The Darkling Child: The Defenders of Shannara

I found this story wholly unsatisfying. The characters lacked depth. The storyline lacked details to bring the story to life. Characters were introduced that added nothing of value to the story as a whole. Even worse the characters actions seemed unrealistic based on the little character development that took place. The Druids, meanwhile have become of minimal importance to Terry's latest offerings, again behaving in a manner counter to the Druid order most Shanarra fans have come to expect. This book, as well as the previous book in the series point to a sad decrease in the quality of Terry Brook's writing.

I have always enjoyed Brook's work, but this last set of stories lacks any compelling narrative line. He has not given his heroes anything worth dying for or even living for. The stories adhere to his own familiar narrative structure and that too ihas become predictable. I will continue to read his stories hoping that once again he finds within himself a story worth telling.

It was not my favorite book i have read that Mr. Brooks wrote and I have read everyone, but if the next book answers the questions that are now unanswered I might have a different opinion.

The heroes did not grab me. Usually The characters grab me. The villain and secondary characters were, I thought better developed. Having said all that I enjoyed reading the book and the ending when it comes could be great!

This was the worst book I've read from Terry Brooks. It appears as if he ran out of time or ideas, resulting in what felt like a cut and paste from previous novels to fill in history. I was really looking forward to the book and preordered it, sorry I did, not worth the time or the money.

Really disappointing. Terry has become lazy and complacent. Very little plot, no character development. Even when main characters die there is no emotional attachment. Nothing really happens in the whole book, you are basically in the same place at the end as you were in the beginning - very little is resolved!

Hopefully Mr. Brooks puts more effort in the next installment.

Poorly done book. Very similar to the last several Terry Briiks books. Almost seems as if someone else is actually writing to books now. No depth of character or plot.
The character are like stick figures with a need to state and restate the obvious.

I've read everything Terry Brooks has ever written and after this one I will never read another one! He has either lost his touch or just ran out of ideas but this is terrible. So disappointed in such a great author of fantasy.

In this second volume of The Defenders of Shannara trilogy, Terry Brooks again writes about the deeds of Paxon Leah, the High Druid’s Blade. Paxon is a descendent of the Ohmsford and Leah families who has been given the ancestral Sword of Leah to wield. His sister has inherited the use of the wishsong which manifests in various members of the Ohmsford family, usually at times of duress and change in the world. The protagonist in the book is the same as in the first book of the trilogy, the sorcerer Arcannen. This time, another descendent of the Ohmsford family, albeit unknown to him, also has use of the wishsong and is discovered by Arcannen who seeks to exploit the young man’s talent for Acannen’s revenge.

This is an interesting tale. I would not put it on the same level with The Heritage of Shannara series, but it is pretty close to it. The Defenders of Shannara is definitely without a doubt better than any Shannara entry since The Voyage of the Jerle Shannara. The action is not the usual swords and sorcery stuff, nor is it a blood soaked saga like A Saga of Fire and Ice. Death happens, but it is not gratuitous violence meant to satisfy young male readers. Brooks has always been trying to present a moral and ethical dimension to the series and the conflict in the books is often driven by those concepts.

Shannara is often what I refer to as a thinking fan’s fantasy. Revenge drives Arcannen in this tale, but the real story is in Paxon’s attempts to figure out what Arcannen is trying to do. It is a bit simplistic at first, but revenge itself often is. Paxon is a bit adrift throughout the book and that is one of the plot holes in it. He seems a bit too reluctant to take charge. He also seems to be divided by his interest in Leofur, the young woman he met in the previous book, and the Druidess Aveline. I am not too thrilled with the way Brooks handled that. I have a feeling that some of the interactions between Paxon and Aveline were cut from the book which is surprising because Brooks usually thrives in that area. In fact, there are times when I feel this book was edited to orient the story more towards the Game of Thrones audience.

Still, this is a good book. Brooks is clearly one of the best fantasy authors in the genre and his catalog of work shows it. Shannara has been a great series for years and has a dedicated fan base. His mind keeps springing out more tales. Even as he mulls retirement, Brooks is still discovering something else to write about for the series. His “final trilogy” idea seems to have come a bit too soon as he has a few ideas for some stand alone books which he is working on currently, so even if he does retire, I think we have several more years of Shannara books to come. If they are as good as this trilogy, I will be very pleased.

In " The Darkling Child" the second book in "The Defenders of Shannara" series tragedy has consumed the pirate fortress of Arbrox where the dark sorcerer Arcannen has taken refuge. Away when commander Dallen Usuriant and his Red Slash massacred everyone Arcannen has vowed revenge and will stop at nothing to bring justice to those that robbed him of his sanctuary and for the lives of the innocent who were killed along with the guilty.

Woven into an interesting tale that centers around Arcannen's vengeance and Paxon Leah's quest to return the bearer of the wishsong to Paranor is Reyn Frosch's struggle to resist the sinister plan of the sorcerer who covets his power. The plot quickly heats up with a confrontation in the small town of Portlow that has Paxon rushing to save Avelene who's enclosed in a black cylinder, and Reyn's escape from Druids he fears want him dead.

Like all of Terry Brooks novels the action never stops in the imaginary world of Shannara as events unfold that unleash a clash of wills that can only end in death, uncertainty and brokenness. Intensity and suspense continually build when egos collide as Dallen the duty-oriented, arrogant leader of the Red Slash, the Federation's first line of defense against any threat tries to destroy Arcannen only to face the terror of defeat. In an atmosphere of dark uncertainty, hatred and fear and themes that include revenge, deception, self-sacrifice and redemption this fantasy quest rushes quickly and smoothly towards a fiery climax.

In this story Paxon has come-of -age having learned to control the power of the Sword of Leah and taking his place as the protector of the Druid Order. Hardworking, resilient and fearless in his duty, he's lonely yearning to love and share his life. Attracted to Avelene the highly-intelligent, independent and bold Druid Emissary he questions his former feelings for Leofur Rai but her indifference keeps them apart. In contrast Reyn Frosch gifted with unpredictable magic develops in this tale from an insecure, easily manipulated and frightened young man who's determined not to kill. But oddly he comes under the influence of the beautiful, enigmatic Lariana who's self-absorbed, strong-willed, and clever. Although Reyn is shrewd enough to fathom Arcannen's use of Lariana in his sinister plan, strangely he becomes vulnerable to her wiles. While all these characters bring power and passion to the fantasy with the complexity of their personalities , it is the heartless coldness of Arcannen that adds a frightening chill.

Although I remain a fan of the Shannara Chronicles I wasn't enthralled by this quest as I have been with other novels. Yet I liked " The Darkling Child" and look forward to reading the third book in the "Defenders of Shannara".

