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Bearers of the Black Staff: Legends of Shannara Audiobook
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(3.01) - 3,432 listener ratings
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For more than three decades, New York Times bestselling author Terry Brooks has ruled the epic fantasy realm with his legendary Shannara series. With each new novel the mythos has deepened, ever more fascinating characters have arisen, and increasingly breathtaking vistas of magical adventure have emerged. Now the evolution of one of imaginative fiction’s most beloved worlds continues in the first book of the new series Legends of Shannara: Bearers of the Black Staff. Five hundred years have passed since the devastating demon-led war that tore apart the United States, leaving nothing but scorched and poisoned ruins, and nearly exterminating humankind. Those who escaped the carnage and blight were led to sanctuary by the boy savior known as the Hawk—the gypsy morph. In an idyllic valley, its borders warded by powerful magic against the horrors beyond, humans, elves, and mutants alike found a place they believed would be their home forever. But after five centuries, the unimaginable has come to pass: The cocoon of protective magic surrounding the valley has vanished. When Sider Ament, the only surviving descendant of the Knights of the Word, detects unknown predators stalking the valley, he fears the worst. And when Panterra Qu and Prue Liss, expert Trackers from the human village of Glensk Wood, find two of their own gruesomely killed, there can be no doubt: The once safe haven of generations has been laid bare and made vulnerable to whatever still lurks in the wasteland of the outside world. Together, Ament, the two young Trackers, and a daring Elf princess race to spread word of the encroaching danger—and spearhead plans to defend their ancestral home. But suspicion and hostility among their countrymen threaten to doom their efforts from within—while beyond the breached borders, a ruthless Troll army masses for invasion. And in the thick of it all, the last wielder of the black staff and its awesome magic must find a successor to carry on the fight against the cresting new wave of evil.
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"Yes I do think that Terry Brooks is the master of modern fantasy as it claims on the front cover of this book. He gives you heroes that you can totally believe in and adventures that you really do find hard to put down. This latest in his Shannara novels is another masterpiece of the genre with truly memorable characters in Sider Ament, Dedalion Inch, Panterra Qu, Prue Liss, Aislinne Kay and the elven princess Prynne Amarantyne. I'm really looking forward to reading the conclusion of this story in The Measure of the Magic."
— Winnie (4 out of 5 stars)
Bearers of the Black Staff Listener Reviews
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" Terry created a wonderful world with interesting plots but it's a pity he sticks to the same formula with the 'good' characters being so thick sometimes you could slap them. And the characters I do really like always die lol "
— Farzana, 2/19/2014 -
" This book was a good mixture of fantasy and sci-fi, and man what a cliff-hanger to end on! "
— Rebecca, 2/5/2014 -
" Loved it. I wish I didn't have to wait a year to read the next one. "
— Mary, 2/1/2014 -
" As usual Terry Brooks has written another fantasy winner. This book commences 5 centuries after the 'Great Wars' have ended in total devastation of the land and a remnant, led by the Hawk (a gypsy moth who has taken on the form of a boy), has been sealed by magic mists into a valley for protection from the nuclear devastation. Now the walls of mist that have warded the valley are down and the valley inhabitants are in danger. I highly recommend the book for anyone who likes fantasy and especially Terry Brook fans. "
— Lynn, 2/1/2014 -
" Once again it was great to be plunged back into the world of Shannara with the first of this two part series. Set when the protective wall has disintegrated between the elves and men in the valley, we see how the events of the past have affected the land and the way it has shaped the beliefs of the humans in the valley. I'm always struck by how much the landscape is such an integral part of the stories and always fond of the characters that populate it. "
— Kay, 1/25/2014 -
" Please see my review of the second book in this duology! "
— Chris, 1/15/2014 -
" More of what we have come to expect from Terry Brooks. It is nice to expect something good from a favorite author and then not be disappointed when you spend the time and money for yet another journey. Not entirely new, but definitely worth the time to read. "
— Sheldon, 12/31/2013 -
" I love this series always have always will. "
— Sarah, 12/29/2013 -
" Loved this one it was a little different than the authors usual plot in most of his other books. "
