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The Word & The Void #1
Running with the Demon
Twenty years ago, Terry Brooks turned fantasy fiction on its head with The Sword of Shannara, the first fantasy novel to make the mainstream bestseller lists, and the first in an unbroken string of thirteen bestselling books. Now, in Running with the Demon, Brooks does nothing less than revitalize fantasy fiction again, inventing the complex and powerful new mythos of the Word and the Void, good versus evil still, but played out in the theater-in-the-round of the "real world" of our present.
On the hottest Fourth of July weekend in decades, two men have come to Hopewell, Illinois, site of a lengthy, bitter steel strike. One is a demon, dark servant of the Void, who will use the anger and frustration of the community to attain a terrible secret goal. The other is John Ross, a Knight of the Word, a man who, while he sleeps, lives in the hell the world will become if he fails to change its course on waking. Ross has been given the ability to see the future. But does he have the power to change it?
At stake is the soul of a fourteen-year-old girl mysteriously linked to both men. And the lives of the people of Hopewell. And the future of the country. This Fourth of July, while friends and families picnic in Sinnissippi Park and fireworks explode in celebration of freedom and independence, the fate of Humanity will be decided . . .
A novel that weaves together family drama, fading innocence, cataclysm, and enlightenment, Running with the Demon will forever change the way you think about the fantasy novel. As believable as it is imaginative, as wondrous as it is frightening, it is a rich, exquisitely-written tale to be savored long after the last page is turned.
On the hottest Fourth of July weekend in decades, two men have come to Hopewell, Illinois, site of a lengthy, bitter steel strike. One is a demon, dark servant of the Void, who will use the anger and frustration of the community to attain a terrible secret goal. The other is John Ross, a Knight of the Word, a man who, while he sleeps, lives in the hell the world will become if he fails to change its course on waking. Ross has been given the ability to see the future. But does he have the power to change it?
At stake is the soul of a fourteen-year-old girl mysteriously linked to both men. And the lives of the people of Hopewell. And the future of the country. This Fourth of July, while friends and families picnic in Sinnissippi Park and fireworks explode in celebration of freedom and independence, the fate of Humanity will be decided . . .
A novel that weaves together family drama, fading innocence, cataclysm, and enlightenment, Running with the Demon will forever change the way you think about the fantasy novel. As believable as it is imaginative, as wondrous as it is frightening, it is a rich, exquisitely-written tale to be savored long after the last page is turned.
420 pages, Hardcover
First published August 19, 1997
About the author
Terry Brooks
410 books77.6k followersTerry Brooks was born in Illinois in 1944, where he spent a great deal of his childhood and early adulthood dreaming up stories in and around Sinnissippi Park, the very same park that would eventually become the setting for his bestselling Word & Void trilogy. He went to college and received his undergraduate degree from Hamilton College, where he majored in English Literature, and he received his graduate degree from the School of Law at Washington & Lee University.
A writer since high school, he wrote many stories within the genres of science fiction, western, fiction, and non-fiction, until one semester early in his college years he was given The Lord of the Rings to read. That moment changed Terry's life forever, because in Tolkien's great work he found all the elements needed to fully explore his writing combined in one genre.
He then wrote The Sword of Shannara, the seven year grand result retaining sanity while studying at Washington & Lee University and practicing law. It became the first work of fiction ever to appear on the New York Times trade paperback bestseller list, where it remained for over five months.
A writer since high school, he wrote many stories within the genres of science fiction, western, fiction, and non-fiction, until one semester early in his college years he was given The Lord of the Rings to read. That moment changed Terry's life forever, because in Tolkien's great work he found all the elements needed to fully explore his writing combined in one genre.
He then wrote The Sword of Shannara, the seven year grand result retaining sanity while studying at Washington & Lee University and practicing law. It became the first work of fiction ever to appear on the New York Times trade paperback bestseller list, where it remained for over five months.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 809 reviews
December 1, 2017
I skimmed. A lot.
While the plot was pretty interesting, there was just too much in the way of nonsense descriptions about the landscape and history of the town, which had no bearing on the story, for me to pay attention to every word.
I just don't do well with stuff like that.
But once you scraped off all the useless information, this was a fairly neat take on the tale of the Battle Between Good and Evil.
The young girl in this coming of age story has a power inside of her that can be used to save the world...or to destroy it!
*dum, dum, duuuum*
That part of the book was good stuff.
The other problem I had (besides all the boring wah, wah, wah descriptions) was that all the adults in her life kept her in the dark about all the things she needed to know. And there was NO reason for it, other than to drive the mystery of her parentage, and set her up to potentially be so blindsided by everything that she might fail to make the right choice. <--That?
It's quickly becoming my top pet peeve in books. It just...UGH!
Still. I did (for the most part) end up enjoying this far more than I expected. I'd recommend this one to those of you who really love the Dark vs Light sort of storylines.
While the plot was pretty interesting, there was just too much in the way of nonsense descriptions about the landscape and history of the town, which had no bearing on the story, for me to pay attention to every word.
I just don't do well with stuff like that.
But once you scraped off all the useless information, this was a fairly neat take on the tale of the Battle Between Good and Evil.
The young girl in this coming of age story has a power inside of her that can be used to save the world...or to destroy it!
*dum, dum, duuuum*
That part of the book was good stuff.
The other problem I had (besides all the boring wah, wah, wah descriptions) was that all the adults in her life kept her in the dark about all the things she needed to know. And there was NO reason for it, other than to drive the mystery of her parentage, and set her up to potentially be so blindsided by everything that she might fail to make the right choice. <--That?
It's quickly becoming my top pet peeve in books. It just...UGH!
Still. I did (for the most part) end up enjoying this far more than I expected. I'd recommend this one to those of you who really love the Dark vs Light sort of storylines.
July 24, 2018
Η αναμέτρηση με τον δαίμονα θα μπορούσε να θεωρηθεί μυθιστόρημα αστικής φαντασίας,με μια θετική φρίκη να διατρέχει την πλοκή και την εξέλιξη.
Ξεκάθαρα όμως, ανήκει σε άλλο είδος φαντασίας.
Ίσως σε μια φαντασία προσδοκίας γαρνιρισμένη με σύγχρονη φρίκη.
Παρουσιάζει έναν κόσμο σαν τον δικό μας,αλλά, ο μαγικά δαιμονικός κόσμος της αναμέτρησης ανάμεσα στο καλό και το κακό, δεν μπορεί να γίνει αντιληπτός απο κοινούς θνητούς.
Είναι στην ουσία ένα πεδίο μάχης ανάμεσα στην δημιουργία και την ανάπτυξη και τη φθορά και την καταστροφή.
Θεός του καλού είναι ο Λόγος. Θεός της καταστροφής είναι το Κενό. Βασικοί εκπρόσωποι και των δυο πλευρών ο Ιππότης του Λόγου απο τη μία και ο Δαίμονας χειραγωγός του θανάτου απο την άλλη.
Η Νεστ είναι μια έφηβη με ξεχωριστές ικανότητες που προέρχεται απο μία ιδιαίτερη οικογένεια. Παρέα της ένα ξωτικό που την καθοδηγεί και ένα Στοιχειό που την προσέχει.