This was the worst book I've read from Terry Brooks. It appears as if he ran out of time or ideas, resulting in what felt like a cut and paste from previous novels to fill in history. I was really looking forward to the book and preordered it, sorry I did, not worth the time or the money.

Really disappointing. Terry has become lazy and complacent. Very little plot, no character development. Even when main characters die there is no emotional attachment. Nothing really happens in the whole book, you are basically in the same place at the end as you were in the beginning - very little is resolved!

Hopefully Mr. Brooks puts more effort in the next installment.

Poorly done book. Very similar to the last several Terry Briiks books. Almost seems as if someone else is actually writing to books now. No depth of character or plot.
The character are like stick figures with a need to state and restate the obvious.

I've read everything Terry Brooks has ever written and after this one I will never read another one! He has either lost his touch or just ran out of ideas but this is terrible. So disappointed in such a great author of fantasy.

In this second volume of The Defenders of Shannara trilogy, Terry Brooks again writes about the deeds of Paxon Leah, the High Druid’s Blade. Paxon is a descendent of the Ohmsford and Leah families who has been given the ancestral Sword of Leah to wield. His sister has inherited the use of the wishsong which manifests in various members of the Ohmsford family, usually at times of duress and change in the world. The protagonist in the book is the same as in the first book of the trilogy, the sorcerer Arcannen. This time, another descendent of the Ohmsford family, albeit unknown to him, also has use of the wishsong and is discovered by Arcannen who seeks to exploit the young man’s talent for Acannen’s revenge.

This is an interesting tale. I would not put it on the same level with The Heritage of Shannara series, but it is pretty close to it. The Defenders of Shannara is definitely without a doubt better than any Shannara entry since The Voyage of the Jerle Shannara. The action is not the usual swords and sorcery stuff, nor is it a blood soaked saga like A Saga of Fire and Ice. Death happens, but it is not gratuitous violence meant to satisfy young male readers. Brooks has always been trying to present a moral and ethical dimension to the series and the conflict in the books is often driven by those concepts.

Shannara is often what I refer to as a thinking fan’s fantasy. Revenge drives Arcannen in this tale, but the real story is in Paxon’s attempts to figure out what Arcannen is trying to do. It is a bit simplistic at first, but revenge itself often is. Paxon is a bit adrift throughout the book and that is one of the plot holes in it. He seems a bit too reluctant to take charge. He also seems to be divided by his interest in Leofur, the young woman he met in the previous book, and the Druidess Aveline. I am not too thrilled with the way Brooks handled that. I have a feeling that some of the interactions between Paxon and Aveline were cut from the book which is surprising because Brooks usually thrives in that area. In fact, there are times when I feel this book was edited to orient the story more towards the Game of Thrones audience.

Still, this is a good book. Brooks is clearly one of the best fantasy authors in the genre and his catalog of work shows it. Shannara has been a great series for years and has a dedicated fan base. His mind keeps springing out more tales. Even as he mulls retirement, Brooks is still discovering something else to write about for the series. His “final trilogy” idea seems to have come a bit too soon as he has a few ideas for some stand alone books which he is working on currently, so even if he does retire, I think we have several more years of Shannara books to come. If they are as good as this trilogy, I will be very pleased.

In " The Darkling Child" the second book in "The Defenders of Shannara" series tragedy has consumed the pirate fortress of Arbrox where the dark sorcerer Arcannen has taken refuge. Away when commander Dallen Usuriant and his Red Slash massacred everyone Arcannen has vowed revenge and will stop at nothing to bring justice to those that robbed him of his sanctuary and for the lives of the innocent who were killed along with the guilty.

Woven into an interesting tale that centers around Arcannen's vengeance and Paxon Leah's quest to return the bearer of the wishsong to Paranor is Reyn Frosch's struggle to resist the sinister plan of the sorcerer who covets his power. The plot quickly heats up with a confrontation in the small town of Portlow that has Paxon rushing to save Avelene who's enclosed in a black cylinder, and Reyn's escape from Druids he fears want him dead.

Like all of Terry Brooks novels the action never stops in the imaginary world of Shannara as events unfold that unleash a clash of wills that can only end in death, uncertainty and brokenness. Intensity and suspense continually build when egos collide as Dallen the duty-oriented, arrogant leader of the Red Slash, the Federation's first line of defense against any threat tries to destroy Arcannen only to face the terror of defeat. In an atmosphere of dark uncertainty, hatred and fear and themes that include revenge, deception, self-sacrifice and redemption this fantasy quest rushes quickly and smoothly towards a fiery climax.

In this story Paxon has come-of -age having learned to control the power of the Sword of Leah and taking his place as the protector of the Druid Order. Hardworking, resilient and fearless in his duty, he's lonely yearning to love and share his life. Attracted to Avelene the highly-intelligent, independent and bold Druid Emissary he questions his former feelings for Leofur Rai but her indifference keeps them apart. In contrast Reyn Frosch gifted with unpredictable magic develops in this tale from an insecure, easily manipulated and frightened young man who's determined not to kill. But oddly he comes under the influence of the beautiful, enigmatic Lariana who's self-absorbed, strong-willed, and clever. Although Reyn is shrewd enough to fathom Arcannen's use of Lariana in his sinister plan, strangely he becomes vulnerable to her wiles. While all these characters bring power and passion to the fantasy with the complexity of their personalities , it is the heartless coldness of Arcannen that adds a frightening chill.

Although I remain a fan of the Shannara Chronicles I wasn't enthralled by this quest as I have been with other novels. Yet I liked " The Darkling Child" and look forward to reading the third book in the "Defenders of Shannara".

Terry Brooks still has the ability to turn a phrase and to paint an exquisite picture of the world of Shannara. He has done so again in The Darkling Child (The Defenders of Shannara). Being a fan of the Shannara Series does not mean that I cannot look at this story with a critical eye.

Even so I thoroughly enjoyed Paxon Leah in his quest to find the wishsong and it source before the evil Arcannen, does. While this looks to be what he needs to do it does not give Paxon the peace that he needs. I loved how it looks as if he does find it in the end. Allanon may have stolen my heart thirty or so years ago but Paxon, the Highlander, is running to taking it from hm.

Granted this book has strong ties with the entire Shannara Series, especially The High Druid's Blade, the first book in the Defenders of Shannara, it still reads well on its own. As the story unfolds, Mr. Brooks gives background information so that a new reader would not feel lost in this unique world of his creation.

The publisher through Net Galley provided a copy.