— Lex, 12/17/2013 -
" Terry Brooks strikes again, another excellent addition to the Shannara mythos. "
— Gene, 12/8/2013 -
" Have to love Terry Brooks. He can write fantasy with the best of them. Some people claim that he's repeating himself, however, it's just that he has a formula and uses it well. I can't wait until the next book comes out in August! "
— Jeremy, 12/3/2013 -
" Another saga not impressed with but provides insight following the other sagas "
— Vampiress_demitri, 11/2/2013 -
" I can't wait to read the next one in this series. "
— David, 10/11/2013 -
" Excellent as usual. Looking forward to the conclusion. "
— Hank, 8/27/2013 -
" Vintage Terry Brooks, much less Tolkeinesque if that's a word, than his earlier books. Progression of the early Shannara world and the bridge between post apocalyptic earth and Shannara. Enjoyed it, but cliffhanger ending again, glad I had the next one ready to go! "
— Nancy, 5/18/2013 -
" It got better as I went through it. It had been a while since I'd read a Shanara book. It is interesting how Terry Brooks whole mythology does come together... "
— Pam, 4/22/2013 -
" a continuation of the Shannarra series. "
— Peggy, 4/18/2013 -
" I have always been a fan of Terry Brooks, ever since I read the Sword of Shannara. This book was another excellent read. I couldn't put it down until I got to the last page, which of course made me want to read the next book. Unfortunately, I had to wait a year, but it was worth it. "
— Cheryl, 1/23/2013 -
" What can I say, Terry Brooks was my first fantasy love from my early teens and I still dig what he does and how he does it. "
— Robert, 5/3/2012 -
" One of the best Shannara books in a while, a little faster paced than the usual Brooks writing style. Great read "
— Dustin, 8/22/2011 -
" not much of an ending in the book. Would have prefered it ended in some kind of wrap up. "
— Brenda, 7/26/2011 -
" This is typical Brooks fare, which I like but take it as you will. If you haven't read any Brooks yet you must not read fantasy. "
— Jimjoebob, 6/27/2011 -
" I can't wait to read the next one in this series. "
— David, 5/10/2011 -
" As always the fanatasy world of of Terry Brook's was engrossing and thrilling. The pace of the book however I found staggared and only gained worthwile momentum within the last 20 pages, as part of a duology the book certainly leaves you wanting more. "
— Sharon, 5/5/2011 -
" I am a fan of Terry Brooks', and I liked all his novels. The element that I prefer is the environment. Brooks manages to bring the reader inside his world and feel it. Unfortunately I was not very font of the characters this time. "
— Robi, 4/15/2011 -
" Start of a new series. Should be good. "
— doug, 4/8/2011 -
" Loved this one it was a little different than the authors usual plot in most of his other books. "
— Lex, 3/21/2011 -
" Another great Terry Brooks! Can't wait for more!! - DOE "
— Cool, 3/7/2011 -
" Another saga not impressed with but provides insight following the other sagas "
— Vampiress_demitri, 2/27/2011 -
" This is the first of the Shannara series that I read. It was a good way to get back into fantasy fiction, which I have been missing lately. Fun and interesting premise and good characters. I will enjoy tracking down the rest of the series. "
— Jamaica, 2/12/2011 -
" A slow starter for me that didn't really get my attention until the last 50 or so pages. But I'm sure the massive amount of set-up in the first book will yield great story in the next installment of the series. Full of what Brooks does best, including the cliffhanger ending! "
— Jennifer, 2/11/2011 -
" loved it, but I love all the shannara books! "
— Heather, 2/7/2011 -
" Excellent first part of a trilogy! I am dying to read book number two! "
— Christiane, 2/4/2011 -
" This is just one book in a number of series tying the Word & void series together with the Shannara series. Terry Brooks in my opinion is an incredible author and to have him tie these to story lines together is a great work in itself. I highly recommend all of his works. "
— Steve, 2/3/2011
About Terry Brooks
Terry Brooks has thrilled readers for decades with his powers of imagination and storytelling. He is the author of more than thirty books, most of which have been New York Times bestsellers. He is a recipient of the 2017 World Fantasy Association’s Life Achievement Award. His novels Running with the Demon and A Knight of the Word were chosen by the Rocky Mountain News as two of the best fantasy novels of the twentieth century.
About Phil Gigante
Phil Gigante has narrated more than two hundred audiobooks, earning ten AudioFile Earphones Awards and three of the prestigious Audie Awards for best narration. An actor, director, and producer with over twenty years of experience in theater, film, television, and radio, he is currently the artistic director of Gigantic Productions and Little Giant Children’s Theatre.