a copy with both hands and remember never to lend it to anyone as it's likely you'll never see the damn thing again! Many thanks to Orbit for an ARC.
June 2, 2019
I'm not going to sugar coat it and I'm not even going to talk about how much I love Brooks' early work and how important he and his writing have been to me. He lost credibility with me when he promised his fans that MTV wouldn't make a mockery of the series we all loved and then stood by and watched them make it worse than Twilight.
So, here's the honest, no-longer-biased truth. I struggled to get through this book. There's nothing unique about these characters. They are each a retread of someone he's written before. The plot rolls along at a snail's pace. The reveals (not to be confused with the Reveals, a part of the book) were snore-worthy. Even the cliffhanger at the end of the book was boring. Oh, look--knowing full well he was walking into a trap, our latest Druid walks into it without a plan and gets caught up. We've never seen that happen before, right?
I've read every book in this series. I'll read the last one that closes it up but only because I've put enough time and effort into it that I might as well see it through, but I'm not excited about it. I've lost confidence in the writing. It feels phoned in and I wonder aloud if it's really Brooks still writing this series or if he's pulling off a James Patterson-like scam. If not, he's lost his fire. It doesn't really matter what the reason is--this book fails and my expectations for the next one aren't exactly high.
I'm thoroughly disappointed. If you're like me and you've come this far, you might as well read it but remember the Brooks' book on writing is titled, "Sometimes The Magic Works," and the corollary of that is that sometimes the magic doesn't work. It hasn't been working for Brooks in a while now. I just hope he can manage to summon up one last spell and end this thing on a good note, otherwise The Fall of Shannara will coincide with The Fall of Terry Brooks.
So, here's the honest, no-longer-biased truth. I struggled to get through this book. There's nothing unique about these characters. They are each a retread of someone he's written before. The plot rolls along at a snail's pace. The reveals (not to be confused with the Reveals, a part of the book) were snore-worthy. Even the cliffhanger at the end of the book was boring. Oh, look--knowing full well he was walking into a trap, our latest Druid walks into it without a plan and gets caught up. We've never seen that happen before, right?
I've read every book in this series. I'll read the last one that closes it up but only because I've put enough time and effort into it that I might as well see it through, but I'm not excited about it. I've lost confidence in the writing. It feels phoned in and I wonder aloud if it's really Brooks still writing this series or if he's pulling off a James Patterson-like scam. If not, he's lost his fire. It doesn't really matter what the reason is--this book fails and my expectations for the next one aren't exactly high.
I'm thoroughly disappointed. If you're like me and you've come this far, you might as well read it but remember the Brooks' book on writing is titled, "Sometimes The Magic Works," and the corollary of that is that sometimes the magic doesn't work. It hasn't been working for Brooks in a while now. I just hope he can manage to summon up one last spell and end this thing on a good note, otherwise The Fall of Shannara will coincide with The Fall of Terry Brooks.
January 6, 2021
Really loved this part of the final series in the Shannara world. Its a typical Terry Brooks story, with the usual set up and characters. Very exited to start on the last part. This one is a great installment, sometimes the second or third book in Terry Brooks series feel a bit like filler material, but that's not the case for this one.
I won't give any spoilers, but Darcon Leah was a very annoying character to me, his nickname annoyed me. I usually love the Leahs, so it was a little disappointing. Also I didn't like the Skaar princess Ajin, who represents a bad ass woman but she just felt dumb and cocky to me.
The dynamic between Tavo & Tarsha was very interesting, the writing really worked and I really felt the feelings they were having while working out their brother-sister relationship.
I won't give any spoilers, but Darcon Leah was a very annoying character to me, his nickname annoyed me. I usually love the Leahs, so it was a little disappointing. Also I didn't like the Skaar princess Ajin, who represents a bad ass woman but she just felt dumb and cocky to me.
The dynamic between Tavo & Tarsha was very interesting, the writing really worked and I really felt the feelings they were having while working out their brother-sister relationship.
January 29, 2019
Brooks’ “The Stiehl Assassin” is the third book of four in the Fall of Shannara quadrilogy and something like the 31st book in the Shannara world which includes various trilogies depicting different times and legends of Shannara. This fantasy world includes sword ⚔️ and sorcery, elves, dwarves, druids, and Flying airships ala Burroughs. There are a huge assortment of characters. Unlike Tolkien’s Middle-earth or Howard’s Hyborian age, Shannara is not set in some mythical prehistory but in a future where civilization as we know it has been extinguished and a new age has dawned with magic often replacing technology.
For those of us who made like Rip Van Winkle and slept through the last forty years and the first 31 flavors of Shannara, an introduction might have been in order, giving some background, history, and character development. It would have helped to quickly know who is on which side and what was at stake. For the rest of the reading universe, such would have been an unnecessary waste of pages.
Much of the story is setting up the chess pieces so the battle can begin, and a lot of the action is given in quick bites. Once it gets underway, there’s a lot of action and adventure, and is certainly a worthwhile read. But how it compares to other books 📚 in the series is for others to say.
For those of us who made like Rip Van Winkle and slept through the last forty years and the first 31 flavors of Shannara, an introduction might have been in order, giving some background, history, and character development. It would have helped to quickly know who is on which side and what was at stake. For the rest of the reading universe, such would have been an unnecessary waste of pages.
Much of the story is setting up the chess pieces so the battle can begin, and a lot of the action is given in quick bites. Once it gets underway, there’s a lot of action and adventure, and is certainly a worthwhile read. But how it compares to other books 📚 in the series is for others to say.
July 18, 2025
Best so far in the FALL series. It kept me reading non-stop and interested. Can't wait to read the final volume. FYI, when I reviewed the second book in the series, I mentioned these were the last Shannara books... Seems I was wrong, Galaphile was released not too long ago and Brooks will be collaborating with a ghost writer for more books.😁
Next hardcover: "The Fall Of Shannara: The Last Druid " by Terry Brooks (2020).
Next hardcover: "The Fall Of Shannara: The Last Druid " by Terry Brooks (2020).