Η Νεστ έχει επιφορτιστεί εν άγνοια της με την σωτηρία του κόσμου.
Αν όμως την αγγίξει ο Δαίμονας του Κενού θα κυριαρχήσει το Κακό που θα βουλιάξει τον πλανήτη στο έρεβος της αβύσσου.
Προστάτης της καλείται ο Ιππότης του λόγου, Ιωάννης, που πρέπει να αποτρέψει τις δαιμονικές δοκοπλοκίες, για να μη χαθεί οριστικά ο κόσμος.
Υπάρχει επίσης ένα τέρας της αποκάλυψης εγκλωβισμένο σε μια αρχαία βελανιδιά και κάποια τέρατα που απορροφούν τα κακά συναισθήματα και διαιωνίζονται.
Η μαγεία υπάρχει στο ελάχιστο και σε μία μορφή που θα τη χαρακτήριζα ανόητη.
Αγωνία και δράση σχεδον ανύπαρκτες.
Η πλοκή απλή και προβλέψιμη. Οι χαρακτήρες επιφανειακοί και αδιάφοροι. Δεν μπόρεσα να συνδεθώ αν και προσπάθησα πολύ.
Ένα παραμύθι χωρίς βάθος και ουσία.
Θυμίζει μυθιστόρημα του Κίνγκ με λιγότερη φλυαρία.
Ούπς ( Σόρρυ #νοτ. Ταλεντάρα μου. #λοβγιου_ενιγουέι )
Πάντως, πρόκειται για μια πλήρη ιστορία παρ’ολο που βασίζεται σε τριλογία.
Ένα αργό, όμορφο και ήπιο παραμυθάκι με αρκετά ζωντανές σκηνές.
Δίχως κάτι τρομερά καινοτόμο, νέο ή συναρπαστικό σχετικά με την ιστορία που πραγματεύεται και ένα τέλος που προδιαγράφεται εξ αρχής και δεν εκπλήσσει στο ελάχιστο.
Καλή ανάγνωση.
Πολλούς ασπασμούς.
Ξεκάθαρα όμως, ανήκει σε άλλο είδος φαντασίας.
Ίσως σε μια φαντασία προσδοκίας γαρνιρισμένη με σύγχρονη φρίκη.
Παρουσιάζει έναν κόσμο σαν τον δικό μας,αλλά, ο μαγικά δαιμονικός κόσμος της αναμέτρησης ανάμεσα στο καλό και το κακό, δεν μπορεί να γίνει αντιληπτός απο κοινούς θνητούς.
Είναι στην ουσία ένα πεδίο μάχης ανάμεσα στην δημιουργία και την ανάπτυξη και τη φθορά και την καταστροφή.
Θεός του καλού είναι ο Λόγος. Θεός της καταστροφής είναι το Κενό. Βασικοί εκπρόσωποι και των δυο πλευρών ο Ιππότης του Λόγου απο τη μία και ο Δαίμονας χειραγωγός του θανάτου απο την άλλη.
Η Νεστ είναι μια έφηβη με ξεχωριστές ικανότητες που προέρχεται απο μία ιδιαίτερη οικογένεια. Παρέα της ένα ξωτικό που την καθοδηγεί και ένα Στοιχειό που την προσέχει.
Η Νεστ έχει επιφορτιστεί εν άγνοια της με την σωτηρία του κόσμου.
Αν όμως την αγγίξει ο Δαίμονας του Κενού θα κυριαρχήσει το Κακό που θα βουλιάξει τον πλανήτη στο έρεβος της αβύσσου.
Προστάτης της καλείται ο Ιππότης του λόγου, Ιωάννης, που πρέπει να αποτρέψει τις δαιμονικές δοκοπλοκίες, για να μη χαθεί οριστικά ο κόσμος.
Υπάρχει επίσης ένα τέρας της αποκάλυψης εγκλωβισμένο σε μια αρχαία βελανιδιά και κάποια τέρατα που απορροφούν τα κακά συναισθήματα και διαιωνίζονται.
Η μαγεία υπάρχει στο ελάχιστο και σε μία μορφή που θα τη χαρακτήριζα ανόητη.
Αγωνία και δράση σχεδον ανύπαρκτες.
Η πλοκή απλή και προβλέψιμη. Οι χαρακτήρες επιφανειακοί και αδιάφοροι. Δεν μπόρεσα να συνδεθώ αν και προσπάθησα πολύ.
Ένα παραμύθι χωρίς βάθος και ουσία.
Θυμίζει μυθιστόρημα του Κίνγκ με λιγότερη φλυαρία.
Ούπς ( Σόρρυ #νοτ. Ταλεντάρα μου. #λοβγιου_ενιγουέι )
Πάντως, πρόκειται για μια πλήρη ιστορία παρ’ολο που βασίζεται σε τριλογία.
Ένα αργό, όμορφο και ήπιο παραμυθάκι με αρκετά ζωντανές σκηνές.
Δίχως κάτι τρομερά καινοτόμο, νέο ή συναρπαστικό σχετικά με την ιστορία που πραγματεύεται και ένα τέλος που προδιαγράφεται εξ αρχής και δεν εκπλήσσει στο ελάχιστο.
Καλή ανάγνωση.
Πολλούς ασπασμούς.
October 30, 2019
Good versus evil in a cool dark urban fantasy.
Terry Brooks is of course THAT Terry Brooks, the same guy who wrote the fabulously well to do Sword of Shannara series that won much acclaim and earned oodles of coin for him and the publishers.
This takes place in a small midwestern town setting that made me think of Ray Bradbury and the idea of an invisible battle between good and evil forces also reminded me of Frank E. Peretti’s 1986 novel This Present Darkness. A knight of the WORD is there and is opposed by a demon of the VOID. And so we’re off on a magical adventure with a 14 year old girl protagonist, serious family drama including domestic abuse and some frightening scenes.
I’ll be honest and say I did not like this as much as I wanted to. I very much liked the setting, some of the characters and the idea for the story, but I just never completely bought into his narrative. There was much to like still and maybe the highlight was the character Pick, a small sylvan faerie who I thought of as a reimagining of Shakespeare’s Puck but who a friend thought of as a baby Groot – and I think she’s right.
Terry Brooks is of course THAT Terry Brooks, the same guy who wrote the fabulously well to do Sword of Shannara series that won much acclaim and earned oodles of coin for him and the publishers.
This takes place in a small midwestern town setting that made me think of Ray Bradbury and the idea of an invisible battle between good and evil forces also reminded me of Frank E. Peretti’s 1986 novel This Present Darkness. A knight of the WORD is there and is opposed by a demon of the VOID. And so we’re off on a magical adventure with a 14 year old girl protagonist, serious family drama including domestic abuse and some frightening scenes.
I’ll be honest and say I did not like this as much as I wanted to. I very much liked the setting, some of the characters and the idea for the story, but I just never completely bought into his narrative. There was much to like still and maybe the highlight was the character Pick, a small sylvan faerie who I thought of as a reimagining of Shakespeare’s Puck but who a friend thought of as a baby Groot – and I think she’s right.
