December DNFs

A few of these I am really surprised and disappointed about but I just... don't feel like reading books that take too much time or energy or just don't excite me. I had high hopes for each of these four -- especially for the fantasies - but just none of the following have worked for me in the last few weeks.

Sword and Verse by Kathy MacMillan

Raisa was just a child when she was sold to work as a slave in the kingdom of Qilara. Despite her young age, her father was teaching her to read and write, grooming her to take his place as a Learned One. In Qilara, the Arnathim, like Raisa, are the lowest class, and literacy is a capital offense. What’s more, only the king, prince, tutor, and tutor-in-training are allowed to learn the very highest order language, the language of the gods. So when the tutor-in-training is executed for teaching slaves this sacred language, and Raisa is selected to replace her, Raisa knows any slipup on her part could mean death.

Keeping her secret is hard enough, but the romance that’s been growing between her and Prince Mati isn’t helping matters. Then Raisa is approached by the Resistance—an underground army of slave rebels—to help liberate Arnath slaves. She wants to free her people, but that would mean aiding a war against Mati. As Raisa struggles with what to do, she discovers a secret that the Qilarites have been hiding for centuries—one that, if uncovered, could bring the kingdom to its knees.

I made it pretty far into Sword and Verse before conceding that it just wasn't the type of YA fantasy I like. I really liked the premise and some of the worldbuilding --- but it's all too superficial and flimsy. It doesn't help that the book and main character are more interested in the romance plot than anything else. That's fine --- it's jut not the type of fantasy I want to read. 

Read 270/384 - roughly 70% and then skimmed the rest.

A Better Man by Leah McLaren

 Every couple has a wish list.

Maya wants
Nick to come home earlier
To engage with their children
To engage with her

Nick wants . . .
A divorce

Having decided that their marriage is over, Nick is determined to leave quickly and with dignity. But when he looks into the financial realities of splitting up, he realizes that more of his hard-earned income than he can handle will go to Maya.
Then a mutual friend proposes that Nick improve the marriage in order to end it amicably, because the better father and husband he is, the more self-sufficient Maya becomes and the cheaper his pay-out will be at the end.

But as Nick sets out to be a better man, he starts to feel like one. Time with his kids, dinners with his wife, fewer hours in the office has the strange effect of making him happier. As Maya starts to feel appreciated by her husband again, she starts to blossom, to unclench her fists from the parenting reins and start to do things for herself.

Nick and Maya feel like they are falling back in love. How odd, how funny, how serendipitous. But if Maya knew what had promoted this marital metamorphosis? Then it would be war.

A BETTER MAN is the story of a modern marriage on the rocks, how we constantly change in and out of relationships, and the price of love.

I admittedly did not get far into this book.. but it was just so distasteful and horrible. I've read narratives about unhappy marriages before but this one is so... dire. This book is only 320 pages long but I read about 100 before setting it down for good. I rated this one 1-star even though I didn't finish because it was just that much of a disconnect in that short of time.


The Heartbreakers by Ali Novak

"When I met Oliver Perry, I had no clue he was the lead singer for The Heartbreakers. And he had no idea that I was the only girl in the world who hated his music."

Stella will do anything for her sick sister, Cara—even stand in line for an autographed Heartbreakers CD...for four hours. She's totally winning best birthday gift this year. At least she met a cute boy with soft brown hair and gorgeous blue eyes while getting her caffeine fix. Too bad she'll never see him again.

Except, Stella's life has suddenly turned into a cheesy love song. Because Starbucks Boy is Oliver Perry – lead singer for the Heartbreakers. And even after she calls his music crap, Oliver still gives Stella his phone number. And whispers quotes from her favorite Disney movie in her ear. OMG, what is her life?

But how can Stella even think about being with Oliver — dating and laughing and pulling pranks with the band — when her sister could be dying of cancer? 

Holy crap was this this novel predictable and blah. I thought it might be too cutesy and I was right. The premise skews a bit twee for me but I had heard good word of mouth.  However, I could predict the love interest, the inherent mixup and then romance as soon as the first walked into the book. I read maybe three chapters, and the end. I was right. This is just not the type of contemporary YA I am drawn to.


Ice Like Fire by Sara Raasch

 It’s been three months since the Winterians were freed and Spring’s king, Angra, disappeared—thanks largely to the help of Cordell.