I'm an occasional Fantasy reader, but by the time I was introduced to the world of Shannara it was dozens of books deep and seemed so complex that I just eschewed it for smaller series rather than try to figure out how best to start. Then along came The Darkling Child, which purported to be a stand-alone story and easy read for first-time visitors to Brooks' labyrinthian world. So keep in mind that I am judging this book solely on its own merits, and not that of its incorporation into existing mythos.

For all that I'd ever heard about Shannara, I guess I expected something more original. Instead it seems like a generic Dungeons & Dragons-inspired setting with predictably flat characters sorted into laughable stereotypes. Hero? Perfectly good, couldn't be better. Villain? Perfectly bad, completely irredeemable. No real thought or explanation to either, the reader is simply left to the start reality that characters are who their roles make them. Which is fine, whatever, I've survived enough Brandon Sanderson books at this point to get past poor character development assuming the plot is intriguing and swiftly-paced.

Unfortunately it isn't. This has to be one of the slowest books I've read since Robert Jordan's infamous Crossroads of Twilight. In a sense it's exactly the opposite of where the market is right now. With the burgeoning popularity of comic book movies and HBO's Game of Throne adaptation, much of the fantasy genre has moved to fast-paced, action-oriented prose. The Darkling Child plods along at a leisurely pace before heading into a (double) cliffhanger right when things finally get going.

Also, despite claims that this would be an easy toe-dip into Shannara, there were several times where I felt I was missing the story because some introduction or another was clearly predicated on the character or event having weight in the world that I didn't understand. So while I didn't feel like I needed to know the plots of the previous series, I definitely felt like the politics and setting from those books would've been helpful understanding this one.

Overall it's really tough for me to recommend The Darkling Child. Again, I've never read Brooks so I'm sure I'll get a good lashing from his fans telling me why I'm wrong, but I found the characters unengaging, the plot plodding, and the appeal lost on me.

A terrific adventure, fast paced, highly entertaining. Paxon Leah is the Defender of the Druids using 'the Sword of Leah'. Arcannen Rai, is a sorcerer bent on evil. Young Reyn Frosch’s Wishsong is Arcannen's target. Avelene, a Druid, teams up with Paxon to foil Arcannen once again.

BOOK #1 The High Druid's Blade: set 100 years after the events in 2013's Witch Wraith. 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 Raj 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.

For those who are new to the epic 29 book series, I got this info from the web and hope it helps you. Shannara series: The list below represents Terry Brooks' suggested reading order for new readers,"It is important to make a note right now for new readers. If as a new reader you read the novels in chronological order, you will be significantly spoiling your foray through Terry's work."
The Sword of Shannara (1977)
The Elfstones of Shannara (1982)
The Wishsong of Shannara (1985)
The Scions of Shannara (1990)
The Druid of Shannara (1991)
The Elf Queen of Shannara (1992)
The Talismans of Shannara (1993)
First King of Shannara (1996)
Running with the Demon (1997)
A Knight of the Word (1998)
Angel Fire East (1999)
Ilse Witch (2000)
Antrax (2001)
Morgawr (2002)
Jarka Ruus (2003)
Tanequil (2004)
Straken (2005)
Armageddon's Children (2006)
The Elves of Cintra (2007)
The Gypsy Morph (2008)
Bearers of the Black Staff (2010)
The Measure of the Magic (2011)
Wards of Faerie (2012)
Bloodfire Quest (2013)
Witch Wraith (2013)
The High Druids Blade (July 15, 2014)
The Darkling Child (June 2015)
The Sorcerer's Apprentice (July 2016)

BOOKS IN ORDER OF EVENTS AS THEY OCCUR:
Running with the Demon (1997)
A Knight of the Word (1998)
Angel Fire East (1999)
Armageddon's Children (2006)
The Elves of Cintra (2007)
The Gypsy Morph ( 2008)
Bearers of the Black Staff (2010)
The Measure of the Magic (2011)
First King of Shannara (1996)
The Sword of Shannara (1977)
The Elfstones of Shannara (1982)
The Wishsong of Shannara (1985)
The Scions of Shannara (1990)
The Druid of Shannara (1991)
The Elf Queen of Shannara (1992)
The Talismans of Shannara (1993)
Ilse Witch (2000)
Antrax (2001)
Morgawr (2002)
Jarka Ruus (2003)
Tanequil (2004)
Straken (2005)
Wards of Faerie (2012)
Bloodfire Quest (2013)
Witch Wraith (2013)
The High Druids Blade (July 15, 2014)
The Darkling Child (July/August 2015)
Defenders of Shannara (2016?)

RELATED WORKS:
Indomitable (2003) (short story)
Dark Wraith of Shannara (2008) (graphic novel)
Walker and the Shade of Allanon (Spring 2013)
Imaginary Friends (1991 & Spring 2013)
Allanon's Quest (July 2012) (eBook short story)
The Weapons Master's Choice (January 2013) (eBook short story)
The Black Irix (June 2013) (eBook short story)

MISCELLANEOUS:
The Guide to Shannara (1986)
The World of Shannara (2001) (companion book)
Indomitable (2003) (short story)
Dark Wraith of Shannara (2008) (graphic novel) [12]
Walker and the Shade of Allanon (Spring 2013)
Imaginary Friends (1991 & Spring 2013)

The Darkling Child
By
Terry Brooks

What it's all about...

This is supposed to be "the book before the other books". It is also supposed to be a "stand alone". It begins with Ard Rhys...it is her time to depart this world. Paxon now becomes a key player and protector of this world. But there is Userient...Commander Of The Red Slash which seems to be a sort of attack force and Reyn...who screams and people disintegrate. Yikes! Unfortunately a sorcerer named Arcannon gets Reyn in his clutches. This is not a good thing. There are other chapters, too...Lariana...a beautiful girl who is with Reyn and Arcannon and a Druid...and Avalene who is with Paxon.

My thoughts after reading this book...

My mistake was in thinking that this book was a true stand alone. Plus...I have never read any other Terry Brooks novels. So for a good part of my reading experience with this book...I really did feel lost. But I am the kind of reader who likes knowing lots of background with books like this. So I am totally at fault by thinking I could "get" this book without reading the others. I found it difficult to keep track of all of the players and I felt lost while reading this book but again...that's me and not the writing. And seriously? The moment I thought I understood a faction, a group...another new name was tossed in...again...I think you really need to know about these characters before attempting to read this book. Gnomes and trolls and elves...oh my! And then he threw in Shadowmen!

What I loved best...

However...slowly...I really did get caught up in this world. I don't even know if I should have but I loved Userient. And I loved Paxon and Avalene and I want to know more about this series. I think that I would have to actually sit down and read every book in order in order for me to get a true understanding of this world...it's like being a Trekkie...sort of...but I actually think that I want to do it. By the time I was 3/4 of the way through this book...I loved it!