September 21, 2016
Not the correct edition. It was the unabridged one, but since I also have the paperback shelved, I can't seem to get this to switch to the correct audio edition.
This book gets 2 stars only if you're expecting a YA read & not much else. Actually, it's kind of a neat idea, but the execution was horribly flawed. Reading it, I was able to skim & ignore much of the stupid & repetitive writing. Listening to it was pretty torturous, though.
The idea of the 'Word & Void', opposites, good & evil is obvious & overdone, but it looked as if Brooks had opened up some possibilities. Overall, there are some good messages. I like the idea that The End isn't one big thing, but a lot of little things all adding up together. A very subtle game was going to be played with unsuspecting people. Unfortunately, he fumbled in the execution.
The demon was a major dumb ass, too evil & stupid to be true when it came to Nest. He did everything possible to alienate her while using all his subtle charms on secondary players. It made no sense no matter how much I tried to excuse it.
But the worst offense was Stupid Secrets. Nest was born with MAGIC. IOW, the kid has a loaded gun in her hands from an early age & is now going through puberty with a bunch of trials on top. So, let's not tell her a damn thing or give her any training, but pretend nothing will happen, even though the basic premise of the entire book - what these people have dedicated their lives to -is that something WILL happen. If there is any logic there, it completely escaped me.
To cap it all off, we get to the final confrontation & Obviously, this is supposed to be a bombshell, rocking us all to our startled little toes. Aaaaggghhh! It was just STUPID.
The magic is sketchy. The knight, the figure of power & authority, is severely limited while a completely untaught, 14 year old girl's magic doesn't seem to be limited by anything other than her own self control. (Note: I have raised 3 teenagers. 14 is NOT an age where self control is a notable attribute of either sex.)
Brooks was consistent in using multiple words where one would do. In a phone conversation, we find this gem, "There was an audible sigh of relief." Of course it was audible! (OK, that one is minor, but the sheer number of similar instances drove me to distraction.) Feeders, limbless shadows, managed to both creep & slither. Pick was described so many times that I was ready to rip his mossy beard off. Seriously, the first several times we heard about him, that was most of the description & then Brooks decides to fully describe him & we get more on the beard. Enough!!!
Anyway, I will NEVER listen to another Brooks book on audio. Luckily, he had a really excellent reader & I was stuck or I wouldn't have finished this one.
This book gets 2 stars only if you're expecting a YA read & not much else. Actually, it's kind of a neat idea, but the execution was horribly flawed. Reading it, I was able to skim & ignore much of the stupid & repetitive writing. Listening to it was pretty torturous, though.
The idea of the 'Word & Void', opposites, good & evil is obvious & overdone, but it looked as if Brooks had opened up some possibilities. Overall, there are some good messages. I like the idea that The End isn't one big thing, but a lot of little things all adding up together. A very subtle game was going to be played with unsuspecting people. Unfortunately, he fumbled in the execution.
The demon was a major dumb ass, too evil & stupid to be true when it came to Nest. He did everything possible to alienate her while using all his subtle charms on secondary players. It made no sense no matter how much I tried to excuse it.
But the worst offense was Stupid Secrets. Nest was born with MAGIC. IOW, the kid has a loaded gun in her hands from an early age & is now going through puberty with a bunch of trials on top. So, let's not tell her a damn thing or give her any training, but pretend nothing will happen, even though the basic premise of the entire book - what these people have dedicated their lives to -is that something WILL happen. If there is any logic there, it completely escaped me.
To cap it all off, we get to the final confrontation & Obviously, this is supposed to be a bombshell, rocking us all to our startled little toes. Aaaaggghhh! It was just STUPID.
The magic is sketchy. The knight, the figure of power & authority, is severely limited while a completely untaught, 14 year old girl's magic doesn't seem to be limited by anything other than her own self control. (Note: I have raised 3 teenagers. 14 is NOT an age where self control is a notable attribute of either sex.)
Brooks was consistent in using multiple words where one would do. In a phone conversation, we find this gem, "There was an audible sigh of relief." Of course it was audible! (OK, that one is minor, but the sheer number of similar instances drove me to distraction.) Feeders, limbless shadows, managed to both creep & slither. Pick was described so many times that I was ready to rip his mossy beard off. Seriously, the first several times we heard about him, that was most of the description & then Brooks decides to fully describe him & we get more on the beard. Enough!!!
Anyway, I will NEVER listen to another Brooks book on audio. Luckily, he had a really excellent reader & I was stuck or I wouldn't have finished this one.
November 23, 2019
Note, Nov. 23, 2019: I've just completely re-edited this review, because in the 17 years since I read the book, and the 11 years since I reviewed it, my assessment has changed significantly.
Brooks is best known as a fantasy author, but I've classified this work as supernatural fiction because it's set strictly in this world. Of course, the boundaries of all of the speculative genres can be a bit fuzzy around the edges; and in fact in the subsequent novels, Brooks actually ties this trilogy in to his Shannara fantasy series. (I haven't read the later books; but while I want to refrain from spoilers, I will say that from reading reviews and descriptions, I'm not satisfied with the protagonist's character arc.)
Although Brooks uses some Christian terminology here (John Ross, for instance, is a "Knight of the Word"), the operating worldview of the book is much more akin to Zoroastrian dualism with its eternal conflict between a more-or-less evenly matched good and evil. That allowed for, Brooks does have a very clear awareness of the reality of good and evil and the distinction between them. And he centers his plot around the necessity of making a personal decision between the two, for the conflict isn't simply the outward one of 14-year-old Nest, the latest of a long line of magically-talented female guardians of the forest, versus the forces of evil. It's also within and for the soul of Nest herself, as the demon who sired her seeks to subvert her (and her considerable potential power) for the cause of evil, and John Ross' charge is to prevent this --if necessary, by killing her. (This conflict is similar thematically to the spiritual tug-of-war in Dracula between the Count and Van Helsing for the soul of Mina Harker --though the symbolism of the latter is much more explicitly Christian.)
Another key difference between Stoker's treatment and Brooks,' however, and one which greatly weakens the latter artistically and realistically, is that Ross can't or won't explain candidly to Nest what's going on, and what's at stake for others in her decision. This, of course, is a device Brooks uses to heighten suspense. But on examination, it's completely unrealistic. I will admit that I didn't examine it until another Goodreader pointed it out; Brooks' storytelling skills and the momentum of the plot can carry a reader along without thinking about this. But thinking about it is fatal to "suspension of disbelief." No moral consideration of respecting Nest's free will is at stake here; her choice would not be constrained in any way if she made it with her eyes open --and indeed, it would have a great deal more integrity if she did. And given the stakes involved, and the fact that a right decision would be more apt to be made with all the facts known, it would be idiotically impractical for the forces of good to artificially handicap themselves by a secrecy policy. These considerations, IMO, have to diminish the book's literary merit.