Meira just wants her people to be safe. When Cordellan debt forces the Winterians to dig their mines for payment, they unearth something powerful and possibly dangerous: Primoria’s lost chasm of magic. Theron sees this find as an opportunity—with this much magic, the world can finally stand against threats like Angra. But Meira fears the danger the chasm poses—the last time the world had access to so much magic, it spawned the Decay. So when the king of Cordell orders the two on a mission across the kingdoms of Primoria to discover the chasm’s secrets, Meira plans to use the trip to garner support to keep the chasm shut and Winter safe—even if it means clashing with Theron. But can she do so without endangering the people she loves?

Mather just wants to be free. The horrors inflicted on the Winterians hang fresh and raw in Januari—leaving Winter vulnerable to Cordell’s growing oppression. When Meira leaves to search for allies, he decides to take Winter’s security into his own hands. Can he rebuild his broken kingdom and protect them from new threats?

As the web of power and deception weaves tighter, Theron fights for magic, Mather fights for freedom—and Meira starts to wonder if she should be fighting not just for Winter, but for the world.

The two stars I gave this novel pains me; it pains me as much as the fact that it took me weeks to get through the 55% percent I managed before throwing in the towel. I enjoyed the series debut last year but the sequel is a plodding mess driven by dull characters acting out a tired dynamic. It draaags and it's a long book. The premise wears really thin and makes even less sense once it's revisited in a second novel. I just.. couldn't.

Review: Mistletoe and Mr. Right by Lyla Payne

Title: Mistletoe and Mr. Right: Two Stories of Holiday Romance
Author: Lyla Payne
Genre: New Adult
Series: none
Pages: 368
Published: November 20th, 2014
Source: borrowed library
Rating: 4/5

In "Mistletoe and Mr. Right," Jessica (not Jessie) takes a flying leap and follows her boyfriend home for the holidays for Christmas break, sure that Ireland will provide the perfect backdrop to the beginning of their happily ever after. But it turns out his family--and his gorgeous ex-girlfriend--don't feel the same way, and the only person making the trip worthwhile is the local farmhand, who has a way of showing up when Jessica needs him most . . . and least.

The holiday hijinks continue in "Sleigh Bells and Second Chances," when Jessica's best friend makes her own way across the pond! Christina Lake does not want to be away at Christmas, but it's her duty to babysit one of London's hottest bands at their last-minute concert on Christmas Eve . . . even though she had a fling with Cary, the band's lead singer, that never officially ended. Now forced to reconnect, Christina is starting to think that maybe London is exactly where she's supposed to be to get the perfect New Year's kiss--at least until she finds out that he's been lying the whole time. Can Cary find a way to prove himself before the clock strikes twelve? Or will the New Year ring in a new romance?

Lyla Payne wraps up two perfect holiday novellas, ties them with a ribbon of romance, and tops them with a light dusting of snow. Perfect to curl up with under the tree. Just add hot cocoa!

Mistletoe and Mr. Right - 3.5 stars

Jessica, a straight-laced journalism student with an airtight ten year plan, follows her boyfriend of four months back to his tiny Irish town for Christmas. Brennan, rather than being delighted by her surprise, seems more interested in hanging out with his ex-girlfriend and drinking at the local pub. The family finds Jessica abrasive, and worse, Scottish. Not to mention the fact that she ran over their goat.

At the end of every one of Jessica's attempts to win over the family is Grady, their smart-mouthed farm hand. His chemistry with Jessica is far more palpable than her's with Brennan, which makes the eventual ending pretty clear.

Jessica's scrapes are squirmy and embarrassing rather than funny and most of them don't stand up to scrutiny. Anaphylaxis does not happen hours after you eat nutmeg, certainly not to the extent that you'd need an epi-pen. (Which you should then go to the hospital after using, not go home and go to bed?) And if Brennan's father was SO allergic, why would Grady buy the spice for Jessica? He lives and eats with the family, this is a thing he would know. Likewise, the breakdown over an (unused) pregnancy test is bizarre. A misunderstanding leads Brennan's ex to think Jessica might be pregnant, but she lashes out at the wrong person and claims it's a cruel joke to play considering her situation. I found it a very odd scene and there could have been a more reasonable way to reveal Katie's secret.

Still, I did like the hero and heroine and how they ended up together. The sleigh scene is very cute and gave me the appropriately fluffy Christmas feelings. I didn't dislike the story, just wish it had come together in a bit neater way.

Sleigh Bells and Second Chances - 4 stars

The second novella picks up a year later, with a much more relaxed Jessie visiting her beau in Ireland while her roommate, Chris, pursues a great internship opportunity in London. Chris is in PR and her boss has assigned her to a week of babysitting the hottest band on the planet so their usual PR rep can go home for the holidays. Only problem? Chris and the lead singer, Cary, have history.