June 8, 2019
The Stiehl Assassin is a solid continuation of the Shannara saga.
Positives:
Ajin D’amphere, the Skaar princess, is a good character.
We get a glimpse of Grianne Ohmsford - I so badly want her as a character to obtain happiness and peace. 😢🧙🏻♀️
Negatives:
Darcon Leah is quite possibly the worst character in this entire series. His nickname the “Blade” just annoys me to no end. He doesn’t hold a candle to the other Leah’s like Menion, Rone, and Morgan. 🙄
The series has gotten a bit formulaic. I supposed that history repeats itself, just like in real life.
———————————————————————————-
The final book in the series comes out next year. If you count the Word/Void books as part of the Shannara series (which I do) there will be 32 books in this series. I’m anxious to see how Brooks ties everything together and what ending he’ll come up with. I’m sure it will be epic, but it will be sad for me.
Positives:
Ajin D’amphere, the Skaar princess, is a good character.
We get a glimpse of Grianne Ohmsford - I so badly want her as a character to obtain happiness and peace. 😢🧙🏻♀️
Negatives:
Darcon Leah is quite possibly the worst character in this entire series. His nickname the “Blade” just annoys me to no end. He doesn’t hold a candle to the other Leah’s like Menion, Rone, and Morgan. 🙄
The series has gotten a bit formulaic. I supposed that history repeats itself, just like in real life.
———————————————————————————-
The final book in the series comes out next year. If you count the Word/Void books as part of the Shannara series (which I do) there will be 32 books in this series. I’m anxious to see how Brooks ties everything together and what ending he’ll come up with. I’m sure it will be epic, but it will be sad for me.
February 10, 2019
I finished reading the final draft of The Stiehl Assassin -- and WOW, what a story! This is Book 3 of The Fall of Shannara, the series a 4-book story, and this third book sets up the massive finale that will take place for the chronological-ending book of the whole Shannara saga. Armies are positioned, Druids face off, and nothing is what it seems. The Stiehl Assassin is the best book of the Fall books, easy to say since the first two books set the conflict up, and now it is time for the payoff! Great storytelling from the master of high fantasy.
November 28, 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…
Just like the first book in this 4-book series, the second book, “The Skaar Invasion”, ended with several cliffhangers, which is what we’ve come to expect from Brooks. The third book, “The Stiehl Assassin” starts in the moment the last one ended. 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 continues its rampage across the Four Lands and its pivotal showdown with the Federation’s forces.
As I mentioned in my previous reviews of the first two books in this series, 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, except for his passion for ending each book with several cliffhangers, just to make you sure you don’t lose interest and come back for more. With that in mind, how do you take one large novel and cut into 4 parts and then review each part by itself?
This is why I have proactively chosen to 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 this concluding series, “The Fall of Shannara” has brought us back Brooks at his creative and writing best. He has several characters and multiple plotlines that run parallel and then come together at different key moments, supplying several emotional payoffs throughout each book as the tension and momentum builds to a what I hope will be a splendid climactic end that rivals his “Elfstones” ending. I am pleased to say that is the case so far 3 books in during our final trip through Shannara.
It’s hard not to be captured by Brooks writing style, flow, and storylines. His pacing and storyline develop fluidly in an unbelievably smooth and flawless manner. Although it would be easy to think that the third book in the series would merely serve to set-up for the final and concluding book, but you would be wrong. Brooks has the uncanny ability to go beyond just setting up the ending; he finds ways to amplify the tension between characters and increase the ongoing fight between the Federation and Skaar, as well as the flight to claim the Druid future between Drisker and Clizia. And of course, we get the enjoyment of not only one, but two, prior classic Shannara characters making their necessary cameo appearances. There is no let downs or slow parts. The entire book moves forward with intense purpose and drive. Before you know it, all of the strategic pieces of the puzzle are on the board at the end of the book and ready for the final outcome to take place. And about those dang cliffhangers that he throws in at the end are a serious pain…
Brooks brings his story to life in 3D and before you know it, you find yourself carried away in escapist fantasy heaven. In my opinion, he has been one of the most consistent writers of fantasy, or any genre for that matter, bringing his 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 it a great joy being back in Terry’s wonderful world of Shannara one last time. Three books down and the final one is ready to read.
I am so incredibly excited and so incredibly sad for this journey to end…
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…
Just like the first book in this 4-book series, the second book, “The Skaar Invasion”, ended with several cliffhangers, which is what we’ve come to expect from Brooks. The third book, “The Stiehl Assassin” starts in the moment the last one ended. 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 continues its rampage across the Four Lands and its pivotal showdown with the Federation’s forces.
As I mentioned in my previous reviews of the first two books in this series, 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, except for his passion for ending each book with several cliffhangers, just to make you sure you don’t lose interest and come back for more. With that in mind, how do you take one large novel and cut into 4 parts and then review each part by itself?
This is why I have proactively chosen to 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 this concluding series, “The Fall of Shannara” has brought us back Brooks at his creative and writing best. He has several characters and multiple plotlines that run parallel and then come together at different key moments, supplying several emotional payoffs throughout each book as the tension and momentum builds to a what I hope will be a splendid climactic end that rivals his “Elfstones” ending. I am pleased to say that is the case so far 3 books in during our final trip through Shannara.
It’s hard not to be captured by Brooks writing style, flow, and storylines. His pacing and storyline develop fluidly in an unbelievably smooth and flawless manner. Although it would be easy to think that the third book in the series would merely serve to set-up for the final and concluding book, but you would be wrong. Brooks has the uncanny ability to go beyond just setting up the ending; he finds ways to amplify the tension between characters and increase the ongoing fight between the Federation and Skaar, as well as the flight to claim the Druid future between Drisker and Clizia. And of course, we get the enjoyment of not only one, but two, prior classic Shannara characters making their necessary cameo appearances. There is no let downs or slow parts. The entire book moves forward with intense purpose and drive. Before you know it, all of the strategic pieces of the puzzle are on the board at the end of the book and ready for the final outcome to take place. And about those dang cliffhangers that he throws in at the end are a serious pain…
Brooks brings his story to life in 3D and before you know it, you find yourself carried away in escapist fantasy heaven. In my opinion, he has been one of the most consistent writers of fantasy, or any genre for that matter, bringing his 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 it a great joy being back in Terry’s wonderful world of Shannara one last time. Three books down and the final one is ready to read.