Brooks is best known as a fantasy author, but I've classified this work as supernatural fiction because it's set strictly in this world. Of course, the boundaries of all of the speculative genres can be a bit fuzzy around the edges; and in fact in the subsequent novels, Brooks actually ties this trilogy in to his Shannara fantasy series. (I haven't read the later books; but while I want to refrain from spoilers, I will say that from reading reviews and descriptions, I'm not satisfied with the protagonist's character arc.)
Although Brooks uses some Christian terminology here (John Ross, for instance, is a "Knight of the Word"), the operating worldview of the book is much more akin to Zoroastrian dualism with its eternal conflict between a more-or-less evenly matched good and evil. That allowed for, Brooks does have a very clear awareness of the reality of good and evil and the distinction between them. And he centers his plot around the necessity of making a personal decision between the two, for the conflict isn't simply the outward one of 14-year-old Nest, the latest of a long line of magically-talented female guardians of the forest, versus the forces of evil. It's also within and for the soul of Nest herself, as the demon who sired her seeks to subvert her (and her considerable potential power) for the cause of evil, and John Ross' charge is to prevent this --if necessary, by killing her. (This conflict is similar thematically to the spiritual tug-of-war in Dracula between the Count and Van Helsing for the soul of Mina Harker --though the symbolism of the latter is much more explicitly Christian.)
Another key difference between Stoker's treatment and Brooks,' however, and one which greatly weakens the latter artistically and realistically, is that Ross can't or won't explain candidly to Nest what's going on, and what's at stake for others in her decision. This, of course, is a device Brooks uses to heighten suspense. But on examination, it's completely unrealistic. I will admit that I didn't examine it until another Goodreader pointed it out; Brooks' storytelling skills and the momentum of the plot can carry a reader along without thinking about this. But thinking about it is fatal to "suspension of disbelief." No moral consideration of respecting Nest's free will is at stake here; her choice would not be constrained in any way if she made it with her eyes open --and indeed, it would have a great deal more integrity if she did. And given the stakes involved, and the fact that a right decision would be more apt to be made with all the facts known, it would be idiotically impractical for the forces of good to artificially handicap themselves by a secrecy policy. These considerations, IMO, have to diminish the book's literary merit.
November 23, 2015
Now that was just what I needed. After reading a pretentious spewing of literary "greatness", I needed something that I could actually enjoy. And enjoy it I did, more than I expected to.
I've been reading Brooks for years. When I was ten years old, I read his only book at the time, The Sword of Shannara. I remember liking it a lot and being really annoyed that he didn't have anymore books out. When Elfstones of Shannara came out a few years later, I was enthralled; it was even better.
I got side-tracked awhile later and fell behind, but in recent years my stepdaughter has helped me get back on track. She's a huge Brooks fan, devouring each new book as it comes out. So I've borrowed some of her books and worked on getting caught up.
This was incredible. I was actually surprised at how much I liked it. I was wanting to find my comfort zone, and knew that Brooks was safe. That is, I'd enjoy the book and feel normal again, reading a book with enjoyable story and not something that some haughty author is trying to impress me with. But this book exceeded my expectations.
It was like Elfstones, only set in the modern world. I love the blending of majic and reality and...so much more. I don't want to spoil anything, as the discovery was half the enjoyment.
So next up, without question, is A Knight of the Word.
I've been reading Brooks for years. When I was ten years old, I read his only book at the time, The Sword of Shannara. I remember liking it a lot and being really annoyed that he didn't have anymore books out. When Elfstones of Shannara came out a few years later, I was enthralled; it was even better.
I got side-tracked awhile later and fell behind, but in recent years my stepdaughter has helped me get back on track. She's a huge Brooks fan, devouring each new book as it comes out. So I've borrowed some of her books and worked on getting caught up.
This was incredible. I was actually surprised at how much I liked it. I was wanting to find my comfort zone, and knew that Brooks was safe. That is, I'd enjoy the book and feel normal again, reading a book with enjoyable story and not something that some haughty author is trying to impress me with. But this book exceeded my expectations.
It was like Elfstones, only set in the modern world. I love the blending of majic and reality and...so much more. I don't want to spoil anything, as the discovery was half the enjoyment.
So next up, without question, is A Knight of the Word.
September 6, 2021
Why are these stories giving me anxiety and instead of taking a break I just download the next one ☝🏽 LOL!!! I should just go to bed or something lol
July 11, 2016
What do a fourteen year old girl, a wanderer with a wicked limp, and a calculating demon have in common? The answer is three-fold.
Hopewell, Indiana is your typical small town where everyone knows everyone else, it's economy reliant on a single industry - in this case it's the now quiet steel mill as the strike grinds into it's third month. It is also the home of Nest Freemark, growing up under the watchful eyes of her grandparents, a sylvan, a magical dog, and the knowledge that she has a powerful magic. Stranger John Ross drifts into town on a Greyhound bus, and insinuates himself into the life of the Freemark family, claiming that he knew Nest's mother, Caitlin, back in college, before she killed herself. And then there is the demon, focused and determined to destroy not just our way of life, but life itself. They are bound by Hopewell. They are bound by deep secrets. They are bound by magic.
Terry Brooks is one of my favorite fantasy authors, but I'll admit it, I had not plan to read this or any of the other books in The Word and The Void series. Urban fantasy just didn't appeal to me, despite how popular these books became. But then he had to go and link this series to Shannara, my gateway drug into the realm of fantasy. If I didn't read these books, I would never be able to fully understand the foundations of those books. I added them to my stack of books to be read, but still I hesitated, putting book after book in front of them. I shouldn't have. Running with the Demon is a dark and complex story of the battle between good and evil. This is not Lord of the Rings or even Shannara. It is something completely different and it hooked me right from the start. If you think you know fantasy, if you think it's all wizards and swords, you're wrong.
What I want to do is go right out and read all of the other books in this series and then jump headfirst into the Genesis of Shannara. Terry Brooks has a way of making me feel like that. He has since the first time I picked up The Sword of Shannara. But I will be patient, I will savor these books. I will allow myself to fully enjoy them and I will say to anyone who has debated reading them because they aren't Shannara, to quit debating and start reading today.
Hopewell, Indiana is your typical small town where everyone knows everyone else, it's economy reliant on a single industry - in this case it's the now quiet steel mill as the strike grinds into it's third month. It is also the home of Nest Freemark, growing up under the watchful eyes of her grandparents, a sylvan, a magical dog, and the knowledge that she has a powerful magic. Stranger John Ross drifts into town on a Greyhound bus, and insinuates himself into the life of the Freemark family, claiming that he knew Nest's mother, Caitlin, back in college, before she killed herself. And then there is the demon, focused and determined to destroy not just our way of life, but life itself. They are bound by Hopewell. They are bound by deep secrets. They are bound by magic.
Terry Brooks is one of my favorite fantasy authors, but I'll admit it, I had not plan to read this or any of the other books in The Word and The Void series. Urban fantasy just didn't appeal to me, despite how popular these books became. But then he had to go and link this series to Shannara, my gateway drug into the realm of fantasy. If I didn't read these books, I would never be able to fully understand the foundations of those books. I added them to my stack of books to be read, but still I hesitated, putting book after book in front of them. I shouldn't have. Running with the Demon is a dark and complex story of the battle between good and evil. This is not Lord of the Rings or even Shannara. It is something completely different and it hooked me right from the start. If you think you know fantasy, if you think it's all wizards and swords, you're wrong.