I thought this story was far better than the first. It was less predictable and Chris' tragic backstory was woven in more seamlessly than Jess'. Mistletoe is also as spicy as a bell pepper compared to Sleigh Bells' jalapeno. I liked Chris' family dynamic and the fact that not everything revolved around the romance. I liked seeing a newly relaxed Jessica show up to support her.

That doesn't mean it's perfect. The last minute big mis was a big miss. It combined one too many elements and the bitchy best friend revealing seeeeecrets isn't particularly interesting, especially when he has a change of heart two chapters later. I really could have done without the jealous girl fighting from Violet as well.

Still, the two novellas combined for a nice New Adult Christmas story that I enjoyed.

Review: Covenant's End by Ari Marmell

Title: Covenant's End
Author: Ari Marmell
Genre: fantasy
Series: Widdershins Adventures #1
Pages: 271
Published: February 2015
Source: purchased
Rating: 4/5

The thief Widdershins and her own "personal god," Olgun, return to their home city of Davillon after almost a year away. While Shins expects only to face the difficulty of making up with her friends, what she actually finds is far, far worse. Her nemesis, Lisette, has returned, and she is not alone. Lisette has made a dark pact with supernatural powers that have granted her abilities far greater than anything Widdershins and Olgun can match.

Together, Widdershins and Olgun will face enemies on both sides of the law, for Lisette's schemes have given her power in both Davillon's government and its underworld. For even a slim chance, Shins must call on both old friends--some of whom haven't yet forgiven her--and new allies.

Even with their help, Widdershins may be required to make the hardest sacrifice of her life, if she is to rid Davillon--and herself--of Lisette once and for all.

It's a smart author that knows when a good thing has run its course. Though I have thoroughly enjoyed all four books with these characters and gods, Ari Marmell ends his series in good form and with ample resolution for all involved and does so before the series had overstayed its welcome.Though it did feel just a bit rushed at the end, Covenant's End was a really satisfying conclusion for Widdershins and for fans. I finished it satisfied and knowing I want more from this author in this world. Perhaps an Evrard series with cameos from Adrienne and Renard? A Robin-and-Faustine trilogy (also YES to lesbians in YA fantasy!)? Yes, please, to all of that.

Widdershins' adversary is familiar from the books before and less overtly supernatural than her previous foes, if no less dangerous. Widdershins is at top form for nearly all the novel; her trademark wit and banter are evident and no less cutting this time around. Covenant's End has new trials and issues for poor Widdershins to overcome, but it is really the interpersonal relationships at the heart of the story that drive the novel. Shins has once again made mistakes and she has more than just evil to fix in Davillion after her stay away.

Though these books have each been less than three hundred pages for each novel, Marmell has created quite the varied and interesting world for a fantasy series with a mysterious thief as the main character. Each book has its own plot, antagonist, and resolution and Covenant's End is no different from its three predecessors. This finale feels much more... final. There's still room left in this world to explore but Marmell has pretty neatly ended the relationship that powered the series.  It's a fitting and timely end.

This clever series is one that started out strong and only got better from there. The Widdershins show has been consistently engaging, always original, and vast amounts of fun to read. I rarely feel so content wrapping up a fantasy series but Marmell has pulled it off here. Covenant's End is an authentic and believable end for all that came before it. I will miss this world and these characters and plan to keep pushing it on friends and watch for what the author does next.

 

Early December Book Haul

It really is the end of 2015. I am still in shock over that, but I am also looking foward to 2016 so much, guys. I am going to be so organized. I'm going to BEA. It's going to be an excellent year! But I still have some awesome to share from 2015....


Sent:

The Secrets of Lizzie Borden by Brandy Purdy - thank you HFVBT!

In her enthralling, richly imagined new novel, Brandy Purdy, author of The Ripper’s Wife, creates a compelling portrait of the real, complex woman behind an unthinkable crime. Lizzie Borden should be one of the most fortunate young women in Fall River, Massachusetts. Her wealthy father could easily afford to provide his daughters with fashionable clothes, travel, and a rich, cultured life. Instead, haunted by the ghost of childhood poverty, he forces Lizzie and her sister, Emma, to live frugally, denying them the simplest modern conveniences. Suitors and socializing are discouraged, as her father views all gentleman callers as fortune hunters. 