What potential readers might want to know...

If you love this world and this author's books...I think you might like this one but from what I have read from other reviews...readers love other Terry Brooks books more. I think that for me...this book was a teaser...it simply made me want to read this series...as soon as I can figure out which book to read next! This book was quite a surprise for me!

I was informed before reading the book that The Darkling Child is a book in a long series of Shannara books written by Brooks. I wasn’t sure that I would be able to follow along, or even have a sense of what was really going on. In addition, there wasn’t a number of order for this book on NetGalley. (They love to torture us that way.)
To my surprise, I never once felt lost or uninformed about the story I as I read. There were definitely parts that I would have been better informed had I read the first book, yes, but overall, this book was incredibly easy to read and understand. Actually, that is one of many things I enjoyed about this fantastic book. Even the names of places and characters are easy to sound out; a terrific, and appreciated quality in my opinion.
From a speck of dirt, to the fluff of the clouds, you see it, as I’m certain the author did; there is no lack of description in this book - this made an awful lot of things in the novel awesome to be apart of.
And the characters. . .
All of them were so terrific. I mean, wow! They are written perfectly. I developed just enough attachment, and have a so opinion of them according to their role and purpose to the story. Again, I felt like my relationship with them was similar, if not exact, to the author.
It’s hard to find stores that are written with such careful consideration, and I’m sure it has something to do with how long the stories of Shannara have been going on. I am definitely going to seek out other books by Terry Brooks with every intention of reading more of Shannara.
I happily give this book four stars. The only thing that prevents me from give it all five, is the speed in which you feel you’re reading. Even though this story is only 320 pages long, it felt like a 500 page novel. It felt, to me, that it took me forever to read.

Another semi-stand-alone Shannara novel, the slow-paced Darkling Child picks up after The High Druid's Blade, following some of the surviving characters, most notably Arcannen and Paxon Leah.

We get Brooks' tried-and-true formula of a coming-of-age magic-bearing scion of an ancient family, a dastardly irredeemable villain, bumbling good guys, and a love interest (or two). This formula usually makes for a pleasant (lightweight) read, but this volume just plods. Consistently, what Brooks writes really really well is action, magic, and the sight of otherworldy scenes. What he writes more weakly is conversation and character-development. Unfortunately, this book is heavy on the latter category. While it reads easily, the characters seem "off", and it's hard to care about any of them.

(**lightweight spoilers ahead) We spend lots of time with Arcannen, but never get a sense of either malice or drive, and there's no discussion of his background. He seems extremely evil but mild-mannered, super-powerful but doesn't use his magic for anything mundane. Some authors could weave those elements together, but instead we get an Arcannen who seems nothing like the one in the previous book, and is more boring than deadly (except in one or two chapters). And there's the usual highly-placed Federation bad-guy, who is utterly one-dimensional. There's repeated (like 10-15) hints about something odd about the female love interest Larianna, but Brooks never goes anywhere with that idea. We briefly see several druids, but all but Alphenglow are barely developed.
(**end of spoilers)

Even the highlight of the book, the final battle scene, is shorter (and duller) than the opening battle scene. The character development and plot feel amateur.
If I didn't know better, I'd say an editor put this volume together from Brooks' notes, rather than him writing it himself.

I'm also not a fan of the "portable flash rips" as Shannara goes the way of sci-fi ray-guns.

I've been reading Brooks since the early days, and while the Shannara world isn't as fresh or unique as it once was, I do still enjoy immersing myself in it. But unfortunately, Brooks has never really topped his first Shannara books, nor the excellent Word & Void series. Other than "Measure of the Magic", almost everything since the excellent "Voyage of the Jerle Shannara" series has been on the soft side, even leaning towards mundane. Darkling Child continues that unfortunate trend. Recommended for diehard fans, and for a "beach read", only.

The only reason I give this a 3 is because of the superb narration. I listened to this on the audible app.

On to the review. There was no character development whatsoever and it just all seemed bland. Nothing drew me into this conflict because it was so poorly written. Rather than expanding on the characters personalities and thought, it was horribly muddled with backstory that had nothing to do with the plot. It kind of brings to mind reading a history book with random factoids on the side. It just shouldn’t have been in the story. I was also under the impression from the first book that Paxon was the main character; he is far from that to such an extent I would have to wonder why was he even in it? He and the Druid that followed him had no impact on the story whatsoever. Their presence was absolutely inconsequential. The story writing seemed lazy and full of plot holes. I might as well listen to the third installment since I purchased all three at once but I wish I would have waited. Don’t waste your time with this novel.

This novel makes a great re-entry point for fans of the Shannara series who might have not returned to this series for awhile. It also makes for a great starting point for new readers. I've been a fan since the first book in the series (Sword of Shannara), but I really felt that the 'Scions of Shannara' series was the best. I lost interest somewhat in college (not much time for recreational reading), but picked up a couple of the newer novels from Powell's and had some Vine offers, and I am pretty pleased with the newer stuff.

Brooks has a great style and a good 'voice' for fantasy fiction. His novels are the type that fans of full fantasy enjoy: diabolical villains, archetypal heroes, a pretty good line between good and evil (though it blurs sometimes!). This isn't political fantasy (think Game of Thrones) but neither do the novels veer towards the overly mystical (gods and prophecies and such).

The recent novels show a trend with some of the current fantasy authors: standalone novels set in a greater fantasy world. This novel contains several recurring characters and also features the 'wishsong' which appears regularly in the Shannara novels - but newcomers won't be confused. This is a great standalone fantasy novel for fans of the genre. Read it and become hooked - then start at the beginning - but make sure to read the Scions right after 'Sword...', 'Elfstones...', 'Wishsong...'

I started reading Terry Brooks' Shannara series many, many years ago. I never actually finished - I believe I succumbed to the "long series/long wait" syndrome - though I remember really liking them. So when I saw this book and it was mentioned as a sort of review of the Shannara books, I decided I wanted to read it. Basically, did I want to be drawn back into the Shannara world after this much time had passed? How much did I remember about that world?

In answer to the second question - not much. While the book is written as a stand-alone, there were several parts where past events were discussed. Instead of making me feel like I had just been filled in, I felt sort of lost. Basically, reading the prior series isn't REQUIRED, but some things would certainly make more sense that way.

In answer to the first question - I'm unsure. It wasn't really compelling enough of an overall story for me to feel an urgent pull back into the world. Yes, it was interesting and somewhat decent on its own. But it really never clicked with me as the ending of a series other than the blank spots when I felt like I was missing something.