I am so incredibly excited and so incredibly sad for this journey to end…
February 3, 2019
From the very beginning, I have been vocal about my love for these covers. But the further I get into the series, the more I’m realizing just how terrible of a job the covers (and the titles) actually convey the story.
Each cover features Ajin, the Skaar Princess, yet the title of this book is The Stiehl Assassin, which, if you’ve read The Skaar Invasion, you know the assassin is actually Clizia Porse, the old druid.
So the title and the cover are in a bit of a disagreement. Additionally, the titles of the books are poor choices to convey the topic of the story. In Book 1, The Black Elfstone, I noted that the word Black Elfstone isn’t even used until the 90% mark of the story.
In The Stiehl Assassin, it’s a bit of a spoiler to say (but I will anyway) that there are surprisingly few assassinations. In fact, there is only one, and it’s not even really all that important. The book has more to do with the conflict between the Skaar and the Federation rather than any assassinations.
If the assassination had been crucial, I might forgo this analysis, but I was disappointed at how misleading both the title and the cover are for this book.
Despite what I’ve said above, I feel that the Stiehl Assassin was actually the best book in the series thus far. I finished the whole book in just under two days, which is a huge testament to how addictive I found it.
If you follow my updates on Goodreads, you’ll already know that this could be attributed to one of two things. Either A) the book is just that good or B) it’s because this is my third book in the series in just over a week and I’m fully committed to the story.
As much as I’d like to say it’s the first reason, I really believe it to be the second. If I were picking up this story on it’s own after a year of down time, I think that I might not have found it as engaging.
I still found Shea’s POV to be a bit of a drag, even after my beloved heroes joined up with him. The only reason I even cared about that story thread was that Dar and Ajin got tangled in with it, but remove those two characters and I could care less about that whole plot thread.
That being said, I love Ajin so so much and can’t get enough of her. I might have skimmed over Shea’s POV, but I devoured Ajin’s word by juicy word.
There are only two new characters in the Stiehl Assassin and a third that, though she had appeared in previous books, has only just now been given a name and takes on greater importance.
The two new characters are dwarves, and though I don’t remember the name of the one, the other is called Lakodan. Kind of odd names for dwarves, and they don’t talk like I expect dwarves to talk, but that’s all right, they’re Terry’s dwarves. They don’t need to be Tolkeinesque.
The dwarves are interesting characters and are brought in because they possess a technology that is little more than a cropduster basically, but it can be used to help make the invisible Skaar visible. How, why, and all those details I’ll leave to you to read.
I’m a bit conflicted because the dwarves are basically hired by the Federation to fight the Skaar, and in some respects I feel like I should side with them because they’re dwarves, and because the Skaar are invaders. But I really hate the Federation, so I’m disappointed that those I would consider goodly folk are aligning with this organization I wish to see crippled.
But if the Federation is crippled then the Four Lands will fall, and oh man my emotions are just so conflicted throughout this whole book.
There is no one character who I fully support, except perhaps Drisker, Tarsha, and Dar.
Clizia is a hag and needs to be killed. Cor, Ajin’s father, is deceptive and sneaky and I can’t stand him. Kol’Dre, as cool as he is, wants to marry Ajin, but I want Ajin with Dar. Even Ajin, as noble as she seems, is part of the invading Skaar army. I feel like I should support Ketter Vause and the Federation by nature of their opposition, but I hate them. Shea is annoying. Rocan is an idiot. Tindall is crazy.
Who am I supposed to be rooting for here?!?
I just don’t know.
The third new character is Belladrin Rish. She’s the assistant of Ketter Vause (the Prime Minister of the Federation) and it seems like he’s grooming her to take over for him.
She seems like an innocuous character, but keep an eye on her because oh man is she important.
The story moves along quickly enough, again considering that I’ve read the last two books in the last few days as well. There’s plenty of twists and turns and things going on to hold your interest.
I feel we didn’t make a whole lot of progress in the story though. The army’s are still encamped along the river, and they only took a single shot at each other the whole book. I would have expected things to move along more.
At the beginning, it also seemed like we’d get to see more the plot between Ajin, her father, and her step-mother develop, and halfway through, it still seemed promising, but by the 80% mark you realize it’s not going to make it into this book and that was a little saddening.
Overall the events of the Stiehl Asssassin moved with speed, but the progression is going at a snail’s pace.
When we get to the end of the book I was left a bit confused and annoyed all at once. I’ll do my best to avoid spoilers, but let’s just say there’s a conflict, and the conflict made me think it was a total farce and then the story ended without any “gotcha!” moment.
Let me try to be more clear. One hero went head to head with one villain. Our hero knows that it’s a trap and thus plans for the trap, but then the trap is sprung and I kept waiting for our hero to avoid it, but it never happened.
It was a huge let down that this conflict in the Stiehl Assassin that I’d been anticipating for quite some time was over in a matter of seconds without any cleverness on the part of our hero. Perhaps I missed something. Perhaps I’m wrong. Maybe it was magician’s slight of hand and we’ll see it all change in the opening Chapter of Book 4.
But I say that all to tell you to enter the book with an open mind and whatever you expect to happen, realize it doesn’t go that way. This book will surprise you in more ways than one. Some of them satisfying, some of them not.
Either way, I’m sure it will be an enjoyable ride.
I give The Stiehl Assassin a 4.25/5
If you enjoyed the first two books, you’ll love The Stiehl Assassin as Brooks keeps ramping up the heat.
Each cover features Ajin, the Skaar Princess, yet the title of this book is The Stiehl Assassin, which, if you’ve read The Skaar Invasion, you know the assassin is actually Clizia Porse, the old druid.
So the title and the cover are in a bit of a disagreement. Additionally, the titles of the books are poor choices to convey the topic of the story. In Book 1, The Black Elfstone, I noted that the word Black Elfstone isn’t even used until the 90% mark of the story.
