Customer Reviews
The Elves of Cintra 
2008-03-04
I am a huge Terry Brooks fan. This book does not disappoint. I have introduced my grandson to Terry Brooks, and he enjoyed this book as much as I did.
Genesis of Shanara #2 
2008-03-02
This book takes off where the last stopped. I enjoyed the book greatly and can not wait for the conclusion.
Excellent middle book 2008-02-06
For a middle book in a trilogy, this book is a great read. Middle books are notorious in their lack of cohesive beginning and end, which makes sense for the purpose they serve. If you start with this book, you may be lost. Like most, if not all, trilogies, you really need to read the books in order. With that said, this book is a quick and enjoyable read that nicely continues driving the story and characters forward. I do recommend reading the "Word and Void" series first.
For long-term Terry Brooks fans, this is more of the same enjoyment you have come to expect from this master storyteller. He maintains his knack for "humanizing" his characters. He lets us see their fear, despair, anger, and self-doubt. He shows us their mistakes. He lets us share their triumphs. Unlike more shallow fantasy fiction, his works are not all epic battles, fireworks, and special effects. Those looking for simple characters engaged in non-stop fire and brimstone battles should probably look to another author. Terry Brooks tells stories about real beings with real emotions making tough decisions that affect their lives in sometimes painful ways.
Brooks is a great author for introducing young readers to fantasy fiction. Unlike less secure authors, Brooks doesn't use obscure verbage for the sake of feeling more intelligent. He creates vivid imagery using minimal clutter, making his books both effortless and enjoyable.
Can't wait for the next book 2008-01-28
I liked the book, the action keeps moving in this 2nd book of the current series. It was hard to put down, but like all the Brooks books lately the book just ends. So you have to wait another year or so for the story to complete.
Great sequel, great character development, great story! 2008-01-11
Following in the footsteps of Armageddon's Children, the first book in the Genesis of Shannara series, The Elves of Cintra (2007) seamlessly advances the major plotlines from before, and brings about new truths, excitement and character history to an already great story.
In the previous book, the reader is left with a literal cliff-hanger. Logan Tom has found Hawk, the leader of the Ghosts and also the powerful gypsy morph, only to realize that Hawk is to be executed by being tossed from a compound's high-level wall. Just as Logan gained entry to the complex, Hawk and Tessa were being tossed to their death from high above.
Logan Tom realizes this too late, but during a frenzy at the compound he learns that when Hawk and Tessa are thrown from the compound wall, a great burst of light emerged, whisking them away into nothingness. After learning of this, Logan Tom seeks to regroup with the Ghosts sans-Hawk, and protect them/travel with them towards a safer destination. While doing so, he looks upon the harbor and realizes that hundres, if not thousands of ships approach to take on the compound. He knows that the ships carry once-men and demons, and it's time to leave.
Meanwhile, Panther flees the compound without Logan Tom, seeking to reunite with the rest of the Ghosts. He meets up with Sparrow at Pioneer Square only to be swarmed by croaks, feeders, and all sorts of other madness. It appears that the oncoming attack at the compound has all in the area in complete chaos. They finally escape to meet up with Logan Tom and the rest of the Ghosts.
Later, the Ghosts and Logan Tom encounter incredible battles, death, freaks, a long lost Knight of the Word, and a group of mutant kids. Throughout these ordeals, the reader is privy to further life history from each one of the Ghosts. Where they are from, what brought them to the Ghosts, and a deeper understanding of their character.
As this is occuring, the other Knight of the Word, Angel Perez, is travelling with the tatterdemalion, Ailie, towards the elven domain. As they are traveling, however, they are aware that the demon Delloreen is steadfast in pursuit, and determined to kill them.
Once at the elven domain, Angel and Ailie meet up with Kirisin and his older sister, Simralin, who is an elven tracker. The group minus-Kirisin meet with the king and the High Council to find out that not only will the council not assist them in saving the Elcryss, but there is also trouble amiss at the High Council; there is an intruder of sorts.
Despite the king's wishes, the group alongside the king's daughter Erisha, decide to learn about the elfstones and the Loden through the elven histories, and travel to the elven cemetary, Ashenell, to uncover more facts about the powers with which they are dealing. While there, the group faces terrible tragedy, incredible discoveries, and an understanding about the next step in their quest.
Last but not least, the reader finally learns of Hawk's powers, responsibilities, and goals as the encounter with the King of the Silver River fills in the details of the past as well as Hawk's destiny.