What I want to do is go right out and read all of the other books in this series and then jump headfirst into the Genesis of Shannara. Terry Brooks has a way of making me feel like that. He has since the first time I picked up The Sword of Shannara. But I will be patient, I will savor these books. I will allow myself to fully enjoy them and I will say to anyone who has debated reading them because they aren't Shannara, to quit debating and start reading today.
September 29, 2009
Sorry about this book (and the two that follow it) I couldn't escape the feeling that they could have been so much better. A good idea with what I felt was poor execution.
I note that after the trilogy he started a series based on the failure of his protaginists in this series...ouch.
I note that after the trilogy he started a series based on the failure of his protaginists in this series...ouch.
April 17, 2020
Одлично написано. Радња је занимљива, ликови солидно представљени. Препоручујем да се прочита.
February 7, 2021
I read this one a while ago, and I need to reread for a proper review. But in my memory I liked it so much, why did I give it three stars back in 2017? To be continued..
2021 reread: Absolutely loved it. Couldn't stop reading even though I had read it before. The story takes place in current day & age, different from the Shannara stories. I think this is where the magic was born and the Void is probably the beginning of the Forbidding? I hope I'll find out. Loved Nest, she grew up a lot in this book. John Ross is also a great character, not a perfect good guy but slowly coming to terms with what is expected of him. Loved the discriptions of the Sinnissipi Park and its lore, really felt like I was there. From 3 to 5 stars!
2021 reread: Absolutely loved it. Couldn't stop reading even though I had read it before. The story takes place in current day & age, different from the Shannara stories. I think this is where the magic was born and the Void is probably the beginning of the Forbidding? I hope I'll find out. Loved Nest, she grew up a lot in this book. John Ross is also a great character, not a perfect good guy but slowly coming to terms with what is expected of him. Loved the discriptions of the Sinnissipi Park and its lore, really felt like I was there. From 3 to 5 stars!
September 23, 2023
Terry Brooks, Amerikaans van afkomst, is een fantasie auteur. Een auteur die studies afwerkte in Engelse literatuur en rechten. Hij startte met werken als advocaat maar na de publicatie van zijn eerste boek nam hij het risico om fulltime te gaan schrijven.
Het schrijven deed hij eigenlijk al vanaf zijn schooltijd. Na het lezen van In de ban van de ring kreeg hij inspiratie om zelf fantasie te gaan schrijven. William Faulkner, die wordt aanzien als een van de belangrijkste fictie schrijvers van de VS, inspireerde Brooks in de stijl van schrijven die hij wou neerpennen.
In 1977 debuteerde hij met Het zwaard van Shannara.
Het boek
Het boek dat ik las kreeg de titel Dansen met de demon en is het eerste deel uit de reeks De krachten van het kwaad. Op de boeken zelf staat niet direct een connectie met de Shannara reeks maar Wikipedia rekent ze er wel bij.
Het verhaal
Naar aanloop van het weekend van 4juli komen er twee vreemdelingen aan in de Hopewell. Eén van hen is een demon van het kwaad die het voorzien heeft op Tess Freemark. Tess is veertien jaar en in tegenstelling tot haar vrienden kan zij demonen en vreters, wezens die teren op agressie en geweld, zien. De enige die ook weet wat er allemaal rondloopt in het park is Tess haar oma. De vrouw die haar alles probeert te leren over haar magie en de gevaren ervan.
Terwijl de demon alles voorbereid om Hopewell op zijn kop te zetten is de tweede vreemdeling er gelukkig ook nog. John Ross, die elke nacht geplaagd wordt door visioenen van een mogelijke toekomst die geen werkelijkheid mag worden, is op mysterieuze wijze verbonden met Tess.
Mijn gedacht
Schrijfwijze
Terry Brooks heeft een aangename schrijfstijl waarbij hij soms wel gebruik maakt van lange zinnen. Die gebruikt hij om iets duidelijker te maken of iets gedetailleerder te omschrijven.
Een ander lettertype geeft aan wanneer het verhaal zich afspeelt in een droom.
Spanningsopbouw
De spanning is niet volledig op sterkte vanaf het begin van het boek. Maar naarmate je vordert in het verhaal neemt hij wel met sprongen toe. Om dan op het laatste deel volledig tot ontploffing te komen. Dit zorgt er zeker voor dat de lezer het moeilijk heeft om het boek even naast zich neer te leggen.
Personages
De personages passen wel goed in dit verhaal. Tess wordt echt wel neergezet als een veertienjarige jongedame die zoekende is in het leven qua liefde en leven. Wat dan nog vermoeilijkt wordt doordat ze haar magische kant moet verbergen voor haar vrienden, maar gelukkig kan ze terugvallen op haar grootmoeder Evelyn, die dezelfde gave heeft als haar kleindochter. De vriendenkring vindt het soms wat raar wat Tess allemaal van excuses inzet om te verdwijnen maar blijven haar toch helpen. Hoe gek het ook mag zijn. Qua uitwerking zit het wel snor met de personages.
Het einde
Het einde van het verhaal bevat de meeste spanning. Een twist links en een twist rechts zorgt nog voor wat extra punch om het einde nog beter te maken.
Conclusie
Een eerste deel dat doet verwateren naar het vervolg. Een degelijk fantasie verhaal met goed uitgewerkte personages. Een schrijfstijl die mooi de omgeving beschrijft of de personages.
Het schrijven deed hij eigenlijk al vanaf zijn schooltijd. Na het lezen van In de ban van de ring kreeg hij inspiratie om zelf fantasie te gaan schrijven. William Faulkner, die wordt aanzien als een van de belangrijkste fictie schrijvers van de VS, inspireerde Brooks in de stijl van schrijven die hij wou neerpennen.
In 1977 debuteerde hij met Het zwaard van Shannara.
Het boek
Het boek dat ik las kreeg de titel Dansen met de demon en is het eerste deel uit de reeks De krachten van het kwaad. Op de boeken zelf staat niet direct een connectie met de Shannara reeks maar Wikipedia rekent ze er wel bij.
Het verhaal
Naar aanloop van het weekend van 4juli komen er twee vreemdelingen aan in de Hopewell. Eén van hen is een demon van het kwaad die het voorzien heeft op Tess Freemark. Tess is veertien jaar en in tegenstelling tot haar vrienden kan zij demonen en vreters, wezens die teren op agressie en geweld, zien. De enige die ook weet wat er allemaal rondloopt in het park is Tess haar oma. De vrouw die haar alles probeert te leren over haar magie en de gevaren ervan.
Terwijl de demon alles voorbereid om Hopewell op zijn kop te zetten is de tweede vreemdeling er gelukkig ook nog. John Ross, die elke nacht geplaagd wordt door visioenen van een mogelijke toekomst die geen werkelijkheid mag worden, is op mysterieuze wijze verbonden met Tess.