Overall, I was...OK. I wouldn't make room on my bookshelf for it, nor will be make it a point to tell all my reading friends how amazing it was. It's just another book under the bridge, really.

The Darkling Child is a fun adventure from beginning to end. This is a continuation of sorts from the previous novel High Druid's Blade and you should read it if you can, however this also serves as a standalone novel for those readers interested in jumping in fresh.

The newest entry in the land of Shannara had be wondering what was going to happen along the way. In the age of predictability, this novel had an unexpected end. There are strong and well developed characters, and some questioning of motivations, which will make you question what will happen along the way. It's like watching a chess game without knowing where some of the pieces are at, so you're never quite sure who has the advantage. There is fear and manipulation, and so many tools are used beyond the magic available to the antagonist. He's smart, and not easily overcome. How can good prevail, if it can? Great suspense.

This novel is very fast paced and exciting. I found myself immersed only pages in, where most other books take many chapters to feel invested, if you do at all. This may be one of the more unique novels that I've ever seen take place in the wonderfully crafted Shannara universe. There's nothing obvious about the writing, and nothing copied and pasted from any other book. The whole journey feels very fresh and interesting.

The ending is not a "cookie cutter" style ending, and although it does serve as an ending for readers only stopping by for this story, for most people this will leave you ready and excited for the next novel in the Defenders of Shannara series. Who knows what direction the surviving characters will go next. This was the best book that I've read all year, and I've read some very popular series. Nobody does this better than Terry Brooks, and I can't wait for the next book he writes to come out.

I received a republication copy of this book (June 12, 2015) through NetGalley with the understanding that I would publish are review on my blog, LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter and Google + pages along with NetGalley, the store and Goodreads.

I requested this book because I am interested in fantasy and I have read all of the other books by Terry Brooks in the Shannara series. I will give you my overall impressions of the book without giving away too many of the details of the book. I hate it when I start to read a review that reveals the whole story line (I stop and don't go any further at that point).

This latest addition to the Shannara saga does not disappoint. It quickly engages the reader which makes it a fast read and one that is hard to put down. I am looking forward to the next book in the series.

While it can function as a stand alone book starting another story arc, it is helpful if the reader has some knowledge of the events occurring in the world of Shannara as wishsong plays an important role in the book.

I strongly recommend this book to those fantasy readers who are following the Shannara series as the author continues a new grouping about that world.

I received a free copy of this from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Years and years ago I read every book Brooks wrote that I could get my hands on. It has been so long that I could not begin to tell you what I read in those books, but I do remember how much I loved spending time in his world. That is something that I felt again upon reading this book.

The Darkling Child is great fantasy with a classic feel. I have seen this novel described as a great starting point into his already well established world and I would agree. Brooks does a good job of giving you all of the back info that you need for this book in the story itself.

I do think that if you are a long time reader of his, you will get more out of the story because I can see that there are a lot of tie-ins and well loved characters and themes being used throughout the story. Again though, I didn't feel lost at any point during the book, which is a big deal. A lot of times, when I jump into a series that has been going on for a long time, I feel like I am missing out on a lot of things, so hats off to the author for pulling that off successfully.

Looking forward to reading more of his Shannara novels, hopefully soon.

I would recommend this to any fan of fantasy, specifically those who like Jordan, Forgotten Realms, Dragonlance and Lord of the Rings style fantasy.

This is another of Terry Brook's standalone Shannara novels. It is a stand-alone, but it does follow on after the events of The High Druid's Blade. I agree with other reviewers that the pacing is a bit slower than Brook's previous recent books, like High Druid's Blade, BUT Brook's writing is so superb, his story-telling so spot on, that the pacing didn't bother me at all. And when there is action it builds well and hits hard, providing enough excitement to keep the story engaging.

An sample of Brook's simmering prose (*possible spoiler*) from near the end: "Reyn continued to build his magic, feeling it spread through him from toes to fingertips until the aura of its still-inaudible sound cloaked him with its vibration. Still, he struggled with holding it together, with smoothing it out and keeping it pure. Still, he fought to ready it for the use he had been told to make of it. And still, it neither responded nor felt quite as it should...."

All in all, still a great summer read, especially for lovers of fantasy and the worlds of Terry Brooks. Barely over 300 pages (in the ARC), it's a quick read as well.

The Darkling Child, the latest in Terry Brooks's long-running Shannara series, is supposedly a standalone book, but reading The High Druid's Blade prior to it would be beneficial.

The beginning has a nostalgic feel to it with the scene of the druids and what happens when one passes from the world. The setup in the first third is done well, with a few somewhat intriguing characters, but the middle third is a chore. The storyline is linear with no surprises. The pace picks up in the final third with some battle scenes, but the central villain is bland -- nothing about him makes him stand out from countless other fantasy-based villains. The reappearance of the Wishsong was a welcomed event and was the perfect "weapon" for the story. The forbidden romance story seemed awkward and out of place at times, but many Shannara tales have had a similar underlying romance theme.

Overall, The Darkling Child is a slightly better-than-average addition to the Shannara series.

This was my first Shannara book. It seems like somewhere I read that you didn't have to read the other books to read this one.

Well...the first chapter proved that wrong. There was quite a bit going on that seemed to have greater meaning if you had read the previous books.

The first chapter also seemed slow to me, but then things picked up when we get to Reyn. I found Reyn's storyline to be the most interesting.

There is quite a bit of point of view changes in the story and even many in different chapters, sometimes that made it hard to keep track who's POV we're in and ended up being a little jarring.

The book kept me reading to the end, and was interesting, but I probably would have gotten much more out of it had I started with earlier Shannara novels.

So if this is your first go at the Shannara books, give a thought to starting at the beginning of the series. I've heard that Mr. Brooks' Genesis Shannara books are a good place to start as well.

This is a solid story which is approachable for people who have not read the other 25+ books in the Shannara world. I remember liking the first couple books in the series 30+ years ago but I remember nothing about them. There are plenty of references to events that have happened in the past in this world and they do interrupt the plot but you can read and enjoy this as a stand alone story.

The characters are reasonably well developed and the plot elements are interesting (but not really novel). Some of the sites and scenes are vividly rendered and very memorable. The major weakness of the book is its simplicity. The plot is very linear and it is nothing but a very long build up to a "boss fight". So, while the writing is good to excellent and the plot is not bad, it just did not feel inspired or new.

If you have never read Brooks and if you want to get a taste of the Shannara world this a fine place to start.

The Darkling Child (2014) is the second Fantasy novel in the Defenders of Shannara subseries within the Shannara sequence, following The High Druid's Blade. The initial volume in this sequence is The Sword of Shannara.

