Ever since I started this feature I've had a myriad of character from Terry Brooks' Shannara series running through my head vying for consideration. Would I pick Shea for the way he is able to grow in confidence and work his way through all the doubts to win the day? Would I go with Allanon, who has to be one of the most stoic but in the end lovealbe characters in all fantasy? Maybe one of the Leahs for their loyalty and friendship would have been a good choice. In the end I've decided on Brin Ohmsford from The Wishsong of Shannara.
Brin starts off as a young lady who plays with magic in the way that a toddler will play with a rubber duck in the bathtub. It's something fun, it's not to be taken seriously, it doesn't have any serious ramifications, it's childsplay. That's what she thinks anyway. Little does she know that her power of the Wishsong will save the world once again from the evils that threaten the races. The Wishsong alone is enough to qualify her for a FFC post. With her magic, she is able to control nature, through song. Through wishing for it, she can sing a tree through it's life cycles within minutes. Leaves changing from green to brown, then falling off all within a few seconds, over and over again. There is almost no limit to what her magic can accomplish.
When the Duid Allanon shows up to take her with him on a quest to destroy a book that is evil as it is sentient, she isn't sure she should go. She doesn't see how she would be able to help or even if she wants to help. Throughout the journey her power and her sense of self are tested to the harshest limits, and she comes out on top. She rejects all the self doubts and insecurities, she fights off the growing corruption that using her magic allows into her. Watching her grow from a naive young woman into an intelligent and strong woman is a wonderful pleasure to read.
For those of you unfamiliar with The Shannara books, I would strongly urge you to pick them up and discover for yourself some of the best written characters in fantasy.
7 comments:
This makes me want to read the series all the more. I'm planning on starting it this year so I can discover the pleasure for myself.
Sorry I haven't been around lately. I'm finishing up the semester (thank God!) and I came down with strep throat this past weekend. I'm still not 100%, even after starting antibiotics on Monday.
We had to postpone the chat because of my being sick. We will pick it up next week with Chptrs 8-11. Have you been reading it? It's really good!
Well, take care. TTYL. =O)
My hubby loves the Shannara books, but I haven't tried them.
I haven't read these books, but you make them sound very fascinating.
Thanks for sharing!
I've never read any of the Shannara books. I think I really need to now.
Great choice! Although everyone these days seems to be down on Terry Brooks, and other authors of such classic fantasies, I think these books will never go out of style. The characters might not be as complex as in the more modern fantasy books, but they are still wonderfully drawn and memorable.
Now I am going to have to go pick these up off the shelf and read them too. :) I am really starting to get in trouble with these books. I have so many books to read and want to read... all at once! I read the first book in the trilogy, but have to get to the other 2. Thanks for a great pick this week. Very dangerous posts! :)
One of my favourite series of books, (Brin being one of my favourite characters). I have indulged myself in the wonderful world of Shannara and i must say the world is wonderful, as you read the books you find yourself, caring for the characters and what happens to them, what choices they will make, if what they do will have the effect on the world that they all hope. I have laughed and cried and felt as though i know these people. Some of the losses through the books have been a shock, some not so. Anyone who has never picked up a Terry Brooks book and likes the fantasy genre really should, though be warned once picked up, you best cancel anything else because putting them down is so hard.
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