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Magic Kingdom of Landover #2
The Black Unicorn
A year had passed since Ben Holiday bought the Magic Kingdom from the wizard Meeks, who had set a series of pitfalls against him. Ben survived, by the aid of three loyal friends: Questor Thews, and ill-trained wizard; Abernathy, a talking dog, the Court Scribe; and the lovely Willow, who sometimes had to be a tree.
Bu ben had been troubled by dreams of disaster to his former partner, Miles Bennett. Yet when he returned to Earth, Ben found Miles doing splendidly.
Unknown to Ben, the dreams had been a trap by Meeks, who had returned to the Magic Kingdom as a tiny insect hidden in Ben's clothing. That first night back in Landover, Ben awoke to see Meeks gloating over him. claiming to have the medallion that could summon the mysterious knight-protector, the Paladin, and that he had cast a spell to witch appearances with Ben.
Ben found himself outcast, no longer recognized by any friend, though all his powerful enemies seemed to know him. Without the medallion, he couldn't seek the help of the Paladin against Meeks. There was only the prism cat—whatever that might be!
And where was Willow—and the mysterious black unicorn she'd set out to find?
Bu ben had been troubled by dreams of disaster to his former partner, Miles Bennett. Yet when he returned to Earth, Ben found Miles doing splendidly.
Unknown to Ben, the dreams had been a trap by Meeks, who had returned to the Magic Kingdom as a tiny insect hidden in Ben's clothing. That first night back in Landover, Ben awoke to see Meeks gloating over him. claiming to have the medallion that could summon the mysterious knight-protector, the Paladin, and that he had cast a spell to witch appearances with Ben.
Ben found himself outcast, no longer recognized by any friend, though all his powerful enemies seemed to know him. Without the medallion, he couldn't seek the help of the Paladin against Meeks. There was only the prism cat—whatever that might be!
And where was Willow—and the mysterious black unicorn she'd set out to find?
322 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 1, 1987
313 people are currently reading
4462 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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Displaying 1 - 30 of 431 reviews
June 11, 2018
This is the last book in this series I'll read. I really don't like the MC. Ben Holiday is whiny and too stupid to have the history his author claims. I coped with this during the first book because he has quite a lot to whine about, and while there's nothing novel about the concept of a hidden fantasy world that exists alongside our own, the setup was still mildly amusing.
In this book the whiner is back. He's been king of Landover for a year. In the time, he's learned nothing. He's done nothing. He's just as stupid and just as whiny.
The plot of this novel involves him losing his identity to an 'old magic' and with it the throne of Landover. *sigh* Better than half of the content of this book involves Ben Holiday, High King of Landover and former high power attorney from Chicago whining at and arguing with a cat.
Ben's problem: a bad, bad man convinces him that he isn't himself. The MC suffers from a run of the mill identity crisis rooted in nothing more magical than simple anxiety.
The cat outright tells him that every sapient being creates its own reality. Ben can't figure out what that means! He's supposedly managed to get through law school, and has founded a successful law firm, yet he doesn't know that if he goes into court believing himself a failure, he will lose.
And the tedium grinds on for another 250 or so pages after this gem is dropped.
I could also note that this is yet another fantasy series with one female character to serve as bucket and prop for the hero, but what's the point? I could grow old and die having done nothing more than inventory victims of the male ego.
That I didn't tear my hair out is the only thing 'good' I found about this book. And that wasn't about the book, at all. So, yay! Go me! I still possess enough patience to spare a bit for bad fiction.
In this book the whiner is back. He's been king of Landover for a year. In the time, he's learned nothing. He's done nothing. He's just as stupid and just as whiny.
The plot of this novel involves him losing his identity to an 'old magic' and with it the throne of Landover. *sigh* Better than half of the content of this book involves Ben Holiday, High King of Landover and former high power attorney from Chicago whining at and arguing with a cat.
Ben's problem: a bad, bad man convinces him that he isn't himself. The MC suffers from a run of the mill identity crisis rooted in nothing more magical than simple anxiety.
The cat outright tells him that every sapient being creates its own reality. Ben can't figure out what that means! He's supposedly managed to get through law school, and has founded a successful law firm, yet he doesn't know that if he goes into court believing himself a failure, he will lose.
And the tedium grinds on for another 250 or so pages after this gem is dropped.
I could also note that this is yet another fantasy series with one female character to serve as bucket and prop for the hero, but what's the point? I could grow old and die having done nothing more than inventory victims of the male ego.
That I didn't tear my hair out is the only thing 'good' I found about this book. And that wasn't about the book, at all. So, yay! Go me! I still possess enough patience to spare a bit for bad fiction.
July 8, 2021
Continuano le vicende di Ben Holiday nel magico regno di Landover.
Qui sogni turbano il sonno di Ben, del mago di corte Questor Thews e della bella silfide Willow, figlia del Signore del fiume e con la capacità di trasformarsi in albero.
L'acerrimo nemico Meeks è l'artefice dei sogni e persino Re Ben, colpito da un sortilegio, non sarà più ciò che sembra.
Willow cerca l'unicorno nero e Ben parte alla sua ricerca: sulla strada incontrerà il gatto prismatico, la strega del Crepuscolo e il drago Strabo.
Con gli inseparabili coboldi, fra unicorni bianchi imprigionati nei libri, il mitico fatato unicorno nero, scontri, battaglie e colpi di scena non mancano.