Mijn gedacht
Schrijfwijze
Terry Brooks heeft een aangename schrijfstijl waarbij hij soms wel gebruik maakt van lange zinnen. Die gebruikt hij om iets duidelijker te maken of iets gedetailleerder te omschrijven.
Een ander lettertype geeft aan wanneer het verhaal zich afspeelt in een droom.
Spanningsopbouw
De spanning is niet volledig op sterkte vanaf het begin van het boek. Maar naarmate je vordert in het verhaal neemt hij wel met sprongen toe. Om dan op het laatste deel volledig tot ontploffing te komen. Dit zorgt er zeker voor dat de lezer het moeilijk heeft om het boek even naast zich neer te leggen.
Personages
De personages passen wel goed in dit verhaal. Tess wordt echt wel neergezet als een veertienjarige jongedame die zoekende is in het leven qua liefde en leven. Wat dan nog vermoeilijkt wordt doordat ze haar magische kant moet verbergen voor haar vrienden, maar gelukkig kan ze terugvallen op haar grootmoeder Evelyn, die dezelfde gave heeft als haar kleindochter. De vriendenkring vindt het soms wat raar wat Tess allemaal van excuses inzet om te verdwijnen maar blijven haar toch helpen. Hoe gek het ook mag zijn. Qua uitwerking zit het wel snor met de personages.
Het einde
Het einde van het verhaal bevat de meeste spanning. Een twist links en een twist rechts zorgt nog voor wat extra punch om het einde nog beter te maken.
Conclusie
Een eerste deel dat doet verwateren naar het vervolg. Een degelijk fantasie verhaal met goed uitgewerkte personages. Een schrijfstijl die mooi de omgeving beschrijft of de personages.
July 10, 2016
#1/29 in my Epic Shannara Quest.
A 14-year-old girl, who is descended from a line of females who have been chosen to aid a sylvan in protecting a park in Hopewell, Illinois, is forced to confront the mysteries surrounding her family. A crippled drifter bearing an intricately-carved walking stick, arrives in Hopewell, on the trail of a demon who is set on reclaiming what is his and ushering in the end of our world. And Terry Brooks, the mastermind behind the internationally best-selling fantasy The Sword of Shannara series, begins a new brilliantly realized saga that will culminate in the myth of Shannara.
(I’m writing this 17 years after the book’s publication; and, though not apparent at the time, it’s connection to the Shannara series has since been established. I remember starting this book in 2000 but gave up because I didn’t take to this modern teenager and her sylvan best friend--a fairy/sprite creature made of twigs and leaves--and it seemed far-flung from the first three Shannara books I had read and loved. So I stopped reading Brooks. And, now at 50, I am challenging myself to catch up on all things Shannara.)
This first volume of The Word and the Void trilogy is fast-paced and exciting. Brooks introduces the reader to a breathtaking world-with-in-a-world that is the elemental stuff of myth and legend brought into the modern era. His characters are well-drawn and quite believable. While this tale seems light and breezy, Brooks' urban fantasy is really quite dark and delves in the realm of horror and suspense quite often. All-in-all, Running with the Demon is a terrific start to to what I hope will be a memorable triology.
I have previously only read Brooks' original Shannara series and The First King of Shannara, but I was intrigued by his allusions to the world before Shannara--which had automobiles and aircraft and other technologies. I suppose that this is a glimpse of that world. But having had that glimpse, I want to glimpse more.
A 14-year-old girl, who is descended from a line of females who have been chosen to aid a sylvan in protecting a park in Hopewell, Illinois, is forced to confront the mysteries surrounding her family. A crippled drifter bearing an intricately-carved walking stick, arrives in Hopewell, on the trail of a demon who is set on reclaiming what is his and ushering in the end of our world. And Terry Brooks, the mastermind behind the internationally best-selling fantasy The Sword of Shannara series, begins a new brilliantly realized saga that will culminate in the myth of Shannara.
(I’m writing this 17 years after the book’s publication; and, though not apparent at the time, it’s connection to the Shannara series has since been established. I remember starting this book in 2000 but gave up because I didn’t take to this modern teenager and her sylvan best friend--a fairy/sprite creature made of twigs and leaves--and it seemed far-flung from the first three Shannara books I had read and loved. So I stopped reading Brooks. And, now at 50, I am challenging myself to catch up on all things Shannara.)
This first volume of The Word and the Void trilogy is fast-paced and exciting. Brooks introduces the reader to a breathtaking world-with-in-a-world that is the elemental stuff of myth and legend brought into the modern era. His characters are well-drawn and quite believable. While this tale seems light and breezy, Brooks' urban fantasy is really quite dark and delves in the realm of horror and suspense quite often. All-in-all, Running with the Demon is a terrific start to to what I hope will be a memorable triology.
I have previously only read Brooks' original Shannara series and The First King of Shannara, but I was intrigued by his allusions to the world before Shannara--which had automobiles and aircraft and other technologies. I suppose that this is a glimpse of that world. But having had that glimpse, I want to glimpse more.
June 14, 2013
This book is a fantasy book that takes place during our timeline. The author is known for his Shannara series and this trilogy is how that world started. Usually I am not a fan of contemporary fantasy, but this is fantastic. This book is about a battle between good and evil. It is about how today's world is leading to its demise with people's destructive acts and can acts of kindness offset it. I enjoyed the strengths and flaws of the characters. The twists and turns of the plot kept me engrossed in the book and I kept on reading to find out what would happen next. Some of them you can guess but some took me by surprise. You don't have to be a fan of fantasy to enjoy this book. I believe everyone will enjoy this novel.
March 30, 2020
Retko fantasy delo koje nije pretvoreno u višetomni serijal - veliki plus. Preporučujem.
April 26, 2013
QUICK SYNOPSIS: Story opens with a prologue where we gather insights into the dark dreams that John Ross, a Knight of the Word, must always have; every evening; every time he sleeps. It then opens with Nest Freemark, 13 and talking with a faerie pixie creature in a small town, racing to rescue a child from the dark creatures. Nest is sort of a guardian for people against the Feeders, who feed on the fears and negative emotions of humans, and does her best to keep them all safe. But larger events are in progress. A demon has arrived and knows that Hopewell, Illinois will be the powder keg for the big blow up. Amist her adolescence, Nest must help Jon Ross, as well as her sylvan friend, stop the demon from setting off this little town, which will result in overall chaos and darkness in the world.
MARKETING APPEAL: The genre appeals to some readers especially with the success of Neil Gaiman's works. As far as Brook fans go, this would appeal to dark urban fantasy types; it's well written and deals with good vs evil at an epic level in a small urban town. Not a huge story like Shannara (I think the big epic scale fantasies of good vs evil are the bestselling stories in fantasy novels).
