The High Druid's Blade - Terry Brooks

The High Druid's Blade

By Terry Brooks

  • Release Date: 2014-07-08
  • Genre: Epic Fantasy
Score: 4.5
4.5
From 250 Ratings

Description

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER

Legend has it that Paxon Leah is descended from the royals and warriors who once ruled the Highlands and waged war with magical weapons. But those kings, queens, and heroes are long gone, and there is nothing enchanted about the antique sword that hangs above Paxon’s fireplace. Running his family’s modest shipping business, Paxon leads a quiet life—until extraordinary circumstances overturn his simple world . . . and rewrite his destiny.
 
When his brash young sister is abducted by a menacing stranger, Paxon races to her rescue with the only weapon he can find. And in a harrowing duel, he is stunned to discover powerful magic unleashed within him—and within his ancestors’ ancient blade. But his formidable new ability is dangerous in untrained hands, and Paxon must master it quickly because his nearly fatal clash with the dark sorcerer Arcannen won’t be his last. Leaving behind home and hearth, he journeys to the keep of the fabled Druid order to learn the secrets of magic and earn the right to become their sworn protector.
 
But treachery is afoot deep in the Druids’ ranks. And the blackest of sorcery is twisting a helpless innocent into a murderous agent of evil. To halt an insidious plot that threatens not only the Druid order but all the Four Lands, Paxon Leah must summon the profound magic in his blood and the legendary mettle of his elders in the battle fate has chosen him to fight.

BONUS: This edition includes an excerpt from Terry Brooks's The Darkling Child.

Praise for The High Druid’s Blade
 
“High adventure, lots of action, and appealing [characters] . . . a good place for new readers to jump into the author's world.”Library Journal

“Terry Brooks is a grandmaster of the fantasy genre, and his latest will both captivate and surprise readers. . . . It’s truly magical.”—Associated Press
 
“Brooks once again gifts readers with a breathless adventure in this new Shannara trilogy, the Defenders of Shannara. The action begins in the first chapter and doesn’t end until the last page.”RT Book Reviews
 
“A great place to introduce yourself to all of Brooks’s novels . . . [The High Druid’s Blade] is a great stand-alone book and will definitely throw you headfirst into the world of Shannara.”—Whedonopolis
 
The High Druid's Blade is an intriguing, action-filled novel that you are sure to love.”—Faire’s Fair Book Reviews
 
“Readers both new [and old] will enjoy reading The High Druid’s Blade.”—The Arched Doorway
 
“An enjoyable read . . . I will definitely be picking up the next book when it comes out.”—Jessie Reads Everything
 
Praise for Terry Brooks
 
The Sword of Shannara is an unforgettable and wildly entertaining epic, animated by Terry Brooks’s cosmically generative imagination and storytelling joy.”—Karen Russell, New York Times bestselling author of Swamplandia!
 
“If Tolkien is the grandfather of modern fantasy, Terry Brooks is its favorite uncle.”—Peter V. Brett, New York Times bestselling author of The Desert Spear
 
“I can’t even begin to count how many of Terry Brooks’s books I’ve read (and reread) over the years. From Shannara to Landover, his work was a huge part of my childhood.”—Patrick Rothfuss, New York Times bestselling author of The Name of the Wind

Reviews

  • Another home run.

    5
    By MVOregon
    This is a great read. I really enjoyed it. It was fast paced and intriguing the whole way through.
  • Great Story from My Favorite Author

    5
    By Rhyauk
    Another great ride through the multifaceted world of Shannara. My favorite author and series for an entertaining read.
  • Good not Great

    4
    By dgttx74
    I liked the continuity between this book and others in the timeline. However, the book was a simple read. Not much nuance and everything spelled out. The dialog is a little shallow between characters and the development of the characters isn't as in depth as I've come to expect from Terry Brooks' writing. It's almost like he's writing to a different audience. Considering everything, I couldn't go three stars and five is too much. Fans will like it. Not sure about the new or casual reader.
  • The High Druid's Blade

    3
    By Dhfirmage
    Definitely not up to his previous level. It seemed quickly put together, less substantial, and much less satisfying. Obviously an intro for more to come, but not up to his previous starts.
  • Druid

    5
    By CrinchyClint
    Another great story!
  • Fantastic!!!

    5
    By Scott Free Love
    Terry Brooks can't write new books fast enough for me... I can't wait for more...!!
  • The High Druid's Blade

    5
    By Ronald Ostrander
    I couldn't put this book down, upset it is over.
  • Disappointed

    3
    By Son Of Halvor
    This was so disappointing. A lack of depth. Boring. I love the Shannara series but this just lacked a good story. Wish I had not spent the money. I still gave it 3 stars just because I love Terry Brooks. The last few Shannara books have been lacking. In fact my daughter is reading my old Sword of Shannara and I was glancing through it and it's so exciting and full of great characters. This story however is not. There was a moment or two in the story that really sparked my interest, but it was rare. Also it's so short!! Not worth the 13$ I paid!
  • A fantastic change of pace....

    5
    By Langdon Shoop
    After more than 35 years telling tales in the world of Shannara, Terry Brooks switches things up, and long time readers will be delighted. A descendant of Rone Leah (from The Wishsong of Shannara) undertakes a quest to find his sister after she is abducted by an evil wizard. Where are the Ohmsford's, the family who have come to the aid of the Four Lands for generations? Not present. This is a different kind of story, and quite frankly a better one than most of what fantasy readers will find on the shelf today. With apologies to George R.R. Martin, no living author casts as large a shadow on Fantasy fiction than Terry Brooks. It's great to see after close to 40 years, he's still at the top of his game.