Non resta che affrontare il terzo volume della saga di Landover.
Qui sogni turbano il sonno di Ben, del mago di corte Questor Thews e della bella silfide Willow, figlia del Signore del fiume e con la capacità di trasformarsi in albero.
L'acerrimo nemico Meeks è l'artefice dei sogni e persino Re Ben, colpito da un sortilegio, non sarà più ciò che sembra.
Willow cerca l'unicorno nero e Ben parte alla sua ricerca: sulla strada incontrerà il gatto prismatico, la strega del Crepuscolo e il drago Strabo.
Con gli inseparabili coboldi, fra unicorni bianchi imprigionati nei libri, il mitico fatato unicorno nero, scontri, battaglie e colpi di scena non mancano.
Non resta che affrontare il terzo volume della saga di Landover.
April 2, 2012
The King of Landover has had his identity stolen by an evil wizard! Everyone believes the wizard to be Ben Holiday, the King, and Ben Holiday appears to them as a stranger. He is cast out of his castle by his friends. Thus begins a journey searching for the woman, Willow, who in turn is on a journey looking for the Black Unicorn. This is a tale of magic, demons, dragons, unicorns, self-discovery and understanding, and love.
This was a fun read. When my ex's dad bought me the first book in the series years ago, when I finished it, I had turned to my ex and said, "Wow, that was campy fantasy." I hold by that assessment. It felt like fun, campy, classic fantasy.
My favorite character by far, was a Prism Cat from the fairy realm, named Edgewood Dirk. Ben Holiday is not the brightest crayon in the box, by a long shot and Dirk spends all of his time cat-slapping sense into him. Of course, this sense takes almost 220 pages to sink in. I had the "twist" figured out pretty quickly; Ben, however, had to have it kicked into him by a talking cat. The themes were strong; though, from time to time, I felt like I was being bludgeoned by said themes with a brick, because Ben was just so oblivious.
Ben spends the entire book looking for this sylph, Willow. He obsesses over her at every fucking turn and yet, it takes him until the very very end to admit to himself that he What a fucking moron. Gods, it was a fun read but Ben really needed to have some sense knocked into him, hard.
This was a fun read. When my ex's dad bought me the first book in the series years ago, when I finished it, I had turned to my ex and said, "Wow, that was campy fantasy." I hold by that assessment. It felt like fun, campy, classic fantasy.
My favorite character by far, was a Prism Cat from the fairy realm, named Edgewood Dirk. Ben Holiday is not the brightest crayon in the box, by a long shot and Dirk spends all of his time cat-slapping sense into him. Of course, this sense takes almost 220 pages to sink in. I had the "twist" figured out pretty quickly; Ben, however, had to have it kicked into him by a talking cat. The themes were strong; though, from time to time, I felt like I was being bludgeoned by said themes with a brick, because Ben was just so oblivious.
Ben spends the entire book looking for this sylph, Willow. He obsesses over her at every fucking turn and yet, it takes him until the very very end to admit to himself that he What a fucking moron. Gods, it was a fun read but Ben really needed to have some sense knocked into him, hard.
February 27, 2010
RE: The Black Unicorn by Terry Brooks
I recently finished reading this book, the second in Brooks' Landover series. (I have also read the first in the series, Kingdom for Sale, Sold!) I enjoyed following up on the characters and story from the first book. It was fun to read, not as compelling as some other books I've read, but fun to read just the same. I took it a little at a time because at times the plot seemed to be a bit slow. So I'd close the book and go onto another book until I was ready to relax again with this gentle fantasy. It's a friendly read. I'd call it "gentle suspense". I enjoyed all the characters as well as Brooks' easy style, dotted with little sparks of humor.
I recently finished reading this book, the second in Brooks' Landover series. (I have also read the first in the series, Kingdom for Sale, Sold!) I enjoyed following up on the characters and story from the first book. It was fun to read, not as compelling as some other books I've read, but fun to read just the same. I took it a little at a time because at times the plot seemed to be a bit slow. So I'd close the book and go onto another book until I was ready to relax again with this gentle fantasy. It's a friendly read. I'd call it "gentle suspense". I enjoyed all the characters as well as Brooks' easy style, dotted with little sparks of humor.
August 14, 2008
The Landover series continues in the mode of the first book, right down to the cast. There's only one new character of real consequence; fortunately it's a wonderful one. The prism cat Dirk, with his aloof, obtuse, disdainful, maddening catness, upstages even Questor. The latter has a few good moments - accidentally/on purpose producing a shower of poseys and butterflies and allowing the elusive unicorn to escape. But when the inept wizard challenges the dragon to a contest of magical skill, the duel fails to deliver its potential hilarity.
As for the rest... the writing ranges from fair to terrible ('the tenacity of gastric-induced stress'??!) There's a big information dump at the end, the Important Stuff is handled cheesily, and the characters spend a lot of time pondering the obvious. One cannot help but feel a bit of Dirk's disdain for such bumbling bipeds. Not even the all-knowing cat remarks on just how shallow they all are. There's a great little moment when the reluctant canine Abernathy is faced with destroying the magical books that may return him to his human form, but past that crisis, you realize that was the only interesting thing about him. Brooks has wrung all of his characters dry. And though Landover's future stretches out before it, there's nothing left to tell.