SCORING: Superb (A), Excellent (A-), Very good (B+), Good (B) Fairly Good (B-) Above Average (C+), Mediocre (C ), Barely Passable (C-) Pretty Bad (D+), Dismal (D), Waste of Time (D-), Into the Trash (F)
DIALOGUE: B+ STRUCTURE: A- HISTORY SETTING: n/a CHARACTERS: A- EVIL SETUP/ANTAGONISTS: B+ EMOTIONAL IMPACT: A SURPRISES: B LITTLE THINGS: A- MONSTERS: B+ PACING: A OVERALL STYLE: A- FLOW OF WORDS: A- CHOICE OF FOCUS: A TRANSITIONS/FLASHBACKS/POV: A- COMPLEXITY OF WORDS/SYMBOLISM/THEMES: B+
OVERALL GRADE: A->/b>
EMOTIONAL IMPACT: This is where Brooks really hit the mark. I was emphatic to many of the Shannara characters, especially those in ELFSTONES, but RUNNING pushed it even further for Nest and her grandfather. There's a bittersweet quality to Nest's adolescence. True, she has all these magical powers, which ward off the evil Feeders, but she has little control over the dysfunctional families of her friends (i.e. Jared, for instance) nor can she do much to help with the crumbling relationship of her grandparents. Hopewell is also an ideal, idyllic little town. Everyone knows everyone and there's more of a community to it. That was one of the major reasons I enjoyed reading it, since it's never a community I knew or experienced. The loss of Nest's mother, which has wounded Nest and especially her grandmother (which is tearing apart at her relationship with Nest's grandfather) was heart breaking.
MARKETING APPEAL: The genre appeals to some readers especially with the success of Neil Gaiman's works. As far as Brook fans go, this would appeal to dark urban fantasy types; it's well written and deals with good vs evil at an epic level in a small urban town. Not a huge story like Shannara (I think the big epic scale fantasies of good vs evil are the bestselling stories in fantasy novels).
SCORING: Superb (A), Excellent (A-), Very good (B+), Good (B) Fairly Good (B-) Above Average (C+), Mediocre (C ), Barely Passable (C-) Pretty Bad (D+), Dismal (D), Waste of Time (D-), Into the Trash (F)
DIALOGUE: B+ STRUCTURE: A- HISTORY SETTING: n/a CHARACTERS: A- EVIL SETUP/ANTAGONISTS: B+ EMOTIONAL IMPACT: A SURPRISES: B LITTLE THINGS: A- MONSTERS: B+ PACING: A OVERALL STYLE: A- FLOW OF WORDS: A- CHOICE OF FOCUS: A TRANSITIONS/FLASHBACKS/POV: A- COMPLEXITY OF WORDS/SYMBOLISM/THEMES: B+
OVERALL GRADE: A->/b>
EMOTIONAL IMPACT: This is where Brooks really hit the mark. I was emphatic to many of the Shannara characters, especially those in ELFSTONES, but RUNNING pushed it even further for Nest and her grandfather. There's a bittersweet quality to Nest's adolescence. True, she has all these magical powers, which ward off the evil Feeders, but she has little control over the dysfunctional families of her friends (i.e. Jared, for instance) nor can she do much to help with the crumbling relationship of her grandparents. Hopewell is also an ideal, idyllic little town. Everyone knows everyone and there's more of a community to it. That was one of the major reasons I enjoyed reading it, since it's never a community I knew or experienced. The loss of Nest's mother, which has wounded Nest and especially her grandmother (which is tearing apart at her relationship with Nest's grandfather) was heart breaking.
December 24, 2016
Good vs. Evil
It is a common theme throughout literature, and the struggle between the two sides can become cliche, but when it is done well, with a realistic setting, unforgettable characters, and an absolutely riveting plot then a reader can be given a small glimpse of humanity and life. That is exactly what Terry Brooks gifts to his readers in Running With The Demon, which is an extremely well-written novel. I have heard Brooks say more than once, that he considers this to be one of his best novels, and I can say I wholeheartedly agree with that.
In Running With The Demon, there is a struggle of good vs. evil (in this case, it is the Word vs. the Void) set in a small midwestern town called Hopewell, Illinois. Fourteen year-old, Nest Freemark, lives in Hopewell with her grandparents, Bob and Evelyn Freemark, and little does she know, that the battle between the Word and Void hinges on her. A Knight of the Word, named John Ross, has tracked a Demon of the Void to Hopewell, and Nest is caught in the middle.
Running With The Demon invokes the idea that evil is constantly changing, and evolving, constantly attacking the moral fiber in the world, while opposing it, good is perpetually there, unchanging, but always attempting to stand firm against the ever changing threat of evil. I am reminded of East of Eden by John Steinbeck, which I read earlier this year, because it and Running With The Demon have the same basic overarching theme.
As I said previously in this review, when the theme of good vs. evil is delved into and brought to light in a way that helps a reader be able to see the actual day to day struggle in real life in a new way, then an author can provide a powerful message, and Brooks does that just as well as anyone, in this book.
I'm writing this review in light of the tragedy of the attacks in the German Christmas market, so the theme of good vs. evil/Word vs. Void is very palpable in the world today. Many prayers go out to those people in Germany and throughout the world who are dealing with evil. I hope that they know that good always triumphs.
P.S. Sorry to get "soap boxy".
P.S.S. Merry Christmas!
It is a common theme throughout literature, and the struggle between the two sides can become cliche, but when it is done well, with a realistic setting, unforgettable characters, and an absolutely riveting plot then a reader can be given a small glimpse of humanity and life. That is exactly what Terry Brooks gifts to his readers in Running With The Demon, which is an extremely well-written novel. I have heard Brooks say more than once, that he considers this to be one of his best novels, and I can say I wholeheartedly agree with that.
In Running With The Demon, there is a struggle of good vs. evil (in this case, it is the Word vs. the Void) set in a small midwestern town called Hopewell, Illinois. Fourteen year-old, Nest Freemark, lives in Hopewell with her grandparents, Bob and Evelyn Freemark, and little does she know, that the battle between the Word and Void hinges on her. A Knight of the Word, named John Ross, has tracked a Demon of the Void to Hopewell, and Nest is caught in the middle.
Running With The Demon invokes the idea that evil is constantly changing, and evolving, constantly attacking the moral fiber in the world, while opposing it, good is perpetually there, unchanging, but always attempting to stand firm against the ever changing threat of evil. I am reminded of East of Eden by John Steinbeck, which I read earlier this year, because it and Running With The Demon have the same basic overarching theme.
As I said previously in this review, when the theme of good vs. evil is delved into and brought to light in a way that helps a reader be able to see the actual day to day struggle in real life in a new way, then an author can provide a powerful message, and Brooks does that just as well as anyone, in this book.
I'm writing this review in light of the tragedy of the attacks in the German Christmas market, so the theme of good vs. evil/Word vs. Void is very palpable in the world today. Many prayers go out to those people in Germany and throughout the world who are dealing with evil. I hope that they know that good always triumphs.
P.S. Sorry to get "soap boxy".
P.S.S. Merry Christmas!
March 25, 2017
The Word and Void trilogy is the worst I've read from Brooks, and I've read most his work. I mainly pushed through just so I wouldn't miss any background necessary for the books that come after - and I kept hoping that something exciting / meaningful / magical would actually happen in this series. It was boring, there were no goals that I could determine (a defined quest might have helped), and little hope.