In the previous volume, Jayet came to the cottage to get Paxon. Chrys was having troubles back at the tavern. She got into a dice game with a stranger and lost. She didn't have the money to pay her losses and the stranger demanded her services.

Paxon and Jayet quickly head to the tavern. Chrys and the stranger were gone. Paxon forced the barkeep to tell them where they went. Then Paxon ran to the airfield.

On the way, he picked up a piece of iron to use as a weapon. He saw the stranger and his sister go up the gangplank of the airship. By the time he reached the ship, Chrys was gone and the stranger faced him.

The stranger told him to drop the iron and it fell out of Paxon's hand. The stranger told Paxon that his sister was going to Wayford. Then the stranger ordered his men to beat up Paxon. He suggested that Paxon bring a weapon next time they met.

In this novel, Paxon Leah is the great grandson of Mirai Leah and Railing Ohmsford. He lives in the city of Leah in the nation of Leah. His ancestors had been kings and queens of the nation. Now he is the High Druid's Blade, the protector of the Druids.

Chrysallin Leah is Paxon's fifteen year old sister. Chrys has the talent of the Wishsong, but now she has lost all memory of it.

Aphenglow Elessedil is the granddaughter of the King of the Elves. The Elves shunned her when she became a Druid. Now Aphen is the Ard Rhys of the Fourth Druid Order.

Isaturin is the heir apparent of the Ard Rhys. He has understudied her for years, but still feels less than competent.

Avelene is a Druid at Paranor. She studies the various types of magic.

Dallen Usurient is the commander of the Red Slash, a Federation military unit. He uses his troops for preemptive strikes against treats to the Southland.

Arcannen is a sorcerer. He collects magical artifacts.

Reyn Frosch is a sixteen year old bard. He is very tall for his age, but has a wonderful voice. He also has a magical talent.

Gammon is the barkeep of the Boar's Head Tavern. He has again invited Reyn to sing at the tavern.

In this story, the Ard Rhys is slowly dying. She summons Paxon and says that she is leaving Paranor. Isaturin has already gone for an airship.

Aphenglow tells him to protect and comfort his sister. She says once again that Chrys will regain her memory of the Wishsong sooner or later. She asks him to help Isaturin in his new role.

She goes in a fast clipper to the Dragon's teeth. She leaves the airship with Isaturin and Paxon to walk to the Valley of Shale. Then she takes Paxon to the Hadeshorn.

She tells Paxon to go no further and walks down to the shore of the lake. The water start to roil and waves beat the shore. Then a giant creature dressed as a Druid takes Aphenglow and retreats into the lake.

Meanwhile, Usurient takes the Red Slash to attack an old fortress. His spies have determined that pirates are staying there. Arcannen is also dwelling in the ruins of the fortress.

The Red Slash warships blast the outer walls with flash rips. Then the troops go in and kill everybody inside. But they don't find Arcannen.

Six weeks later, Reyn comes to the Boar's Head Tavern in Portlow. The tavern is very crowded. They have come to hear him.

Reyn goes through the crowd to the bar. He waves at Gammon and continues on to the kitchen. He hangs up his cape and elleryn on the coatrack.

The barkeep welcomes him back. Reyn makes and eats a sandwich. Then he tunes his instrument and goes back to the main room to perform.

Arcannen has come to the tavern to hear Reyn sing. He recognizes the magic and offers to help Reyn. The boy says that he will think about it.

The crowd listens attentively to his songs. His magic stirs their emotions. Yet a couple of men are disturbed by his magic.

The two men wait outside for his appearance. One breaks his instrument and then both attack Reyn. Reyn is very angry and afraid.

He screams and one man dies from the scream. The other is dismembered. Then Reyn goes into a fugue and is unaware of his surroundings.

This tale registers a disturbance on the Druid scrying device. It appears to be much the same as the Wishsong disturbance observed by Avelene five years before. Isaturin sends her out to search for the source.

Paxon accompanies Avelene to protect her. The next installment in this sequence -- The Sorcerer's Daughter -- has not yet been announced on the store.

Highly recommended for Brooks fans and for anyone else who enjoys tales of various magics, druid quests, and a bit of romance. Read and enjoy!

-Arthur W. Jordin

So I've basically been a Terry Brooks fan for life...or at least since 7th or 8th grade when I first read the "Sword", "Elfstones" and "Wishsong" of Shannnara. Since then I've read nearly all of his novels only missing a few here and there when life got in the way. As such I have a certain sense of loyalty to Brooks and to the Shannara world in general. I really liked his sort of "origin" stories where he wrote about magic in "our" world and the end of our world followed by the creation of the world known in the Shannara stories. It was a fun weaving of stories and a nice change of pace.

That said, with his past few novels, Brooks has returned to his core worlds of Shannara fantasy and magic. This latest book, "The Darkling Child" is a stand alone novel that takes place 5 years after the previous novel, "The High Druid's Blade." It involves some of the same characters but introduces new characters and new dangers. At its heart, the book has the same main villain as its predecessor, the sorcerer Arcannen. After having his plots foiled and his world turned upside down in 'High Druid's Blade', Arcannen has spent the past five years essentially hiding out and rebuilding. What his exact plans are unknown (other than an overarching goal of eventually infiltrating and either taking over or destroying the Druid Order). New plans are set in motion in this book when the Federation discovers Arcannen's location (in the same village where some other outlaws and pirates are hiding out) and they send a force to destroy them. Arcannen escapes the resulting destruction but vows revenge on those who destroyed his village.

The new element in this book is a teenage boy named Reyn who happens to bear the ancient power of the wishsong (it's never explicitly said but I presume Reyn is "the Darkling Child" of the title...though perhaps it could be argued that Paxon may still be a darkling in development). Arcannen learns of this power and seeks to subvert and use Reyn for his own purposes. The druids sense the wishsong magic and send out Paxon Leah (the "High Druid's Blade") and a druid emissary to discover the bearer of the magic, determine any risk and decide what is to be done. Paxon is especially interested in this new wishsong magic since his sister, Chrysallin, was discovered to have the wishsong in the previous novel and the implications of that discovery are still unclear to everyone involved, especially Paxon and Chrys. Thus Paxon undertakes the mission out of loyalty to the Druids but also as a mission of discovery to try and determine the risks and needs of his sister and figure out the path they should take.

Even though this is a stand alone novel with only ~300 pages, Brooks allows the book to take on a larger saga-like feel by weaving together multiple storylines each with compelling characters. While not ever character receives the same depth and treatment, they are fleshed out enough to allow each storyline to be interesting.