As for the rest... the writing ranges from fair to terrible ('the tenacity of gastric-induced stress'??!) There's a big information dump at the end, the Important Stuff is handled cheesily, and the characters spend a lot of time pondering the obvious. One cannot help but feel a bit of Dirk's disdain for such bumbling bipeds. Not even the all-knowing cat remarks on just how shallow they all are. There's a great little moment when the reluctant canine Abernathy is faced with destroying the magical books that may return him to his human form, but past that crisis, you realize that was the only interesting thing about him. Brooks has wrung all of his characters dry. And though Landover's future stretches out before it, there's nothing left to tell.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 15, 2010
Because I live in a house with a science fiction / fantasy library in the living room, I challenged myself to read the following three books:
1. One Piers Anthony novel
2. One Star Trek novel
3. One Terry Brooks novel
I started with this book and about 25 pages into it, I wondered about this challenge. I wondered why I was wasting my time reading bad books when there are so many good books on my list I want to read.
And this is a bad book. Really poor writing. Predictable character types, cliche metaphors, you name it.
I got about a third of the way through and realized it just wasn't worth the "unicorn book" merit badge on my Nerd Scouts sash.
1. One Piers Anthony novel
2. One Star Trek novel
3. One Terry Brooks novel
I started with this book and about 25 pages into it, I wondered about this challenge. I wondered why I was wasting my time reading bad books when there are so many good books on my list I want to read.
And this is a bad book. Really poor writing. Predictable character types, cliche metaphors, you name it.
I got about a third of the way through and realized it just wasn't worth the "unicorn book" merit badge on my Nerd Scouts sash.
December 31, 2024
Great book. Yes there was the fact that Ben should have known what most readers knew or suspected about his transformation but apart from that the rest of the story is well written and a great fantasy. The epilogue was very touching especially at Christmas time.
Next hardcover: "Caliban's Hour" by Tad Williams (1994)
Next hardcover: "Caliban's Hour" by Tad Williams (1994)
January 29, 2024
The 2nd in the Landover series brings unicorns, prism cats, demons, witches and dragons together in a tale of magic and deception. Ben Holiday is lured back to Chicago by a dream telling him his good friend and ex business partner is in dire trouble. However Ben finds all is well. And upon returning to Landover discovers the trouble lies there. While gone, enemy forces run amok. His identity has been stolen. And his throne with it. Somehow he must convince his closest allies they have all been deceived and the Kingdom is in danger of being overthrown by dark forces intent on destroying everything.
July 16, 2015
Originally posted on SpecFic Junkie.
In this book, everyone holds the idiot ball! And so a lot of bad things happen! Somehow, that's not entirely enjoyable! There are mild spoilers in this review! Look! Exclamation marks!
So, the first thing Ben Holiday is told about being King of Landover is that the magical king amulet thing can't be taken away from him. He has to give it away voluntarily. So when bigBadEvilWizard says that he gave it away in a dream that Holiday can't remember, he just believes him. So now bigBadEvilWizard is doing bigBadEvilWizard things and Holiday is just out of luck because no one recognizes him.
In fact, no one recognizes that the person they think is Holiday, who they think is a pretty rad king, is doing bigBadEvilWizard things, rather than rad King things. And Holiday can't figure out that when everyone tells him the magic that's making him not recognized as King of Landover is his own doing, all it means is that he's not confident in himself.
So, why is that really fucking annoying?
Because the entire last book's premise was that he couldn't truly be King of Landover until he believed in himself. Oh, hey, look! Recycling!
The only person who's not holding the idiot ball the entire fucking time is Abernathy, the court scribe and resident dog. Well, and maybe Willow, but we don't see her much until the end, where everyone figures everything out at once. (Okay, to give the plot some credit his biffles figure out the whole "not!King" thing a bit before everyone figures out the sort of central plot McGuffin.)
Abernathy, see, had the right mind to think that three people who feel compelled to do things they've dreamed might be being manipulated and shouldn't immediately run off to do shit they dreamed. Ha! So clever, that dog!Scribe.
Blah, blah, blah unicorns and magic. Seriously, though. Who makes a unicorn a fucking McGuffin? Unicorns totes deserve better.
Readers deserve better. Do yourself a favor: skip this one. I might have found it good when I was a teenager, but I know I can and will read better books. Well, unless I start a bad one. Also, there's a better book called Black Unicorn anyway.
In this book, everyone holds the idiot ball! And so a lot of bad things happen! Somehow, that's not entirely enjoyable! There are mild spoilers in this review! Look! Exclamation marks!
So, the first thing Ben Holiday is told about being King of Landover is that the magical king amulet thing can't be taken away from him. He has to give it away voluntarily. So when bigBadEvilWizard says that he gave it away in a dream that Holiday can't remember, he just believes him. So now bigBadEvilWizard is doing bigBadEvilWizard things and Holiday is just out of luck because no one recognizes him.
In fact, no one recognizes that the person they think is Holiday, who they think is a pretty rad king, is doing bigBadEvilWizard things, rather than rad King things. And Holiday can't figure out that when everyone tells him the magic that's making him not recognized as King of Landover is his own doing, all it means is that he's not confident in himself.
So, why is that really fucking annoying?
Because the entire last book's premise was that he couldn't truly be King of Landover until he believed in himself. Oh, hey, look! Recycling!