In The Stiehl Assassin, it’s a bit of a spoiler to say (but I will anyway) that there are surprisingly few assassinations. In fact, there is only one, and it’s not even really all that important. The book has more to do with the conflict between the Skaar and the Federation rather than any assassinations.
If the assassination had been crucial, I might forgo this analysis, but I was disappointed at how misleading both the title and the cover are for this book.
Despite what I’ve said above, I feel that the Stiehl Assassin was actually the best book in the series thus far. I finished the whole book in just under two days, which is a huge testament to how addictive I found it.
If you follow my updates on Goodreads, you’ll already know that this could be attributed to one of two things. Either A) the book is just that good or B) it’s because this is my third book in the series in just over a week and I’m fully committed to the story.
As much as I’d like to say it’s the first reason, I really believe it to be the second. If I were picking up this story on it’s own after a year of down time, I think that I might not have found it as engaging.
I still found Shea’s POV to be a bit of a drag, even after my beloved heroes joined up with him. The only reason I even cared about that story thread was that Dar and Ajin got tangled in with it, but remove those two characters and I could care less about that whole plot thread.
That being said, I love Ajin so so much and can’t get enough of her. I might have skimmed over Shea’s POV, but I devoured Ajin’s word by juicy word.
There are only two new characters in the Stiehl Assassin and a third that, though she had appeared in previous books, has only just now been given a name and takes on greater importance.
The two new characters are dwarves, and though I don’t remember the name of the one, the other is called Lakodan. Kind of odd names for dwarves, and they don’t talk like I expect dwarves to talk, but that’s all right, they’re Terry’s dwarves. They don’t need to be Tolkeinesque.
The dwarves are interesting characters and are brought in because they possess a technology that is little more than a cropduster basically, but it can be used to help make the invisible Skaar visible. How, why, and all those details I’ll leave to you to read.
I’m a bit conflicted because the dwarves are basically hired by the Federation to fight the Skaar, and in some respects I feel like I should side with them because they’re dwarves, and because the Skaar are invaders. But I really hate the Federation, so I’m disappointed that those I would consider goodly folk are aligning with this organization I wish to see crippled.
But if the Federation is crippled then the Four Lands will fall, and oh man my emotions are just so conflicted throughout this whole book.
There is no one character who I fully support, except perhaps Drisker, Tarsha, and Dar.
Clizia is a hag and needs to be killed. Cor, Ajin’s father, is deceptive and sneaky and I can’t stand him. Kol’Dre, as cool as he is, wants to marry Ajin, but I want Ajin with Dar. Even Ajin, as noble as she seems, is part of the invading Skaar army. I feel like I should support Ketter Vause and the Federation by nature of their opposition, but I hate them. Shea is annoying. Rocan is an idiot. Tindall is crazy.
Who am I supposed to be rooting for here?!?
I just don’t know.
The third new character is Belladrin Rish. She’s the assistant of Ketter Vause (the Prime Minister of the Federation) and it seems like he’s grooming her to take over for him.
She seems like an innocuous character, but keep an eye on her because oh man is she important.
The story moves along quickly enough, again considering that I’ve read the last two books in the last few days as well. There’s plenty of twists and turns and things going on to hold your interest.
I feel we didn’t make a whole lot of progress in the story though. The army’s are still encamped along the river, and they only took a single shot at each other the whole book. I would have expected things to move along more.
At the beginning, it also seemed like we’d get to see more the plot between Ajin, her father, and her step-mother develop, and halfway through, it still seemed promising, but by the 80% mark you realize it’s not going to make it into this book and that was a little saddening.
Overall the events of the Stiehl Asssassin moved with speed, but the progression is going at a snail’s pace.
When we get to the end of the book I was left a bit confused and annoyed all at once. I’ll do my best to avoid spoilers, but let’s just say there’s a conflict, and the conflict made me think it was a total farce and then the story ended without any “gotcha!” moment.
Let me try to be more clear. One hero went head to head with one villain. Our hero knows that it’s a trap and thus plans for the trap, but then the trap is sprung and I kept waiting for our hero to avoid it, but it never happened.
It was a huge let down that this conflict in the Stiehl Assassin that I’d been anticipating for quite some time was over in a matter of seconds without any cleverness on the part of our hero. Perhaps I missed something. Perhaps I’m wrong. Maybe it was magician’s slight of hand and we’ll see it all change in the opening Chapter of Book 4.
But I say that all to tell you to enter the book with an open mind and whatever you expect to happen, realize it doesn’t go that way. This book will surprise you in more ways than one. Some of them satisfying, some of them not.
Either way, I’m sure it will be an enjoyable ride.
I give The Stiehl Assassin a 4.25/5
If you enjoyed the first two books, you’ll love The Stiehl Assassin as Brooks keeps ramping up the heat.
November 25, 2023
I can sum up my feelings about this book with one word, Disappointing.
2.75/5
2.75/5
July 31, 2019
Actual rating is 3.5 stars.
This is part of a series and the others must be read before this one. This is also the penultimate novel for this universe that has been running for years. In this one, we have several story lines happening at once. The main one is the Skaar and the Federation are at the brink of war as the Skaar are determined to live in the land that is not rightfully theirs.
As with most novels that are before the finale this was a set up novel. This book is about the journey to get all the pieces into the position for the epic conclusion. Like I have previously mentioned there are plenty of story lines and characters to keep the reader interested. Whether it is the brink of war, attraction between "enemies", or trying to stop the magic user from achieving her nefarious goals I was captivated throughout. Why not a higher rating then? While I was intrigued by every plot story I do feel like nothing was really accomplished. We did have developments for lesser characters but all in all, this book did not really move forward any of our main characters besides one. And that cliffhanger with the one main character is my real gripe. In my opinion, we have done this before in this series. I am hoping that it is not what it seems to be and the next book explains this.
I am enjoying this series and I did like this book. I have read reviews where it is said that this series shouldn't be four books and it should have been a trilogy. I have to agree with them. I was never bored with this book but I was waiting for that "oh my" moment and it never really materialized.