Lonely and deeply unhappy, Lizzie stifles her frustration, dreaming of the freedom that will come with her eventual inheritance. But soon, even that chance of future independence seems about to be ripped away. And on a stifling August day in 1892, Lizzie’s long-simmering anger finally explodes… Vividly written and thought-provoking, The Secrets of Lizzie Borden explores the fascinating events behind a crime that continues to grip the public imagination—a story of how thwarted desires and desperate rage could turn a dutiful daughter into a notorious killer.

Burning by Danielle Rollins -- thank you Bloomsbury!

Orange is the New Black gets a unique YA twist in this creepy story of the darkness that dwells in each of us.

After three years in juvie, Angela Davis is just a few months shy of release, and she'll finally be free from the hole that is Brunesfield Correctional Facility. Then Jessica arrives. Only ten years old and under the highest security possible, this girl has to be dangerous, even if no one knows what she did to land in juvie. As strange things begin happening to Angela and her friends that can only be traced to the new girl's arrival, it becomes clear that Brunesfield is no longer safe. They must find a way to get out, but how can they save themselves when the world has forgotten them?

Readers will be rooting for Angela and her friends to find the truth and save themselves in this spine-tingling story rich with secrets and conspiracies.

and most recently:


The Rule of Mirrors by Caragh M. O'Brien (Vault of Dreamers #2) --- thank you Macmillan!

The fast-paced, psychologically thrilling sequel to The Vault of Dreamers follows Rosie after her consciousness has been split in two.

The entire country was watching when Rosie Sinclair was expelled from Forge, the prestigious arts school that doubles as a reality TV show. But few know how Dean Berg was mining students' dreams in laboratories deep below the school. And no one, least of all the Dean himself, knows that when Rosie's dreams were seeded into the mind of another patient, Rosie's consciousness woke up in that body--a girl far from Forge, a girl with a completely different life from Rosie, a girl who is pregnant.

Told from alternating points of view between Rosie as she makes sense of her new identity and the shattered subconscious that still exists in her old body, this sequel to The Vault of Dreamers will keep readers on the edge of their seats and leave them hungry for more.

Bought:

I didn't go too book crazy but those I did pick up were from gift cards and preorders finally coming out! I am really excited about this small haul.

My first try at #socksunday - with constellation socks, even! #todaysread is After I Do by Taylor Jenkins Reid (with a bookmark of me and my husband at a friend's wedding.) 👰🏼💍📖• •#bookstagram #instabook #igreads #igbooks #bookish #bookcover #reader #bibliophile

A photo posted by Jessie Hall (@jypsyhowl) on Dec 6, 2015 at 7:08am PST

Sent  from the flawless wonder that is Gaby:

 

A signed and personalized copy of Their Fractured Light by Amie Kaufman and Meagan Spooner!!!! I cannot believe that this series is ending. It's been so much fun; I'm really going to miss it! 

Thank you Gaby! <3


Kindle Daily Deal:

Serpentine by Cindy Pon 

Serpentine is a sweeping fantasy set in the ancient Kingdom of Xia and inspired by the rich history of Chinese mythology.

Lush with details from Chinese folklore, Serpentine tells the coming of age story of Skybright, a young girl who worries about her growing otherness. As she turns sixteen, Skybright notices troubling changes. By day, she is a companion and handmaid to the youngest daughter of a very wealthy family. But nighttime brings with it a darkness that not even daybreak can quell.

When her plight can no longer be denied, Skybright learns that despite a dark destiny, she must struggle to retain her sense of self – even as she falls in love for the first time.

This was on sale and has had some really excellent reviews. I could not resist a kindle daily deal for it last week. 

Any new books for you guys? Any advice on what to read once I finish After I Do? I'm thinking Their Fractured Light might be the answer! 

Top Ten Tuesday: Top Ten New-To-Me Favorite Authors I Read For The First Time In 2015

1. Melina Marchetta

January was all Marchetta all the time. In one month, I devoured Saving Francesca, The Piper's Son, and Finnikin of the Rock. But the real, cementing read was Jellicoe Road in March, when Marchetta bought part of my soul. (I need to finish the Lumatere Chronicles like, asap.)

2. V.E. Schwab

I'm ashamed to say I own The Archived (and also I didn't put together that Victoria and V.E. are the same? ???) and Vicious has been on my TBR for two years and I didn't read a word by Schwab until all of my friends went googoo for A Darker Shade of Magic in March. Now I kind of want to throw myself at her feet?

3. Matt Fraction

I was never an Avengers fan until the MCU came onto the scene, and even after three movies, I just can't find it in myself to care about Hawkeye.