The only person who's not holding the idiot ball the entire fucking time is Abernathy, the court scribe and resident dog. Well, and maybe Willow, but we don't see her much until the end, where everyone figures everything out at once. (Okay, to give the plot some credit his biffles figure out the whole "not!King" thing a bit before everyone figures out the sort of central plot McGuffin.)
Abernathy, see, had the right mind to think that three people who feel compelled to do things they've dreamed might be being manipulated and shouldn't immediately run off to do shit they dreamed. Ha! So clever, that dog!Scribe.
Blah, blah, blah unicorns and magic. Seriously, though. Who makes a unicorn a fucking McGuffin? Unicorns totes deserve better.
Readers deserve better. Do yourself a favor: skip this one. I might have found it good when I was a teenager, but I know I can and will read better books. Well, unless I start a bad one. Also, there's a better book called Black Unicorn anyway.
February 20, 2019
This was another great book. Terry Brooks absolutely hits it out of the park. He knows fantasy better than any other author.
While "Magic Kingdom of Sale-Sold" was a fun, lighthearted satire, this book, "The Black Unicorn" took a dark turn. It was still satirical and funny, but had some difficult concepts. The scene with Meeks' return honestly had me shaking because I was so frightened of him. I really empathized with the main character even more than I did in the first book. The prism-cat was absolutely hilarious even though I wanted to enter the book just so I could strangle it. Brooks personified cats and dogs and other magical creatures very well. The ending of this book actually has less of a hook for a sequel(even though Brooks wrote the third book in this trilogy immediately after).
Ben Holiday seems to continue to serve as a metaphor for people who read Fantasy. This time, however, he represents when readers of Fantasy are pulled into a story that they don't want or enjoy. Like Ben, we as readers have to realize that whether we enjoy a book or not is more up to us than the authors, and not the other way around. If we truly work at it, we will realize the value in every book and find some enjoyment out of it(Still trying to figure out how this applies to "The Awakening" but the message still holds true).
Overall, very fun book. To me, it's not as fun or good a story as the first one, but it's still fantastic. 8.8 out of 10(but it truly deserves to be bumped up to 5 stars out of 5 on goodreads).
[Next book is a classic. Silas Marner: By George Elliot. It's my favorite classic and I look forward to re-reading it.]
While "Magic Kingdom of Sale-Sold" was a fun, lighthearted satire, this book, "The Black Unicorn" took a dark turn. It was still satirical and funny, but had some difficult concepts. The scene with Meeks' return honestly had me shaking because I was so frightened of him. I really empathized with the main character even more than I did in the first book. The prism-cat was absolutely hilarious even though I wanted to enter the book just so I could strangle it. Brooks personified cats and dogs and other magical creatures very well. The ending of this book actually has less of a hook for a sequel(even though Brooks wrote the third book in this trilogy immediately after).
Ben Holiday seems to continue to serve as a metaphor for people who read Fantasy. This time, however, he represents when readers of Fantasy are pulled into a story that they don't want or enjoy. Like Ben, we as readers have to realize that whether we enjoy a book or not is more up to us than the authors, and not the other way around. If we truly work at it, we will realize the value in every book and find some enjoyment out of it(Still trying to figure out how this applies to "The Awakening" but the message still holds true).
Overall, very fun book. To me, it's not as fun or good a story as the first one, but it's still fantastic. 8.8 out of 10(but it truly deserves to be bumped up to 5 stars out of 5 on goodreads).
[Next book is a classic. Silas Marner: By George Elliot. It's my favorite classic and I look forward to re-reading it.]
November 26, 2010
Book Review: 2 Treasure Boxes
I found the story to be interesting and I really liked how each of them faced and dealt with their own challenges.The story shows growth within all characters, although I thought that Ben had to make the greatest self-discovery in order to overcome his challenge. I enjoyed reading how each of them dealt with the dilemmas they faced as they completed their journeys. We also get to know all the characters a little better. The story was well written and leads us to cheer on our protagonists to successfully complete each of their tasks.
This is a stand alone story which I always find satisfying, yet it is also clearly part of a larger story. I recommend you read the books from the beginning to get a better understanding of the world in which they live. The story also builds from one book to the other, yet each book can be read independently from any other. If you enjoy reading Terry Brooks, then you will enjoy this book, it is a good fantasy novel that is fun to read. I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series to see what new adventures our characters will become involved in.
For my full review go to: http://books-treasureortrash.com/?p=803
I found the story to be interesting and I really liked how each of them faced and dealt with their own challenges.The story shows growth within all characters, although I thought that Ben had to make the greatest self-discovery in order to overcome his challenge. I enjoyed reading how each of them dealt with the dilemmas they faced as they completed their journeys. We also get to know all the characters a little better. The story was well written and leads us to cheer on our protagonists to successfully complete each of their tasks.
This is a stand alone story which I always find satisfying, yet it is also clearly part of a larger story. I recommend you read the books from the beginning to get a better understanding of the world in which they live. The story also builds from one book to the other, yet each book can be read independently from any other. If you enjoy reading Terry Brooks, then you will enjoy this book, it is a good fantasy novel that is fun to read. I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series to see what new adventures our characters will become involved in.