This is part of a series and the others must be read before this one. This is also the penultimate novel for this universe that has been running for years. In this one, we have several story lines happening at once. The main one is the Skaar and the Federation are at the brink of war as the Skaar are determined to live in the land that is not rightfully theirs.
As with most novels that are before the finale this was a set up novel. This book is about the journey to get all the pieces into the position for the epic conclusion. Like I have previously mentioned there are plenty of story lines and characters to keep the reader interested. Whether it is the brink of war, attraction between "enemies", or trying to stop the magic user from achieving her nefarious goals I was captivated throughout. Why not a higher rating then? While I was intrigued by every plot story I do feel like nothing was really accomplished. We did have developments for lesser characters but all in all, this book did not really move forward any of our main characters besides one. And that cliffhanger with the one main character is my real gripe. In my opinion, we have done this before in this series. I am hoping that it is not what it seems to be and the next book explains this.
I am enjoying this series and I did like this book. I have read reviews where it is said that this series shouldn't be four books and it should have been a trilogy. I have to agree with them. I was never bored with this book but I was waiting for that "oh my" moment and it never really materialized.
May 30, 2019
I probably should stop reading these books because I don't enjoy them as much as the first few in the Shanara series, but they were the first fantasy books I read and the copies I have are so worn and I keep hoping to get back to what those ones were.
The one thing that I do like is how the family names are still there, how they are still woven together, even if they don't realize it and helping each other out. Even some of the journeys that people are going on have been done before, so they seem familiar. I loved it when Allanon showed up and like always seemed to both give advice and admonish the seeker.
The one thing that I do like is how the family names are still there, how they are still woven together, even if they don't realize it and helping each other out. Even some of the journeys that people are going on have been done before, so they seem familiar. I loved it when Allanon showed up and like always seemed to both give advice and admonish the seeker.
October 4, 2023
An excellent penultimate novel not only to the Fall of Shannara Tetralogy, but also to the Shannara series as a whole.
Terry Brooks is setting the pieces up in this book, and you can tell something awesome is happening. I liked that he pulled references, characters, and ideas from a number of different books! Each book in the "Fall" series I've compared to something else in the Shannara series, and this one pulls from so many that I find it hard to narrow down. I will say there are thematic ties to the Jerele Shannara trilogy, but there are connections to many many of the other books that I don't want to spoil. Suffice it to say, Brooks is really doing well paying off fan expectations.
This book is paced very well, and Brooks has fantastic action here. There were several battle and action scenes that had me hooked. This book doesn't have the grandness that I expected it to have, but to be honest that's never been Brooks' strongsuit. He's much better at smaller, main characters verses a single villain type scene.
I particularly enjoyed Drisker's scenes here, as well as Darcon Leah and Ajin. The political stuff with the Skaar was just fascinating, and I was shocked by all the twists and turns present. That's probably the strongest point of this book and the last book.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book. I think its on the same level as the last one, really solid tier for Brooks. If he sticks the landing, this will be top tier Shannara storytelling for me, up there with the Voyage of Jerele Shannara trilogy and the OG Shannara Trilogy. But for now, this one gets a slightly higher rating than the last one with a 9 out of 10! Excellent work Brooks!
I am a little bit sad knowing I only have 1 remaining book in the series, but I am also really happy to be so close to checking the entire Shannara series off of my TBR.
Terry Brooks is setting the pieces up in this book, and you can tell something awesome is happening. I liked that he pulled references, characters, and ideas from a number of different books! Each book in the "Fall" series I've compared to something else in the Shannara series, and this one pulls from so many that I find it hard to narrow down. I will say there are thematic ties to the Jerele Shannara trilogy, but there are connections to many many of the other books that I don't want to spoil. Suffice it to say, Brooks is really doing well paying off fan expectations.
This book is paced very well, and Brooks has fantastic action here. There were several battle and action scenes that had me hooked. This book doesn't have the grandness that I expected it to have, but to be honest that's never been Brooks' strongsuit. He's much better at smaller, main characters verses a single villain type scene.
I particularly enjoyed Drisker's scenes here, as well as Darcon Leah and Ajin. The political stuff with the Skaar was just fascinating, and I was shocked by all the twists and turns present. That's probably the strongest point of this book and the last book.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book. I think its on the same level as the last one, really solid tier for Brooks. If he sticks the landing, this will be top tier Shannara storytelling for me, up there with the Voyage of Jerele Shannara trilogy and the OG Shannara Trilogy. But for now, this one gets a slightly higher rating than the last one with a 9 out of 10! Excellent work Brooks!
I am a little bit sad knowing I only have 1 remaining book in the series, but I am also really happy to be so close to checking the entire Shannara series off of my TBR.
January 16, 2019
An excellent addition to the final tale in Brook's epic fantasy.
March 29, 2023
This book proves how gullible I am when I read Terry Brooks. The last book ended with a cliffhanger. The gifted young female in training is stabbed by her troubled brother....
.... ya, know, the girl who is training extensively with illusion magic who was so good before she had any training that the former head of the druid order almost lost a competition to her....
Yes, you guessed it. She is fine. She tricked him. And me. I suspend all disbelief in this world.
Anyways. This book has more Skaar politics. The princess gets sentenced to go home. She is plotting for several possibilities. She might be getting set up to be eliminated or maybe she's a pawn for a plot against her step mother. There's an Skaar with lesser standing who is maneuvering to be her mate to gain power. The king might want peace if the humans give him the conquered land as a permanent grant.
The troubled brother gets imprisoned for his own and other's safety while he's trained but he's unable to see how people actually want to help him this time because of what he endured before.
The (former) surviving druids are still there, but they felt like a side issue in this book while other characters got into position before the end comes...
And the end is definitely coming. I think this is book # 30-something and the next book is the last entry in the Shannara universe. I'm not ready for it to end.
.... ya, know, the girl who is training extensively with illusion magic who was so good before she had any training that the former head of the druid order almost lost a competition to her....