Hawkguy, however. The MarvelNow imprint is absolutely amazing. You should definitely be reading these.

4. Ilona Andrews

Urban fantasy. We've had a rocky road. I liked Harris for longer than I probably should have. I'm enjoying Briggs. But Andrews and Kate Daniels really stole my heart. It doesn't hurt that I enjoy the audiobooks quite a lot and my library has them all. So while I work on spreadsheets, Kate works on killing everything with a pulse. And I like that.

5. Susanna Kearsley

The gold standard in timeslip for 20 years for a reason.

6. Rainbow Rowell

This is a tough one to put on the list, because I know Landline isn't necessarily representative of Rowell's work. But damn it was good. I have Fangirl on my Kindle and even if they're not similar, I'm way more willing to give it a chance now.

7. Leah Raeder

I read Cam Girl in one emotion-filled plane ride. Which, btw, I do not recommend when you get to the sex scenes. I have a few quibbles, but this book is a revelation and I can't believe I didn't read Black Iris last year with everyone else.

8. Emery Lord

I read the description and was like, "I'm sorry, this is Taylor Swift/Nick Jonas fanfiction?" And yeah, it kind of is. It's also the best, funniest contemporary I've read in a long time. Gimme her next book.

9. Leigh Bardugo

OH MY GOD THIS BOOK.

I have the first two Grisha books. I actually won a gorgeous UK copy of the second and I'VE NEVER OPENED IT. BUT THIS BOOK YOU GUYS. HAVE YOU READ IT?

10. Seanan McGuire

Seanan may be cheating a little bit, because I am quite familiar with her pen name, Mira Grant. However, the two are separated very clearly stylistically, so I'm going with this.  Seanan was a late in the year discovery, a belated Halloween read, but I've already got quite a TBR list for next year.

Two Minute Review: Da Vinci's Tiger by L.M. Elliott

Title: Da Vinci's Tiger
Author: L.M. Elliott
Genre: historical fiction
Series: N/A
Pages: 304
Published: Nov 10 2015
Source: publishers via edelweiss
Rating: 2.5/5

Young, beautiful, and witty, Ginevra de’ Benci longs to take part in the artistic ferment of Renaissance Florence. But as the daughter of a wealthy family in a society dictated by men, she is trapped in an arranged marriage, expected to limit her creativity to domestic duties. Her poetry reveals her deepest feelings, and she aches to share her work, to meet painters and sculptors mentored by the famed Lorenzo de Medici, and to find love.

When the charismatic Venetian ambassador, Bernardo Bembo, arrives in Florence, he introduces Ginevra to a dazzling circle of patrons, artists, and philosophers—a world of thought and conversation she has yearned for. She is instantly attracted to the handsome newcomer, who admires her mind as well as her beauty. Yet Ginevra remains conflicted about his attentions. Choosing her as his Platonic muse, Bembo commissions a portrait by a young Leonardo da Vinci. Posing for the brilliant painter inspires an intimate connection between them—one Ginevra can only begin to understand. In a rich and enthralling world of exquisite art, elaborate feasts, and exhilarating jousts, she faces many temptations to discover her voice, artistic companionship, and a love that defies categorization. In the end, she and Leonardo are caught up in a dangerous and deadly battle between powerful families.

I wanted to love this, I really did. And Da Vinci's Tiger is a good example of why reading is subjective and no one really can predict what will work and what won't. I can tell you that this is well-drawn, interesting story with a fresh POV and yet.. I just didn't connect to the plot or to Ginevra herself. I can admire what the story did well but on the whole, it all feels rather familiar and been-there-read-that. 

The details and descriptions in this are superb. The place as character is fantastic and the visuals pop no matter what happening. But....the plot is somewhat predictable and the characters aren't as defined as they could be. Still, if you liked Katherine Longshore's YA historical fictions set in England, this is not a bad place to look, tone-wise. It's historical fiction-lite and just not as nuanced or creative enough to be very memorable.

Ginevra's one remaining line of poetry "I beg your pardon, I am a mountain tiger" is good but maybe not enough to base a book upon. I like the premise of Da Vinci's Tiger but the execution was too blunt and too predicable.

Backlist Series Review: Original Shannara trilogy by Terry Brooks

Titles: The Sword of Shannara, 
The Elfstones of Shannara, 
and The Wishsong of Shannara
Author: Terry Brooks
Genre: fantasy
Series: Original Shannara trilogy #1-3
Pages: SoS: 726
EoS: 636
WoS: 544
Published: SoS in 1977
EoS in 1983
WoS in 1987
Source: purchased
Rating: SoS: 2/5
EoS: 5/5
WoS 4/5.

