The third out of four final (chronological) books in the Shannara series, The Stiehl Assassin keeps things moving towards the conclusion, in the usual Terry Brooks style - great characters, crisp writing and magic galore!

I normally love the Shannara books and have literally read them all. I made a few attempts to read this book but I just couldn't connect with it at all. I'm not sure if I've maybe just outgrown the series or maybe i'll need to come back to it another time. There's no sense in writing a full review about a book that just fundamentally wasn't something I enjoyed. Review not posted anywhere else.

I was really happy to receive this from the publishers via netgalley. This is the third book in the current series of The Fall of Shannara from one of my favourite fantasy authors. Paranor has materialised once again. Drisker Arc has now succeeded in returning the Druids Keep and freed himself from the guardian’s defence magic at great cost to himself aided by his connection to Tarsha Kaynin. This has foiled the plans of the traitorous Clizia Porse who caused the death of most of the Druid order and banishment of the keep who aligned herself with Princess Ajin and the advance force of the Skaar invaders. The result of which did not go well for Ajin as her father the King sent her back to her homeland, not perhaps the best outcome for Ajin, however fate or destiny can always intervene.
Clizia is no quitter and is determined to rid herself of the obstacle to her plans Drisker Arc by using any means.The Steihl is a deadly weapon that Clizia extracted from the keep. Clizia has given the Steihl into the hands of Tarsha’s currently very unstable brother Tavo as a means to kill Drisker as he exits the keep. Best laid plans that’s all I’m saying.
Once again the Four Lands is riven with mistrust between the different races. As to be expected Terry Brooks manages to juggle various scenarios happening in different places within his well constructed world simultaneously. The characters are well portrayed likeable or not and interesting to see the reappearance of Grianne Ohmsford still trapped in the Forbidding. I’m sure she will play a bigger part in what is yet to come. Hope that doesn’t count as a spoiler.
I have to say from all the traps of Paranor to the airships, battles and magic users it is all in the details. Only problem I find I wish these were longer however over all the years of reading them the series can only be termed as epic.

Thankyou to NetGalley, Little, Brown Book Group, Orbit and the author, Terry Brooks, for the opportunity to read a digital copy of The Stiehl Assassin in exchange for an honest and unbiased opinion.
What an incredible read. I have enjoyed every book written in the Shannara series. This book was no exception.
Mr Brooks has developed an incredible series with intriguing characters, descriptive imagery and a fascinating storyline that keeps you swept away.
Well worth a read.

This series of books has spanned many years if not decades and I must be honest I thought the series had already ended …….. imagine my delight to find that there are four more books to the conclusion of Shannara
Reading the previous books are essential to understand not just the world building but also the characters and their interactions .

The Stiehl Assassin brings you back into a world where magic has taken the place of technology and features dwarves and druids, sword and sorcery and a multitude of characters .
The worldbuilding is superb , the characters complex and the storyline flows as precisely as all the previous books ……….. drawing the reader into this world , investing you in the individual characters stories and the outcomes of each personal journey .

This fantasy has been superb all along and I await the "final" ? book with impatience ………… whilst I am waiting I will start the series all over again and immerse in this world once more .

I was given an ARC of this book by Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Perspectives on The Shannara series tend to fall into two distinct categories: those who are beyond excited that we are getting a four-part conclusion to this four-decades-old epic fantasy masterpiece and those who believe it is too drawn out and peeved they'll have to purchase all four books containing the conclusion and feel it should've been only one novel as most are; some are of the opinion that Brooks's lengthening of the series is for monetary gain (and to be fair, aren't most books about profit in some sense?) as this is a superb fantasy, but I must admit I fall on the hyped side of the fence and couldn't wait to dive into this. I don't feel we should be complaining about receiving more from Brooks's most enduring, bestselling world.

The Stiehl Assassin is a classic fantasy in every sense of the word. Of course, it's essential to have read the previous books in order to understand what is going on. Brooks's worldbuilding is truly second to none. The intricacy is astonishing and will blow you away; this is the pinnacle of fantasy creation. You are pulled into the story from the start and I abandoned everything in favour of finishing this as I had to know what happened but knowing that this is not the full conclusion I was concerned that the presumable cliffhanger would leave me a little irked, however, I needn't have worried as Mr Brooks knows how to set-up the next novel whilst making it an ultimately satisfying read in itself.

The impressive worldbuilding, the exquisite characterisation and the wholly absorbing plot with plenty of action and suspense flowing right through it all combine together for a stunning story. And how could I forget the magic? The plot features, dwarves and druids, sword and sorcery and the large cast is a joy to behold. I am yearning for the next and final instalment but will make do with rereading the whole series again as you tend to pick up more and more on repeated reads, and I could never get bored of this world. Set in a future time where magic has effectively replaced technology and armies are at the ready, moving like chess pieces on a board ready to accept their fate. If you're a fantasy fan do yourself favour and grab a copy with both hands and remember never to lend it to anyone as it's likely you'll never see the damn thing again! Many thanks to Orbit for an ARC.

It's a long time since last I visited Shannara and was happy to be back.
I was happy to read again this classic fantasy and be swept away by the plot.
The impressive world building and characters development, the engrossing and engaging plot were the elements that kept me hooked till the end.
I look forward to reading the next installment.
Highly recommended!
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.

I read the sword of shannara in 1979 whilst on operational deployment and it was probably one of the main reasons I stayed sane, to be reading books by terry brooks 40 years later is a testament to the sheer quality of the writing and character development, I’m not going to witter on about the story, it’s brilliant, read it