We follow the storyline of Arcannen, Reyn and Lariana (a teenage girl brought by Arcannen to try and 'persuade' Reyn) as Arcannen works to subvert Reyn and exact revenge against the Federation fleet that destroyed his home. We follow the story various Federation leaders (both political and military) as they work through their plots to deal with Arcannen while still 'saving face.' We follow the story of Paxon and Avelene as they search first for the bearer of the wishsong magic and then for Arcannen and Reyn jointly. The interweaving of the various stories and the jumping between main characters allows for an interesting read that draws the reader in by allowing for greater analysis of motives and personalities.

With the title of "Darkling Child", I expected a little more subverting of Reyn (or someone)...a little more "dark side" or struggle (perhaps something akin to the first Shannara novels). I was a little let down that Reyn's struggles felt a little superficial and less than supernatural. Yes they were definitely valid and compelling struggles, just less "darkling" than I expected.

Generally speaking, I feel like Brooks has plateaued a little bit in terms of his writing. That's not to say this book (or some of his other recent books) are bad. They just don't feel quite as fresh as some of his other books and series. Granted, with ~2 dozen Shannara books, there's bound to be some "sameness", especially in order to maintain cohesion of the fantasy world involved. Still, for fans of the Shannara novels, this is a great addition. And for those who are looking for an entry point, the stand alone nature would help this be a good fit.

Overall the story is exciting and fun. Some of the scenes were a bit truncated for my taste, especially after some of the build up, but that's the hazard of a shortish stand-alone. The characters' actions and motivations were generally believable and the world was cohesive and engaging. Not the best of Brooks' work but still a worthy title to bear the Shannara heritage and be part of the overall library.

***
3 out of 5 stars

Terry Brooks’ second novel in the Defenders of Shannara series has a bit more drive than its predecessor.

The story flowed smoothly from beginning to end had a more developed plot. There was plenty of action with some short character development thrown in and a sprinkle of romanticism. It was apparent that the author took special care in picking up each character where they left off from the previous novel. Even though it is standalone, some key background information from the first book was helpful in understanding the state of things and also contributed to the smaller, overarching themes that I expect will be concluded in the third book. The only real disappointment was the suspense factor which seemed to have been turned down a notch from the first novel.

Supporting a larger cast than the previous novel, The Darkling Child was more invested in character development this time around. New characters were thrown into the fray, each with their own purpose to fulfill. They were well placed and always had a purpose for being where they were. However, the romanticism between a couple of the characters felt off-key and didn’t really add anything to the story.

Paxon, the protagonist from The High Druid’s Blade and still an important character in this book, steps aside to allow room for the new protagonist, Reyn. He was an interesting character who, because of the nature of his power and his family history, tied his story in with the larger backstory of the entire Shannara series. I was sympathetic with his situation and as he was a child who feared his powers. While he was a fresh face with a unique perspective on his magic, I was slightly disappointed with how naïve he was throughout most the book.

The place where this book really shines is with Arcannan. Finally having proved himself worthy of being a villain, he spared no expense to show off just how deadly his magic can be. While it would have been nice to see more of his background, the author did an amazing job digging into his mind and revealing how he thinks. He is a much more interesting, and terrifying, character this time around. So much of the book is devoted to him that it felt like he was the intended central character of the story. The fact that he has an endgame in mind made all the difference for me.

To sum up, The Darkling Child is an excellent read for anyone who enjoyed the first book and desires more. It is an excellent sequel that raised my interest in the series as a whole as I got to see what the magic in this world can really do. While I felt like it needed a couple more chapters to tie everything up in the end, it left me with a high expectation for the third book to continue the trend of Arcannan’s rise from man to monstrosity…

I find it interesting that the protagonist of this series is one of the Leahs, as opposed to another Ohmsford. We see a more sympathetic view of the Druid Order than in past books, and this trilogy (so far at least) seems to be written on a much smaller scale than I’m used to. They read more like stand alone novels than the cliffhanging epics of the past. Unfortunately, this series isn't interesting enough for me to read the final book.

I have been reading the Shannara series for 16 years, starting with the very earliest so I've felt very determined to see it through to the end in spite of the deteriorating quality of Terry Brooks' writing. However, the last two installments (The High Druid's Blade, and The Darkling Child) have been among the worst fantasy novels I have ever read. Brooks' clumsy attempts at character depth result in highly sensitive protagonists whose emotional states shift wildly with very little provocation as well as character romances that have pairs going from complete strangers to fanatical lovers willing to lay their own lives down for one another within weeks of meeting. Other characters exhibit behavior and commit errors in judgement that are completely inconsistent with how those characters are portrayed earlier in the novel. These failings have become a staple of Terry Brooks' writing of late. If you are not a slave to seeing things through as I am, I highly recommend against reading any of The Defenders of Shannara novels.

The Shannara chronicles used to be a favorite read, so it was fun to get to be reacquainted with the story. This one is not as well penned or turned out as some of Brooks' other stories - it follows the somewhat formulaic pattern: old family has an heir coming of age, some inept family/friends as good guys, love interests, and a nasty villain, with a bunch of magical fight scenes interspersed. Character development is not great and there aren't any super relatable characters. Battle scenes are not as well executed as previous books and seems somewhat dull. Even the climatic scene lacks panache.

Terry Brooks has done it again.. and again... and here yet again. I'm in my mid 40's and grew up reading in the Shannara Universe and I still find myself excited about opening a new book from Brooks. The Darkling Child was no exception. I am not one to put out spoilers in reviews of books, but let me say this: If you are a Shannara fan you will not likely be disappointed in this book and if you have never read a Shannara novel then this book would be a great start for you! If you buy it I hope you enjoy it as much as I did and thank you for taking the time to read my review.

Any fan of Terry Brooks will find this a welcome addition. As intended, this book can stand alone on its own without having read the one before it, The High Druid’s Blade (or any of the earlier works of the Shannara series). The magic of the wishsong and how it came about has been one of my personal favorite story lines, so getting another perspective on its use in The Darkling Child was great fun and kept me engaged. So in this case (as with many others), Terry has done it again: left me wanting more. I thoroughly enjoyed this one, and I look forward to his next book.

I have read Shannara books for decades now and have been very pleased with them. This one is no exception. I love the fantasy world that Terry Brooks creates... it is so lifelike and really easy to immerse yourself in. I liked the characters, and find that the writing it excellent. This is somewhat of a stand alone book, so you don't have to have read all the other ones, but there are some advantages if you did. The characters are varied deeply, from good to evil, and you really get a sense of them. I enjoyed reading it. It wasn't the very best of his, but very good.