Long ago, wars of ancient Evil ruined the world and forced mankind to compete with many other races - gnomes, trolls, dwarfs, and elves. In peaceful Shady Vale, half-elfin Shea Ohmsford knows little of such troubles until giant, forbidding Allanon, with strange Druidic powers, reveals a supposedly-dead Warlock Lord plots to destroy the world.

The sole weapon against this Power of Darkness is the Sword of Shannara, only usable by a true heir of Shannara. On Shea, last of the bloodline, rests the hope of all the races. Soon a Skull Bearer, dread minion of Evil, flies into the Vale to kill Shea. To save the Vale, Shea flees, drawing the Skull Bearer after him.

The Shannara books are a staple for fantasy fans that grew up in the eighties and nineties. Though The Sword of Shannara is the most generic and ... obviously inspired...  by Lord of the Rings, they soon break from the bland established mold and become creative, well-drawn, immersive reads. Brooks is an author that is adequate at plotting, but excells in worldbuilding and in characterization. As the series continue in Elfstones and Wishsong, those two aspects become the major selling point and the reason he could launch so many spin-off and sequel series from these three novels. 

I won't say much about the first book because it honestly merits little thought and makes little impact on its own. It's very generic, very much a debut, and very clearly, as I said earlier, inspired by the major fantasy novels that preceded it. The plot and the general aspects are not very original in The Sword of Shannara but there are original characters that go on to have influences and descendants on the later books and series. For a first time reader of the series I wouldn't go as far as to say it can be skipped, but it can be skimmed when it veers too boring or repetitive. 

Elfstones of Shannara is the series second book and where Brooks really shows his abilities as a fantasy author. The world shown in book one is expanded and built upon. (It's a post-apocalyptic Earth with evolved races like elves*, trolls, gnomes, Mwellrets, and more. It's smart without being smug.) The author uses and reinvents some creatures we have seen before, like the Furies, a Reaper,  but also invents a myriad of his own that are creepy, effective, memorable, and totally original (Dagda Mor, Changeling - dear christ THE CHANGELING). The lore of this often wartorn world -- the Ellcrys, the details on the world before -- is also expanded in a way that makes sense and provides a much more engaging and fresh plot for the story.

As much as I appreciated Brooks stepping it up in the plot and worldbuilding department for book two, the characters are what truly make Elfstones (and later Wishsong) such favorites of mine. Shannara is a world of ships, OTPs, and all-time favorite characters for me; it's what I love the most and remember most vividly. The people created are vast, disparate, unique, sympathetic, or unknowable; Brooks can craft a hero, an antihero, a confused girl equally well. Wil and Amberle from Elfstones pretty much introduced me to ships and OTPs. Crispin and his Elven hunters were as real to me as Allanon. 

Wishsong takes what Elfstones really began to show and fleshes out the world even more, though in a shorter amount of pages. The plots in each book center on different parts of the world and showcase Brooks' talent for setting and worldbuilding. Wil's kids are the main characters here, and again, their skillful characterization is the highpoint of the novel. Brin (daughter) and Jair (son) also get a new form of magic -- another that is more original and useful than the standard for the first two. Brooks doesn't get lazy with plotting - while the stakes and tension aren't as high as in Elfstones - this journey for these characters is more personal. This was another book that boasts shippy goodness and great chatracters; Rone and Brin are OTP but let's be real, I start the book counting down the pages until Garet Jax appears.

The original series concludes on a strong note. The Sword of Shannara is a bland novel; one that seems exhaustive at over 700 pages. However, the rest of the series that springs from it is more than  worth the time and investment if you're into complex worlds, interesting conflicts, and well-drawn characters.  Brooks is one of fantasy's most prolific and long-running authors. Shannara is widely-explored world and one that is always fun to revisit. I've read the first book twice (once as a teen and again for this review + the upcoming show) but I've read the second two about four times each. I reread them for fresh eyes on the MTV show but it just lead me to rebuy and reread the series after it.*

*there's later Shannara canon that goes on to differentiate how the elves exist/always existed in this world but it's pretty in-world and not relevant here. I just put this disclaimer for any super Shannara fans (are there any of you besides me??) that come at me for being wrong. 
*that's the four-book Heritage of Shannara series and I will try to review it in January because I WANT TO