The Elves of Cintra (2007) ends with Angel Perez and her group discovering the Loden and its powers while dealing with the demons; Logan Tom and the Ghosts searching for Hawk; and Hawk, Tessa, and Cheney, along with Helen Rice and the rescued compound children with whom Hawk was joined making their way towards the Ghosts.
It's a highly enjoyable read that easily ties the loose-ends together, providing new excitement and new character development, and leading easily to the finale of the series. Like Armaggedon's Children, I plan on reading The Elves of Cintra at least one more time before the third volume of this series is released. I highly recommend this book.
Good novel. But far from great. 
2008-07-18
It's been 20 years since I last visited the world of Terry Brooks. As with almost all other Brooks readers, I was introduced to his writing in junior high school when I discovered the Sword of Shannara. That story enraptured me, and filled my 13 year old head with dreams of high adventure, swords and sorcery, and **you get the picture**. I read the Elfstones at age 15, and enjoyed it thoroughly. I read the Wishsong at 17 ... good but didn't quite meet my expectations. Magic Kingdom For Sale - Sold was a stake through my heart. Total garbage from someone I worshipped.
I didn't get back to Brooks' writing until I was 20 and in college ... I read the first two novels of the Heritage series, and was absolutely disappointed. Those were the last Terry Brooks novels I had read since then. A multitude of other Brooks novels came and went, and I ignored every one of them ... not wanting to feel that sense of disappointment again.
I came across Armegeddon's Children at the public library last week. It looked interesting ... a story set in a post apocalyptic society. I figured I'd give Brooks another chance. Unfortunately, I didn't realize it was a trilogy ... and the hardcover library cover made no mention of Shannara. I finished the first book rather quickly. It was a light read ... almost like a children's book.
I figured I'd read book 2 since I started. The Elves of Cintra isn't a bad book, but it doesn't do anything to recapture that Sword of Shannara magic. Maybe elves, demons, magic stones, powerful staffs, solar powered vehicles with rockets and laser guns, good and evil (and nothing in between) are better suited for the 13 year old junior high school kid.
I think too much time has passed by since I was that young boy engulfed in the pages of the Sword of Shannara. Supposedly, Terry Brooks' writing has improved since then. But to me, the magic is gone. Age, life, and time have whittled away my imagination.
Brooks always delivers! 2008-07-05
I have been a Brooks fan since the age of 11. I have just went back through the entire series including all shannara books and the Night of the Word series. I love how he has tied the Shannara and Word&Void together. I have about eighty pages left in Elves of Cintra...then I am going to be craving for his upcoming Gypsy Morph. If you are a Shannara fan and haven't read the Word & Void series yet, I SERIOUSLY suggest that you do, then move on to the Genesis of Shannara series. It is brilliant how he has tied the two worlds together. This book delivers and leaves you hanging. I love it!
Wonderful as always 2008-06-19
I have always loved Terry Brooks. The Shannara series is one of my all-time favorites. I really enjoyed the Word and the Void series and to see how he has masterfully spun that series into a prequel to Shannara is fantastic. This book is up there with everything else he has done.
Enjoyable for All Ages. 2008-05-31
First the positives:
1)It's definitely a worthy follow up to Armageddon's Children, and frankly it moved even faster.
2)The story was never boring, and was actually incredibly engaging.
3) Upon finishing, I have to say I'm looking forward to the last installment this August.
Downside:
1) Overall this feels like a book that adults enjoy but is really intended for young people. Some might say that's a plus, and I wouldn't argue that. I guess what I'm saying is the story and characters are very simplistic, some feeling like devices to propel the plot, with two pages of back story to explain who they are.None of this makes for a bad book by any means, and again I really enjoyed it. Having never read terry Brooks before these novels, it just comes across slightly sophomoric.
Stupid plot, annoying characters, and a pathetic writer 
2008-05-03
First of all I need to say that I was once a huge fan of Terry Brooks in fact I have read every book he has every published beginning with the Sword of Shannara( a blatant plagerism of Lord of the Rings) And I really loved his books. But that was back in seventh grade now I realize they are complete crap.
His novels have stupid simplistic plots and this one is no exception. But I think the main thing is Terry's complete lack of skill as a writer. His characters are boring and there really is no character development also this story is only a few hundred pages long and lacks any depth whatsoever. This is the last Terry Brooks book I will ever read I really dont care what happens with the rest of the story. The whole idea to tie the Word and Void to the Shannara books was an idiotic idea only terry brooks could have thought of.