Yes, you guessed it. She is fine. She tricked him. And me. I suspend all disbelief in this world.
Anyways. This book has more Skaar politics. The princess gets sentenced to go home. She is plotting for several possibilities. She might be getting set up to be eliminated or maybe she's a pawn for a plot against her step mother. There's an Skaar with lesser standing who is maneuvering to be her mate to gain power. The king might want peace if the humans give him the conquered land as a permanent grant.
The troubled brother gets imprisoned for his own and other's safety while he's trained but he's unable to see how people actually want to help him this time because of what he endured before.
The (former) surviving druids are still there, but they felt like a side issue in this book while other characters got into position before the end comes...
And the end is definitely coming. I think this is book # 30-something and the next book is the last entry in the Shannara universe. I'm not ready for it to end.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 29, 2019
This book was very good, just what I expect from this author. Likeable characters and a great plot. I love that there are several storylines. It's got something for everyone; romance, adventure, battle and much more. Can't wait for the next book!
August 18, 2019
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Догодина на поправка с последната книга.
http://citadelata.com/the-stiehl-assa...
Догодина на поправка с последната книга.
http://citadelata.com/the-stiehl-assa...
June 2, 2019
The three books in this series have all felt like just a set up for the last book #4 (coming when?)
Brooks write fairly formulaic with this series, but still some fun characters and some good/bad guys. Interesting to see where this ends (or does not?)
Brooks write fairly formulaic with this series, but still some fun characters and some good/bad guys. Interesting to see where this ends (or does not?)
April 6, 2023
Terry Brooks is a master of mixing magic, combat, mystique, and interesting characters. The Shannara Universe feels like home to me now since I have all every book he has written there. This book is much like the others in this series - you feel for the characters and wonder how they will get out of situations. Sometimes it is foreshadowed and you have an idea, and other times it is a complete surprise. Another great read.
June 15, 2019
Good, but disappointed that it wasn't the end of the story.
September 10, 2019
Note: Some plot spoilers like ahead!
When it comes to the giants of fantasy, Terry Brooks is right up there with the greats. His book The Sword of Shannara, as well as the sprawling series that it spawned, helped nudge fantasy into the realm of financially viable genre rather than an idle curiosity. Now, 40-odd years later, we are coming to the chronological end of the Shannara saga, and the Four Lands stand on the precipice of catastrophe. The Skaar have invaded and are engaged in a tense standoff with the powerful Federation. However, new Ard Rhys Drisker Arc has a plan to (hopefully) avert the all-out war that seems inevitable, but to see it to completion he must enlist the aid of the Kaynin siblings, the boy Shea Ohmsford, the warrior Dar Leah, and the Elven prince Brecon Elessedil. Even then, his efforts might yet be thwarted by the villainous Druid Clizia Porse, who wants to see the Druid Order remade under her own aegis.
The novel moves at an amazingly brisk pace, drawing you along for the ride and leaving you a little breathless at the end. For all of that, the characters (as Shannara characters always do) still have a little time to live and breathe, to bring us into their own inner lives. And, unlike some fantasy authors–who only give us the perspectives of the good guys–Brooks gives us both the heroes and the villains. And, let me tell you, he is most definitely not afraid of killing off some significant characters.
In The Stiehl Assassin we also get to see some parts of the world that have remained unexplored. With a few exceptions, most of the stories set in the Shannara universe have taken place in the Four Lands or Four-Lands-adjacent. As part of the company is sent on a specific mission to the land of the Skaar, we get to see some of the lands they encounter along the way. At this point, those revelations have been fascinating but not terribly illuminating, but I have no doubt that will change in the fourth installment (and let’s hope that we actually get to see the land of the Skaar itself!)
Now, as to the villain of the piece: not since Shadea a’Ru have we seen a villain as cunning and cruel as Clizia Porse, a woman willing to sacrifice a great deal on the altar of her own ambition. However, Brooks does a great job of showing us that, beneath the ruthlessness, there is just a glimmer that she is something more than just a villain. She seems to have an idea that, if she is given control of the Druids, that she will be able to make the world a better one than the one she found. Of course, the lengths to which she is willing to go to do that–including acts of truly horrific violence–give the lie to whatever more noble ambitions she might have.
I have to admit that the best part of the novel for me was the appearance of Grianne Ohmsford at the Hadeshorn. Canny readers will recall that she was banished to the Forbidding at the end of the Dark Heritage of Shannara trilogy. Now, it seems that she is angling to find a way back into the Four Lands from which was banished. This, I think, is an eminently good thing for, as many people pointed out at the time, having her banished to the Forbidding seemed an awfully anticlimactic way to resolve her evolution as a character. She’s always been one of Brooks’s most fascinating creations, and I very much look forward to seeing how this storyline wraps up. Considering that, at novel’s end, Drisker has been dispatched by Clizia into the Forbidding, it’s virtually guaranteed that we’ll get to see Grianne in the next book.
What really stood out to me as I read this book, however, was how Brooks has started to expand the range of issues that he is willing to tackle through his fiction. While all of his books have always had deep philosophical themes–particularly focused on the environment–in this new quartet of novels we’ve really seen him diving deep into the question of colonialism. Are the Skaar justified in their invasion, given that their own home has become increasingly uninhabitable as a result of climate change? If not, what should the residents do about it? There are, of course, no easy answers to these questions. As in the real world, so in our best fictions.
The genius of the novel lies in its ability to weave together this larger question with the larger issue of magic vs. science that has been a prime motivator for the plots of many of the previous entries in the Shannara series. Now, it might just be that it is only through a cooperation between these two seemingly opposing forces that the world as it has come to be understood can be saved. Whether it will be successful, or whether the people of the Four Lands and the Skaar will lead each other toward mutual oblivion is still very much up in the air. One thing is for certain, though: nothing about the world that we have come to know and love will ever be the same.