I have read an earlier book in this series, and absolutely loved it so I was extremely looking forward to this one and it didn't disappoint! Terry Brooks has an amazing way of weaving a plot that sucks the reader in from the very first page. The storyline of The Darkling Child is unique in so many ways. At an initial glance it may seem like a typical paranormal, war based novel, but there really is so much more to it than that. The characters are well scripted, the language used is beautifully descriptive and you can't stop yourself from getting hooked!

This is not to the authors usual standard, I found it bland and unsatisfying. While there is some action and surprises the storyline lack the details that have made his previous books so good and I thought the character were undeveloped. The last two books I’ve read in the series make me wonder if they are just being put out because of contractual obligation. Earlier books in this series were satisfying and long, this book was neither it is kissing everything that made the earlier books great.

2.5/5 STARS: **I want to thank the author and/or the publisher for providing a copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review; all opinions are mine.**

Even though I’m a huge fantasy fan, I’ve never read any Shannara books. I have read most of Brooks’ Magic Kingdom of Landover series and liked them, but I never knew where to start with Shannara because there are so many. THE DARKLING CHILD, the second in the Defenders of Shannara trilogy, is supposed to be a standalone, and a good entry point for new readers.

After reading THE DARKLING CHILD, I have no interest in reading any other books in the Shannara series. I struggled to get through this book, and wondered more than once how Brooks is so popular. Maybe his work has decreased in quality over the years, because THE DARKLING CHILD? Substandard fantasy. I really felt like the author was trying to hit a certain page count and that was it.

I don’t even know where to start, other than to say I can’t remember much of the book, and I finished it a day ago. I was tempted to put THE DARKLING CHILD down after the first few chapters, but I know fantasy can have a slow pace to start, so I gave it a chance. But I wish I didn’t, because this book was a slog to get through.

I wouldn’t recommend this if you’re new to Shannara, because other than explaining the origin of wishsong, there’s no real worldbuilding. I don’t know what the Federation is, what the druids do, etc. There are also references to the first book in this trilogy, THE HIGH DRUID’S BLADE, but those weren’t as bad as the shoddy writing, YA-style romances, predictable story, and lack of women other than as plot devices.

After my dismal experience with THE DARKLING CHILD, I won’t be returning to Shannara.

Maybe I needed to read a previous book of Terry Brooks books before I read this one because I found it a little hard to follow. I did understand that Paxon Leah is a protector, the personal paladin of the Ard Rhys and the High Druids Blade. His sister Chrysallin has the power of the wishsong. The sorcerer Arcannen is an evil presence in this book. Paxon is tasked to take the Ard Rhys Aphenglow Elessedil to Valley of Shale and the Hadeshorn . She knows she is dying and that is where she wishes to be. As I said hard to follow (for me) but a decent read.

This is a three or four hour tour that's perfect for a day at the airport. This is supposed to be a stand-alone novel, and it is. This is a great, lightweight book that I enjoyed reading all the way through.

I enjoyed this book very much. I'm not a fan of the air ships it's takes away from the plot some, I think that some off the hardships encountered traveling add to the plot line more than a ride aboard ship. The story is fulfilling the new villain engaging.

Shannara has hit an all time low. The last few books have been declining but this book is a complete waste of time. The story is a mess, it plods along. The story is all about Reyn. Does he become a hero or is he lured to the dark side. The problem is that no one cares. Which is just as well because in the end he literally runs away. The Druid is an annoying, completely incompetent worthless know-it-all.

Please Mr. Brooks, can we go back to the time of Allanon or Walker Boh when Druids were Druids.

Terry Brooks’ second novel in the Defenders of Shannara series has a bit more drive than its predecessor.

The story flowed smoothly from beginning to end had a more developed plot. There was plenty of action with some short character development thrown in and a sprinkle of romanticism. It was apparent that the author took special care in picking up each character where they left off from the previous novel. Even though it is standalone, some key background information from the first book was helpful in understanding the state of things and also contributed to the smaller, overarching themes that I expect will be concluded in the third book. The only real disappointment was the suspense factor which seemed to have been turned down a notch from the first novel.

Supporting a larger cast than the previous novel, The Darkling Child was more invested in character development this time around. New characters were thrown into the fray, each with their own purpose to fulfill. They were well placed and always had a purpose for being where they were. However, the romanticism between a couple of the characters felt off-key and didn’t really add anything to the story.

Paxon, the protagonist from The High Druid’s Blade and still an important character in this book, steps aside to allow room for the new protagonist, Reyn. He was an interesting character who, because of the nature of his power and his family history, tied his story in with the larger backstory of the entire Shannara series. I was sympathetic with his situation and as he was a child who feared his powers. While he was a fresh face with a unique perspective on his magic, I was slightly disappointed with how naïve he was throughout most the book.

The place where this book really shines is with Arcannan. Finally having proved himself worthy of being a villain, he spared no expense to show off just how deadly his magic can be. While it would have been nice to see more of his background, the author did an amazing job digging into his mind and revealing how he thinks. He is a much more interesting, and terrifying, character this time around. So much of the book is devoted to him that it felt like he was the intended central character of the story. The fact that he has an endgame in mind made all the difference for me.

To sum up, The Darkling Child is an excellent read for anyone who enjoyed the first book and desires more. It is an excellent sequel that raised my interest in the series as a whole as I got to see what the magic in this world can really do. While I felt like it needed a couple more chapters to tie everything up in the end, it left me with a high expectation for the third book to continue the trend of Arcannan’s rise from man to monstrosity…

This doesn't even sound like it's written by Terry Brooks. Did he hire a ghost writer? This story has no focus and the characters are two dimensional. This book deviates from every part of the firmula Brooks describes in Sometimes the Magic Works. I'm half way through the book and struggling to finish it. I have zero interest in any of these characters and I've played MMORPGs with better storylines in the Starting zones.

If you are a terry brooks family u will love this book. It is part of a new adventure and a real page turner
I have read the first two in this series and have preordered book three which comes out in may. A must book.

Two books with crappy endings. I mean Paxon became a skilled swordsman and never used it. The Druids are supposed to be the predominant magic users and they are pathetic. I've read every book in the Shannara series and have become disappointed with what's become of the Druids since Bremen and Allanon.

Terry Brooks has done it again.. and again... and here yet again. I'm in my mid 40's and grew up reading in the Shannara Universe and I still find myself excited about opening a new book from Brooks. The Darkling Child was no exception. I am not one to put out spoilers in reviews of books, but let me say this: If you are a Shannara fan you will not likely be disappointed in this book and if you have never read a Shannara novel then this book would be a great start for you! If you buy it I hope you enjoy it as much as I did and thank you for taking the time to read my review.