For my full review go to: http://books-treasureortrash.com/?p=803
May 23, 2016
Originally read: Many years ago.... (around 1998)
Re-read May 2016
4 1/2 stars
*Review in progress*
I really do love this series. Easy and enjoyable. Lots of magic, a bit of action and comedy and lots of terrific story and fantastic creatures! We get a new character in this one. Dirk the Prism Cat. He is one of my new favorites in this series. A cat and Fae creature in every way!
Ben is a bit dense in this one and he really plays the poor victim card but at least he doesn't fully give up. This book focuses on several different members of the core group, which was different from the first book where all we see is Ben's perspective. Although Willow's timeline seems off from other members for the first 1/2 of the book which bothered me a bit. Meeks is a sneaky but cowardly man who drives me nuts! And what is up with the River Master in this book?! I have no idea what to think of his character anymore...
The cover I almost hate. First off, Willow's shade of green is too bright I think. Unnatural. A pale green is how I envisioned her but this image tries to ruin that. And the "unicorn" looks like a donkey! Why?! Just....No.
Re-read May 2016
4 1/2 stars
*Review in progress*
I really do love this series. Easy and enjoyable. Lots of magic, a bit of action and comedy and lots of terrific story and fantastic creatures! We get a new character in this one. Dirk the Prism Cat. He is one of my new favorites in this series. A cat and Fae creature in every way!
Ben is a bit dense in this one and he really plays the poor victim card but at least he doesn't fully give up. This book focuses on several different members of the core group, which was different from the first book where all we see is Ben's perspective. Although Willow's timeline seems off from other members for the first 1/2 of the book which bothered me a bit. Meeks is a sneaky but cowardly man who drives me nuts! And what is up with the River Master in this book?! I have no idea what to think of his character anymore...
The cover I almost hate. First off, Willow's shade of green is too bright I think. Unnatural. A pale green is how I envisioned her but this image tries to ruin that. And the "unicorn" looks like a donkey! Why?! Just....No.
July 14, 2011
When I finished Magic Kingdom for Sale-Sold I could not stand to end the story there. I had fallen in love with the world and the characters I had come to know. I started this book that same night. This book allowed me to keep the adventure going, but it was not as good as the first. In the first Landover book Ben is a very clever man. He impressed me with his bravery and his intelligence. In this book, though, he doesn't do any of the work until the very end of the book. Other characters show up here and there to help him along because he wasn't making any progress himself. They even gave him the answer. He was just not smart enough to see it. That frusrated me to no end. I could predict what he needed to do not long after he began his adventure. The Ben from the first book would not have been so blind. I was a BIG fan of some of the new characters you get to meet in this book. It was also a lot of fun to have the old characters back. I did like this book...a lot. I was just disappointed. The first book left my expectations high.
December 18, 2019
Un inganno...magico
Ben Holiday è finalmente re di Landover,ma le trame losche del perfido Meeks lo aspettano dietro l'angolo.
Di mezzo ci finirà anche un povero unicorno nero che compare stranamente nei sogni di Willow.
Un nuovo personaggio entra in scena: Dirk,il gatto prismatico che si comporta proprio da gatto,anche se per lui è quello il modo di aiutare il povero Ben,che non viene più riconosciuto da nessuno.
Si ritrovano anche la Strega del Crepuscolo e il drago Strabo,che con i loro battibecchi mi hanno fatto sorridere; mentre il mago pasticcione,questa volta,è un po' messo in secondo piano.
Anche questo secondo volume si è rivelato abbastanza piacevole.
Ben Holiday è finalmente re di Landover,ma le trame losche del perfido Meeks lo aspettano dietro l'angolo.
Di mezzo ci finirà anche un povero unicorno nero che compare stranamente nei sogni di Willow.
Un nuovo personaggio entra in scena: Dirk,il gatto prismatico che si comporta proprio da gatto,anche se per lui è quello il modo di aiutare il povero Ben,che non viene più riconosciuto da nessuno.
Si ritrovano anche la Strega del Crepuscolo e il drago Strabo,che con i loro battibecchi mi hanno fatto sorridere; mentre il mago pasticcione,questa volta,è un po' messo in secondo piano.
Anche questo secondo volume si è rivelato abbastanza piacevole.
February 22, 2010
I read these some years ago and while they are not "real memorable" plot wise (they are lighthearted and convoluted) they are memorable as "fun. I prefer them to most of Brooks other works...the ones of a more serious vein.
August 17, 2018
I have figured out why I am so-so on these books. I mean, it is good fantasy, but some part of me goes ‘eh’ and that is because the characters are not growning. They are pretty much unchanging and they are also not really nice. They don’t listen to each other at all.
June 6, 2018
Le problematiche del sognare a Landover
Seguito che non gode della stessa freschezza del capostipite, caratteristica forse insita al primo capitolo di una saga; e convince generalmente pochino tutta la gestione approssimativa della componente onirica e del binomio realtà-allucinazione che si cerca di portare avanti in maniera fiacca.
Anche sui personaggi - troppo macchiettistici e fossilizzati su se stessi - c'è davvero poco da dire.
Seguito che non gode della stessa freschezza del capostipite, caratteristica forse insita al primo capitolo di una saga; e convince generalmente pochino tutta la gestione approssimativa della componente onirica e del binomio realtà-allucinazione che si cerca di portare avanti in maniera fiacca.
Anche sui personaggi - troppo macchiettistici e fossilizzati su se stessi - c'è davvero poco da dire.