So, now we stand at the brink of the end of an era. While Brooks has said that he will continue writing Shannara books that are set in previous eras, “The Fall of Shannara” will mark the chronological end of the saga. I’m still not sure that I’m ready to say goodbye, but at the very least we can say that it’s been a great run, and we are all very lucky indeed to have had such a great story for so many years. Somehow, by some alchemy, Brooks has managed to do the impossible: to continue making a venerable series as new and interesting and vibrant as it has ever been. For that, Mr. Brooks deserves our gratitude.
When it comes to the giants of fantasy, Terry Brooks is right up there with the greats. His book The Sword of Shannara, as well as the sprawling series that it spawned, helped nudge fantasy into the realm of financially viable genre rather than an idle curiosity. Now, 40-odd years later, we are coming to the chronological end of the Shannara saga, and the Four Lands stand on the precipice of catastrophe. The Skaar have invaded and are engaged in a tense standoff with the powerful Federation. However, new Ard Rhys Drisker Arc has a plan to (hopefully) avert the all-out war that seems inevitable, but to see it to completion he must enlist the aid of the Kaynin siblings, the boy Shea Ohmsford, the warrior Dar Leah, and the Elven prince Brecon Elessedil. Even then, his efforts might yet be thwarted by the villainous Druid Clizia Porse, who wants to see the Druid Order remade under her own aegis.
The novel moves at an amazingly brisk pace, drawing you along for the ride and leaving you a little breathless at the end. For all of that, the characters (as Shannara characters always do) still have a little time to live and breathe, to bring us into their own inner lives. And, unlike some fantasy authors–who only give us the perspectives of the good guys–Brooks gives us both the heroes and the villains. And, let me tell you, he is most definitely not afraid of killing off some significant characters.
In The Stiehl Assassin we also get to see some parts of the world that have remained unexplored. With a few exceptions, most of the stories set in the Shannara universe have taken place in the Four Lands or Four-Lands-adjacent. As part of the company is sent on a specific mission to the land of the Skaar, we get to see some of the lands they encounter along the way. At this point, those revelations have been fascinating but not terribly illuminating, but I have no doubt that will change in the fourth installment (and let’s hope that we actually get to see the land of the Skaar itself!)
Now, as to the villain of the piece: not since Shadea a’Ru have we seen a villain as cunning and cruel as Clizia Porse, a woman willing to sacrifice a great deal on the altar of her own ambition. However, Brooks does a great job of showing us that, beneath the ruthlessness, there is just a glimmer that she is something more than just a villain. She seems to have an idea that, if she is given control of the Druids, that she will be able to make the world a better one than the one she found. Of course, the lengths to which she is willing to go to do that–including acts of truly horrific violence–give the lie to whatever more noble ambitions she might have.
I have to admit that the best part of the novel for me was the appearance of Grianne Ohmsford at the Hadeshorn. Canny readers will recall that she was banished to the Forbidding at the end of the Dark Heritage of Shannara trilogy. Now, it seems that she is angling to find a way back into the Four Lands from which was banished. This, I think, is an eminently good thing for, as many people pointed out at the time, having her banished to the Forbidding seemed an awfully anticlimactic way to resolve her evolution as a character. She’s always been one of Brooks’s most fascinating creations, and I very much look forward to seeing how this storyline wraps up. Considering that, at novel’s end, Drisker has been dispatched by Clizia into the Forbidding, it’s virtually guaranteed that we’ll get to see Grianne in the next book.
What really stood out to me as I read this book, however, was how Brooks has started to expand the range of issues that he is willing to tackle through his fiction. While all of his books have always had deep philosophical themes–particularly focused on the environment–in this new quartet of novels we’ve really seen him diving deep into the question of colonialism. Are the Skaar justified in their invasion, given that their own home has become increasingly uninhabitable as a result of climate change? If not, what should the residents do about it? There are, of course, no easy answers to these questions. As in the real world, so in our best fictions.
The genius of the novel lies in its ability to weave together this larger question with the larger issue of magic vs. science that has been a prime motivator for the plots of many of the previous entries in the Shannara series. Now, it might just be that it is only through a cooperation between these two seemingly opposing forces that the world as it has come to be understood can be saved. Whether it will be successful, or whether the people of the Four Lands and the Skaar will lead each other toward mutual oblivion is still very much up in the air. One thing is for certain, though: nothing about the world that we have come to know and love will ever be the same.
So, now we stand at the brink of the end of an era. While Brooks has said that he will continue writing Shannara books that are set in previous eras, “The Fall of Shannara” will mark the chronological end of the saga. I’m still not sure that I’m ready to say goodbye, but at the very least we can say that it’s been a great run, and we are all very lucky indeed to have had such a great story for so many years. Somehow, by some alchemy, Brooks has managed to do the impossible: to continue making a venerable series as new and interesting and vibrant as it has ever been. For that, Mr. Brooks deserves our gratitude.
May 28, 2019
In this next book of the series the Skaar have invaded, ready to vanquish all those standing in their way. Existing side by side with anyone that isn't a Skaar doesn't play a part in how they live their lives so all must go. The full army of the Skaar is ready to conquer those who might keep them from reaching their goal of taking over the land that will be their new home. Things aren't looking good for the Four Lands, they don't appear to have anyone prepared enough or able to stop the Skaar. Enter Tarsha Kaynin, who is learning to control her powers but isn't quiInte there yet, does she have the grit she will need to take on such a fight. With help from her brother Tavo and the Druid who betrayed Drisker Arc she hopes that they will be able to defeat the army and recover that which is being lost. Even with her brother possessing one of the most impressive weapons around she worries that Tavo's path might stray from helping their people. Follow along on an adventure of a lifetime in a world that will feel like it was created just for you. Brooks truly knows how to weave each word into an exciting read that will have you on the edge of your seat. I've been reading his books since I came across my first one in high school years ago and I can say he has yet to disappoint. You know an author is great when you can't wait to dive into one of their books and loose yourself for hours or even days. What a fabulous new book, it is definitely science fiction at its best,
November 15, 2022
3.5 stars
"Now you see that evil will always triumph because good is dumb."--Dark Helmet
This entry in the final Shannara series was the most frustrating for me. It was exciting and suspenseful (Brooks is very good at making you want to continue reading with his drawing out of reveals), but the sub plot of Rocan Aneas and Shea Ohmsford (reuniting as descendants of Panamon Creel and the original Shea Ohmsford), becomes more ridiculous and takes over the story as most of the characters join them on the journey to Skaarsland. Only the Druid Drisker Arc amd Tarsh and Tavo Kaynin remain in the four lands to prevent war between the invading Skaars and the other races.
