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 Where to start? The characters are so bland and basically the same boring characters from previous novels but with different names. The plot is the same tired formula he has used since the beginning with no suprises, no new twists, nothing. You know what's going to happen from the beginning. This is a small novel about a small group of characters fighting a small group of bad guys that aren't that tough. In his early novels, the stories were epic, with giant battles, unbeatable odds and very suspenseful. He left all that out this time. And why not suprise us once. Why can't some of the main characters die? Why are all the main characters so wholesome? Is there never a bad seed? Why don't they ever fail? Why do the characters always have the same problem with magic, not wanting to use it, getting addicted for a little while before breaking free of it? Why are the Ohmsfords always in their early 20s and they always have there friend Leah who is about the same age who carries the Sword of Leah? Does danger never strike a Ohmsford at any other time of his life? Why does everything return to the status quo?. Why do the characters spend most of the time thinking about doing something or thinking about what they did instead of actually doing anything? Why are the Shanara books declining in quality from series to series?
Brooks definitely has a solid handle on fantasy and on the Shannara theme in particular as he's been visiting the Four Lands in various installments over the last 20 years. New readers will find all of the usual aspects of a fantasy epic in place. The Shannara books have a fairly rich history and Brooks has definitely helped fashion a solid world with a great deal of continuity. This history can be a little off putting to those not familiar with the goings on of previous trilogies but not to the point where they are unable to enjoy the most recent stories. Morgawr is the third book in a trilogy though and readers who haven't picked up the first two installments, Ilse Witch and Antrax, might find references in Morgawr to be slightly confusing. Individuals from the Pacific Northwest and Washington State in particular might get a kick out of Brooks penchant for naming chars and items for places in that state. Sadly, the book also has more than its share of negatives. The book itself is in many ways a rehash of his other books rolled into one. The defining of the chief villain, the Morgawr, is superficial to say the least. A small attempt is made to link him to two minor villains in the Elfstones of Shannara book but the attempt seemed whimsical and somewhat half-hearted. Characters seemed to be very close in behavior to previous heroes or villains. The final conflicts that make up the climax of the book feel rushed and short and the addition of so many different characters ultimately left to many plot threads to neatly tie up. In most cases the endings were quick, abrupt and unsatisfying to the reader. I wouldn't recommend avoiding this book as it is the final installment of the series but for those long time Brooks readers out there it's more of the same old, same old type thing. For new folks, I'd recommend reading the Elfstones of Shannara, the Knight of the Word series, and the first couple of Magic Kingdom for Sale: Sold volumes.
Somehow, highlanders Bek Ohmsford and Quentin Leah, rovers Redden Alt Mer and Rue Meridian, and the elf prince Ahren Elessedil--all in all, the youngest and least experienced of the crew--must not only survive a six month journey home, they must do so in the face of terrible magical opposition--all the while carrying the catatonic Witch with them. Author Terry Brooks pulls out the stops to deliver a compelling close to his VOYAGE OF THE JERLE SHANNARA trilogy. Characters that were young annoyances in the earlier novels now come to their own, discovering depths of strength and emotional wholeness within themselves now that they can no longer lean on the druid's power. Bek's determination to save his sister no matter how unlikely this seems gives him a heroic cast. In contrast, Alt Mer's reaction to the Graak humanizes a man who seemed the fearless heroic barbarian until that moment. The Witch's self-torture adds a realistic poignancy for readers who have seen exactly how amoral she could be. MORGAWR can best be read in conjunction with the VOYAGE series as it relies heavily on character growth from levels set in the earlier novels. Fantasy fans will find this series well worth the reading. |
While I was a bit disappointed with the first book in the series, I thought I would stick around for the second book. I am glad I did. I thought that the second book created a nice blend of character development and action that carried over nicely to the third installment. Overall, I thought that Morgawr was the best in the series. The mixture of adventure, character development/ self-realization and romance was perfect for the ending to a series I enjoyed immensely. Thank you Terry for another great escape into the Shannara world!
The latest in Terry Brook's Voyage of the Jerle Shannara series, Morgawr picks up where Antrax left off. A serviceable installment, it follows the ongoing adventures of Bek, Panax, Quentin Leah, and numerous others as they continue their quest under the enigmatic guidance of the Druid; Walker Boh. The villainous Morgawr steps to the forefront as the main foe as the trilogy comes to a close.
Well this is another great book of the Shannara series. It's the best from the "Voyage of Jerle Shannara". It's one of the best Shanara books, infact. It has a lot of action, tremendous battle and really good character development.