March 14, 2019
Leído e 2003.
7/10. Leed el comentario del primero de la saga. En este continúa la historia más o menos con el mismo grado de interés.
7/10. Leed el comentario del primero de la saga. En este continúa la historia más o menos con el mismo grado de interés.
August 3, 2025
Pros -
- Really enjoyed the psychological aspect of this book.
- Edgewood Dirk is nearly as good as Phillip and Sot.
- Key characters and relationships have developed.
Cons -
- The whole premise of the book was based on 3 people all getting dreams on the same night to set out on various quests, why they all followed them I’ll never know 😂
- Wasn’t introduced to any new places in Landover, just the ones already visited
3.5 overall, onto the next one 🧙🏻♂️
- Really enjoyed the psychological aspect of this book.
- Edgewood Dirk is nearly as good as Phillip and Sot.
- Key characters and relationships have developed.
Cons -
- The whole premise of the book was based on 3 people all getting dreams on the same night to set out on various quests, why they all followed them I’ll never know 😂
- Wasn’t introduced to any new places in Landover, just the ones already visited
3.5 overall, onto the next one 🧙🏻♂️
December 14, 2018
After waking from vivid dreams Ben, Quester, and Willow set off individually on quests prompted by their dreams. Though they don't know it their quests are connected, and not in a good way.
I love Edgewood Dirk(who doesn't love a fae cat ;p ) and am glad that now Willow is out doing her own things (even if for male driven reasons), and I have to say the general concept of a black unicorn is really cool, plus the unicorn related revelation at the end of the book is actually pretty damn cool.
I just sort of felt it was too obvious from too early on that
There are a few pacing issues, but generally it's another nice quick read with a good few laughs thrown in (though to be honest it's just humour in the writing now, I wouldn't say the book is trying to be a comedy overall like the first).
I love Edgewood Dirk(who doesn't love a fae cat ;p ) and am glad that now Willow is out doing her own things (even if for male driven reasons), and I have to say the general concept of a black unicorn is really cool, plus the unicorn related revelation at the end of the book is actually pretty damn cool.
I just sort of felt it was too obvious from too early on that
There are a few pacing issues, but generally it's another nice quick read with a good few laughs thrown in (though to be honest it's just humour in the writing now, I wouldn't say the book is trying to be a comedy overall like the first).
April 12, 2015
I really liked this book,and thought it was as good if not better than Magic Kingdom For Sale-Sold.
More story-lines going on at the same time and just a touch of intrigue.
More story-lines going on at the same time and just a touch of intrigue.
January 18, 2018
Recensione sul blog: http://thereadingpal.blogspot.it/2018...
Alla buon ora, ho ripreso in mano questa serie. Il primo volume, Il magico mondo di Landover, non mi ha lasciato, alla fine, un gran ricordo. Che di solito non è un buon segno. Ma mi era piaciuto, e avevo già tre dei quattro libri quindi ho continunato a leggere. Questo è il secondo libro.
Ben Holiday si è finalmente installato come re di Landover. Ci sono molti programmi da portare avanti e molti impegni, e di Meeks, finalmente, neanche l'ombra. Solo che una mattina, Ben, Questor e Willow raccontano di aver fatto dei sogni particolari, sogni che sono molto di più. Tutti e tre si mettono in viaggio, e scatenano qualcosa che non si aspettano per nulla.
I personaggi sono quelli del primo libro: Ben, Willow, Questor e Abernathy, con una serie di personaggi secondari, come i due coboldi, la Strega del Crepuscolo e il drago Strabo.
Ovviamente si concentra di più su Ben, ma un gran spazio ha Willow (ottima cosa, essendo l'unico personaggio femminile, ANCORA UNA VOLTA, a parte la strega). Abernathy è praticamente nel restroscena, che vabbe', poco importa sinceramente. E Questor pare migliorato ma poi mica tanto.
Questo secondo libro mi è piaciuto un po' di meno rispetto al primo.
Parlando delle cose positive: si vede una crescita piuttosto faticosa in Ben, che capisce più di se stesso e di Landover. A volte l'ho trovato un po' pesante, ma è una cosa che è riferita nel libro. Mi connetto con il Gatto Prismatico ad un livello spirituale. Solo che il gatto aveva più pazienza, ed è tutto dire. Sembrava che Ben avesse innalzato un muro per non capire quello che il gatto tentava in tutti i modi di fargli capire. Comunque la crescita c'è stata, anche se si è dovuto aspettare un po'. E il gatto è uno dei miei personaggi preferiti in questo libro.
Anche il filone di Willow è interessante. Purtroppo, come ho detto, per i personaggi femminili non c'è molta scelta (una cosa che anche nel primo libro doveva essere migliorata, ma che a questo punto non credo vedrò nei prossimi libri). Ma Willow rimane comunque un personaggio particolare. La sua dualità, che le viene dai genitori, la rende una creatura con molte sfaccettature che possono essere esplorate. È più intelligente di quello che sembra e mi pare che ci sia stato un salto di qualità (non molto alto, ma c'è stato) da Love Interest a Personaggio di una qualche importanza. La sua relazione con Ben è molto veloce e non sono riuscita ad apprezzarla. Da troppe cose per scontato. Ma come sifilide, come personaggio a sé, Willow non è male.