Drisker Arc has got to be the most clueless and irrational Ard Rhys (High Druid) in the history of the Four Lands--bringing to mind one Dark Helmet's great lines from Spaceballs. He deserves to . Drisker's inability to foresee certain actions and consequences was maddening as I read this book. But I did enjoy it more than any of the Defenders of Shannara trilogy.
The best thing about this final Shannara series has been the characters of Darcon Leah (the current Blade of the High Druid) and Ajin d'Amphere (the Skaar princess.) Rocan Arneas is my least favorite character in any of the Shannara novels.
One more book to go in the Shannara series. I'm actually rooting for the Skaar to conquer and enslave the Four Lands.
"Now you see that evil will always triumph because good is dumb."--Dark Helmet
This entry in the final Shannara series was the most frustrating for me. It was exciting and suspenseful (Brooks is very good at making you want to continue reading with his drawing out of reveals), but the sub plot of Rocan Aneas and Shea Ohmsford (reuniting as descendants of Panamon Creel and the original Shea Ohmsford), becomes more ridiculous and takes over the story as most of the characters join them on the journey to Skaarsland. Only the Druid Drisker Arc amd Tarsh and Tavo Kaynin remain in the four lands to prevent war between the invading Skaars and the other races.
Drisker Arc has got to be the most clueless and irrational Ard Rhys (High Druid) in the history of the Four Lands--bringing to mind one Dark Helmet's great lines from Spaceballs. He deserves to . Drisker's inability to foresee certain actions and consequences was maddening as I read this book. But I did enjoy it more than any of the Defenders of Shannara trilogy.
The best thing about this final Shannara series has been the characters of Darcon Leah (the current Blade of the High Druid) and Ajin d'Amphere (the Skaar princess.) Rocan Arneas is my least favorite character in any of the Shannara novels.
One more book to go in the Shannara series. I'm actually rooting for the Skaar to conquer and enslave the Four Lands.
August 19, 2023
Not the absolute worst Shannara book, but not far from it either. Instead of focusing on the main plot and expanding upon the new enemy (who are they, how did they evolve, what is their magic, why do they even speak the same language as the people in the Four Lands and where the eff were they over the past 3000 years???), this volume is full of pointless side-quests and characters competing for who is the dumbest of them all. Terry Brooks cannot write relationships to save his life and in the last couple of books, every atempted love story is puerile, atrocious and more forced than rape.
Only one book left and now I just want it to be over. I have no hope that it will be anything but abject failure, but at least the series is done afterwards and I never have to put myself through such poor storytelling/characterisation ever again.
Also, psychotic, serial-killer Ohsmford brother... what a waste. He was terrifying and compelling and then... nothing. Terry Brooks managed to drop the ball even with the few characters that are not insipid rehashes of previous uninspiring characters.
Only one book left and now I just want it to be over. I have no hope that it will be anything but abject failure, but at least the series is done afterwards and I never have to put myself through such poor storytelling/characterisation ever again.
Also, psychotic, serial-killer Ohsmford brother... what a waste. He was terrifying and compelling and then... nothing. Terry Brooks managed to drop the ball even with the few characters that are not insipid rehashes of previous uninspiring characters.
June 19, 2021
The Stiehl Assassin is the 33rd and the penultimate book in the Shannara series. 3.5 stars rounded down to 3. 🌟🌟🌟
Another solid story. I like the characters, the villains are worthwhile, and the series plot is heading toward an epic conclusion.
The character, Ajin D’Amphere, princess of the invading Skaar nation, is pictured on the cover of this book and she’s probably my favorite character in this tetralogy.
FINALLY , after a year and a half of re-reading the entire 34 book series in plot chronological order, I’ll be reading the end in The Last Druid. It’s bittersweet but I am ready for the end.
Another solid story. I like the characters, the villains are worthwhile, and the series plot is heading toward an epic conclusion.
The character, Ajin D’Amphere, princess of the invading Skaar nation, is pictured on the cover of this book and she’s probably my favorite character in this tetralogy.
FINALLY , after a year and a half of re-reading the entire 34 book series in plot chronological order, I’ll be reading the end in The Last Druid. It’s bittersweet but I am ready for the end.
May 20, 2022
I received a free copy via Netgalley in exchange for a honest review.
This was such a disappointment after reading the original books in the series many years ago.
This really did feel like a re-hash of the original books with a lot of repetitive filling to bulk the story out.
I did struggle to finish this.
This was such a disappointment after reading the original books in the series many years ago.
This really did feel like a re-hash of the original books with a lot of repetitive filling to bulk the story out.
I did struggle to finish this.
June 19, 2019
Great read
The first ever fantasy book I read was The Sword of Shannara. The Stiehl Assassin like the first book has not disappointed, so many twists and turns, so many cliffhangers to be resolved in book four. Sad to think that the books are coming to an end.
The first ever fantasy book I read was The Sword of Shannara. The Stiehl Assassin like the first book has not disappointed, so many twists and turns, so many cliffhangers to be resolved in book four. Sad to think that the books are coming to an end.
August 27, 2019
Brooks is back again with another Shannara saga. While each Shannara trilogy loosely follows the same template, the writing and characters are compelling. This one does not disappoint. I thought this was the last book in the Fall of Shannara but I was wrong. One more to be released.
January 28, 2021
this one was really good with the plot thickening. The Skaar king arrival, Ajin joining the band, the witch druid manipulating everyone. the only drawback in the entire novel was Ard Rhys Drisker Arc. he seems to be fumbling despite being the most powerful druid. he fails to capture the witch druid and in the end gets himself captured by her. if previous book sent him to limbo, this one send him to an unforgiving place.. he literally hasn't used the black elfstones after getting out of Paranor.
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