Per quanto riguarda lo sviluppo dei personaggi in lato un po' negativo, non mi pare che a Questor sia stato dato uno spazio adeguato. È sicuramente un personaggio comico e un po' stupido, ma c'è qualcosa in più in lui e la sua missone non ha avuto la stessa importanza data a quella di Ben e Willow, pur essendo allo stesso livello.
Anche la storia è interessante, se si finisce tutto il libro, ma la parte iniziale è piuttosto pesante e penso potesse essere fatta meglio. Il tema della realtà e dell'illusione è stato esplorato in modo non del tutto completo, penso. Mi sembra che abbia perso un'ottima possibilità.
Lo stile l'ho trovato un po' pesante e forse è anche colpa della traduzione, e questo non mi ha fatto apprezzare il libro come forse avrei dovuto. Ma nel complesso è stata una lettura "okay".
Alla buon ora, ho ripreso in mano questa serie. Il primo volume, Il magico mondo di Landover, non mi ha lasciato, alla fine, un gran ricordo. Che di solito non è un buon segno. Ma mi era piaciuto, e avevo già tre dei quattro libri quindi ho continunato a leggere. Questo è il secondo libro.
Ben Holiday si è finalmente installato come re di Landover. Ci sono molti programmi da portare avanti e molti impegni, e di Meeks, finalmente, neanche l'ombra. Solo che una mattina, Ben, Questor e Willow raccontano di aver fatto dei sogni particolari, sogni che sono molto di più. Tutti e tre si mettono in viaggio, e scatenano qualcosa che non si aspettano per nulla.
I personaggi sono quelli del primo libro: Ben, Willow, Questor e Abernathy, con una serie di personaggi secondari, come i due coboldi, la Strega del Crepuscolo e il drago Strabo.
Ovviamente si concentra di più su Ben, ma un gran spazio ha Willow (ottima cosa, essendo l'unico personaggio femminile, ANCORA UNA VOLTA, a parte la strega). Abernathy è praticamente nel restroscena, che vabbe', poco importa sinceramente. E Questor pare migliorato ma poi mica tanto.
Questo secondo libro mi è piaciuto un po' di meno rispetto al primo.
Parlando delle cose positive: si vede una crescita piuttosto faticosa in Ben, che capisce più di se stesso e di Landover. A volte l'ho trovato un po' pesante, ma è una cosa che è riferita nel libro. Mi connetto con il Gatto Prismatico ad un livello spirituale. Solo che il gatto aveva più pazienza, ed è tutto dire. Sembrava che Ben avesse innalzato un muro per non capire quello che il gatto tentava in tutti i modi di fargli capire. Comunque la crescita c'è stata, anche se si è dovuto aspettare un po'. E il gatto è uno dei miei personaggi preferiti in questo libro.
Anche il filone di Willow è interessante. Purtroppo, come ho detto, per i personaggi femminili non c'è molta scelta (una cosa che anche nel primo libro doveva essere migliorata, ma che a questo punto non credo vedrò nei prossimi libri). Ma Willow rimane comunque un personaggio particolare. La sua dualità, che le viene dai genitori, la rende una creatura con molte sfaccettature che possono essere esplorate. È più intelligente di quello che sembra e mi pare che ci sia stato un salto di qualità (non molto alto, ma c'è stato) da Love Interest a Personaggio di una qualche importanza. La sua relazione con Ben è molto veloce e non sono riuscita ad apprezzarla. Da troppe cose per scontato. Ma come sifilide, come personaggio a sé, Willow non è male.
Per quanto riguarda lo sviluppo dei personaggi in lato un po' negativo, non mi pare che a Questor sia stato dato uno spazio adeguato. È sicuramente un personaggio comico e un po' stupido, ma c'è qualcosa in più in lui e la sua missone non ha avuto la stessa importanza data a quella di Ben e Willow, pur essendo allo stesso livello.
Anche la storia è interessante, se si finisce tutto il libro, ma la parte iniziale è piuttosto pesante e penso potesse essere fatta meglio. Il tema della realtà e dell'illusione è stato esplorato in modo non del tutto completo, penso. Mi sembra che abbia perso un'ottima possibilità.
Lo stile l'ho trovato un po' pesante e forse è anche colpa della traduzione, e questo non mi ha fatto apprezzare il libro come forse avrei dovuto. Ma nel complesso è stata una lettura "okay".
February 20, 2025
Early in my read of this book, I found myself not liking it, but I didn't really understand why. Upon reflection, I think it's nearly everything about this series that I have a problem with.
Characters: The protagonist and his allies seem to be willfully clueless. When offered advice or hints or anything that would be inconvenient to the story, they ignore them or aggressively reject them. The various "people" of the kingdom never provide information, just hints and derision when those hints do not cause the characters to solve problems. And the villains are not any better, alternating between mustache-twirling evil, threats to the good guys rather than actions to remove their threat, and fighting among themselves when they might otherwise be too dangerous to the plot.
Setting: Landover is about the size of a medium-sized valley; when the characters need to visit anywhere, they can walk there in hours or days. In principle, at least when the King is present, it's supposed to be safe. Yet it's filled with mysterious and dark places, each with its own danger. Oh, and food is never a problem, because there are magical food trees everywhere. Oh, and the names here are from the Xanth school of naming -- created for a cheap laugh and then repeated forever.
Magic: The magical system seems to be, "whatever is most convenient for the author on this page". There is no structure, there is no system of learning about the magic, and there is no reason to believe that any previously established element of the system is going to obtain in the future.
Plot: All of the above result in a plot driven by authorial whim rather than internal logic. The plot reads like one written by an incompetent roleplaying gamemaster, who expects his players to intuit the one solution to each problem he sets. And when they are unable to do that, he throws in increasingly broad hints, finally just giving the players the answer. And then pouts about his dim players. Nothing in this book, good or bad for the protagonist, is earned. When it's time for something bad to happen, it will. And when the page count is filled, the solution is presented.
Overall, this has rather the feeling of a middle-grade series, with silly names and "magical" magic. But it's not really being marketed as such. And it's not even a good middle-grade series, because it lacks internal consistency and consequences that arise from the protagonist's conscious choices.
Neither this book nor the series is recommended.
Characters: The protagonist and his allies seem to be willfully clueless. When offered advice or hints or anything that would be inconvenient to the story, they ignore them or aggressively reject them. The various "people" of the kingdom never provide information, just hints and derision when those hints do not cause the characters to solve problems. And the villains are not any better, alternating between mustache-twirling evil, threats to the good guys rather than actions to remove their threat, and fighting among themselves when they might otherwise be too dangerous to the plot.
Setting: Landover is about the size of a medium-sized valley; when the characters need to visit anywhere, they can walk there in hours or days. In principle, at least when the King is present, it's supposed to be safe. Yet it's filled with mysterious and dark places, each with its own danger. Oh, and food is never a problem, because there are magical food trees everywhere. Oh, and the names here are from the Xanth school of naming -- created for a cheap laugh and then repeated forever.
Magic: The magical system seems to be, "whatever is most convenient for the author on this page". There is no structure, there is no system of learning about the magic, and there is no reason to believe that any previously established element of the system is going to obtain in the future.
Plot: All of the above result in a plot driven by authorial whim rather than internal logic. The plot reads like one written by an incompetent roleplaying gamemaster, who expects his players to intuit the one solution to each problem he sets. And when they are unable to do that, he throws in increasingly broad hints, finally just giving the players the answer. And then pouts about his dim players. Nothing in this book, good or bad for the protagonist, is earned. When it's time for something bad to happen, it will. And when the page count is filled, the solution is presented.
Overall, this has rather the feeling of a middle-grade series, with silly names and "magical" magic. But it's not really being marketed as such. And it's not even a good middle-grade series, because it lacks internal consistency and consequences that arise from the protagonist's conscious choices.
Neither this book nor the series is recommended.
April 24, 2023
Great story, and a better plot development than the first book. This book reminded me so much of Alice in Wonderland: the Prism Cat as the Cheshire Cat, the G'home Gnomes as Tweedledee and Tweedledums, and Willow as the Mad Hatter. I listened mostly to the audiobook, and I was so mesmerized by the acting and dialogues, particularly the humorous conversations of Fillup and Sot, which brought the story to life. I also liked how the perspectives switched between the different characters as we followed their journey throughout Landover. The quest for the Black Unicorn was both creative and original, and I enjoyed every part of the characters' quest in it as they brought different story arcs together into one as a whole. Brilliant!
September 18, 2022
With a cast that includes a lawyer from our world who becomes King, a wizard who constantly messes up his magic, a scribe who was accidently turned into a talking dog, and a farie that has to turn into a tree every 28 days, you think this would be a hilarious series! well, get ready to be surprised. There is so much wasted potential here. Granted, this installment is way better than the first, i still feel it could have been sooooooo much better! The two best charaters, the witch and the dragon, are in it for like a few pages, and then you don't hear dick from them.
uhhhggg!!! im already two deep in the series, so i might as well keep on trucking.
uhhhggg!!! im already two deep in the series, so i might as well keep on trucking.
May 12, 2024
Another magical read by Terry Brioks
Second book I the magical series Magic Kingdim for Sale, Sold!
This is an enchanting series that is a must-read for Terry Brooks fans and a great starter series for young fantasy enthusiasts. I am re-reading so I can read them to my 8yo grandson and likely his 6yo brother.
Enjoy the magical land of Landover, and it would be king, Ben Holiday. You'll want to return over and over again.
Second book I the magical series Magic Kingdim for Sale, Sold!
This is an enchanting series that is a must-read for Terry Brooks fans and a great starter series for young fantasy enthusiasts. I am re-reading so I can read them to my 8yo grandson and likely his 6yo brother.
Enjoy the magical land of Landover, and it would be king, Ben Holiday. You'll want to return over and over again.
August 24, 2020
Super quick read. These books have a pretty linear storyline but I think that’s the point. I liked how the expected became unexpected. And yes there’s a talking cat but hey, who doesn’t like that. This series so far is not grand by any means and there are not a lot of characters that are relatable but that’s ok, I don’t mind escaping to Landover.
January 4, 2023
I always enjoy this series for not being too serieus and too deep and that's exactly what i got in this book. Is everyone as smart as they can be? Nope, but it makes for a nice story and a nice further dive into Landover.
April 18, 2017
Overall I liked listening to the book. There is a part of me though that struggles with the Hero's density of mind at times, which probably stops me from giving it 5 stars, but beyond that the book was very enjoyable.
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