The setting is a big problem for me. We find ourselves in modern-day Washington State. There's very little magic. No elves. Nothing to rouse a trace of nostalgia for the Shannara series that you think you're supposed to be reading. There's just an apocalyptic war between good and evil going on that almost no one is aware of, and evil is winning. The servants of good have no hope and never seem to get a break. This is simply too far away from the world of Shannara for me. It was like a bleak history lesson that I just had to get through, and I couldn't even find the connection.
The next trilogy (Genesis of Shannara) is a little better. Things start to move away from the world as we know it, and by the end of it, we're starting to get back into truer fantasy territory. I imagine you'd only slog through that many books to get back to Shannara if you're truly hopeful in spirit, but I am generally an optimist.
The setting is a big problem for me. We find ourselves in modern-day Washington State. There's very little magic. No elves. Nothing to rouse a trace of nostalgia for the Shannara series that you think you're supposed to be reading. There's just an apocalyptic war between good and evil going on that almost no one is aware of, and evil is winning. The servants of good have no hope and never seem to get a break. This is simply too far away from the world of Shannara for me. It was like a bleak history lesson that I just had to get through, and I couldn't even find the connection.
The next trilogy (Genesis of Shannara) is a little better. Things start to move away from the world as we know it, and by the end of it, we're starting to get back into truer fantasy territory. I imagine you'd only slog through that many books to get back to Shannara if you're truly hopeful in spirit, but I am generally an optimist.
August 17, 2020
I didn't have much memory of this from my first read. I'm now starting a Brooks re-read and am going chronological. Previously I read the first five series'. I have five unread. Chronology leaps about so it'll be interesting to see what happens.
In this book we meet Pick, a Sylvain. He's an elf in Imaginary Friends so that was odd. Particularly as in future books elves are people size rather than 6".
Onward...
In this book we meet Pick, a Sylvain. He's an elf in Imaginary Friends so that was odd. Particularly as in future books elves are people size rather than 6".
Onward...
January 15, 2020
The beginning of my reread of the Shannara series. Since this is not my first time through a lot of this series, I am reading them in the order that is suggested for the revisitation of the series, instead of the publication order, which is how I read them initially. The last book comes out this June, but I know there is no way I'll finish the 37 books in this series before then lol...Shannara is one of my all time favorite series and I am looking forward to this journey :)
May 25, 2024
This book is a marked departure for Brooks from his traditional Epic Fantasy seen in his Shannara series and his more lighthearted fantasy series "The Magic Kingdom of Landover". This book marks his first series to explore urban fantasy with a touch of horror added.
Interestingly, this book feels like it has the most influcene drawn from Stephen King. This book basically features some kids and a family in a rural town where a monster has arrived and is causing terror. We get to see the lives of the people, and there is an element of coming of age in the story. (See the Stephen King elements).
I wouldn't particularly categorize this book as scary, although there are a few more gruewsome elements in the story. If you can handle some of the darker themes in Terry's other books (specifically "Elfstones of Shannara"), you can probably handle this.
My biggest issue with the book is the pacing. It moves along at an almost glacially slow pace, focused more on being a slice of life book and less on advancing the story. The story does get advanced a lot in the last 100 pages, but it takes 300 pages of meandering to get there. (The next two books in the series are a lot shorter, so I wonder if that will help the pacing).
That being said, there are some terrific moments in this book that really hooked me as a reader. The visuals of the alternate future if John Ross fails were just superb, as was his backstory in becoming a Knight of the Word.
Overall, this is an enjoyable book, and it tells a unique story for Brooks while still keeping several elements of his signature style. I think fans of his will generally appreciate this. 7 out of 10.
Interestingly, this book feels like it has the most influcene drawn from Stephen King. This book basically features some kids and a family in a rural town where a monster has arrived and is causing terror. We get to see the lives of the people, and there is an element of coming of age in the story. (See the Stephen King elements).
I wouldn't particularly categorize this book as scary, although there are a few more gruewsome elements in the story. If you can handle some of the darker themes in Terry's other books (specifically "Elfstones of Shannara"), you can probably handle this.
My biggest issue with the book is the pacing. It moves along at an almost glacially slow pace, focused more on being a slice of life book and less on advancing the story. The story does get advanced a lot in the last 100 pages, but it takes 300 pages of meandering to get there. (The next two books in the series are a lot shorter, so I wonder if that will help the pacing).
That being said, there are some terrific moments in this book that really hooked me as a reader. The visuals of the alternate future if John Ross fails were just superb, as was his backstory in becoming a Knight of the Word.
Overall, this is an enjoyable book, and it tells a unique story for Brooks while still keeping several elements of his signature style. I think fans of his will generally appreciate this. 7 out of 10.
October 30, 2019
2.5 stars - rounding up to 3
I had read a couple of Terry Brooks’ Magic Kingdom of Landover novels many years ago and I still remember how much I enjoyed them. So I felt sure I would enjoy Running with the Demon as much. Unfortunately that was not the case. This book lacked the charm and originality of the Magic Kingdom of Landover novels. There were so many characters I had trouble keeping track of them and way too many plot threads. There were a lot of things going on that weren’t clearly explained and even though members of my book club said things were explained in the following books, I feel like I shouldn’t have to read 2 more books to get a clear picture of the story.
If you are new to Terry Brooks, do yourself a favor and pick up Magic Kingdom for Sale – Sold instead of Running with Demons. You won’t be disappointed.
I had read a couple of Terry Brooks’ Magic Kingdom of Landover novels many years ago and I still remember how much I enjoyed them. So I felt sure I would enjoy Running with the Demon as much. Unfortunately that was not the case. This book lacked the charm and originality of the Magic Kingdom of Landover novels. There were so many characters I had trouble keeping track of them and way too many plot threads. There were a lot of things going on that weren’t clearly explained and even though members of my book club said things were explained in the following books, I feel like I shouldn’t have to read 2 more books to get a clear picture of the story.
If you are new to Terry Brooks, do yourself a favor and pick up Magic Kingdom for Sale – Sold instead of Running with Demons. You won’t be disappointed.
August 18, 2020
Pre-review thoughts
I've finally read Terry Brooks - usually they are higher fantasy than I read. Pick is adorable and my favorite of the characters. The demon is light-eyed and creepy without being cheesy. Nest is a worthy heroine who is finding herself in an unconventional family - a grandfather I adore who does his best in a mad world he can't see, and a grandmother too haunted by her past to move on other than saving her energy for an ultimate battle. Nest's bandit of realistic friends is a fun touch, including a side situation with a boy in an unstable home. Some of the story gets weighed down by lengthy scenes where the demon devices horrible stuff for the town, but this isn't all necessary to the story and I'd like to see it trimmed. The writing style is well done and not complicated, making it a quick and light read. The ending is a glorious twist that has a few surprises up its sleeve and made me close the book pleased. I will say the "Knight" seems a bit weak to me, and I disliked all the dreams that dragged on and on. Being in pages of italics did not at all help.
I've finally read Terry Brooks - usually they are higher fantasy than I read. Pick is adorable and my favorite of the characters. The demon is light-eyed and creepy without being cheesy. Nest is a worthy heroine who is finding herself in an unconventional family - a grandfather I adore who does his best in a mad world he can't see, and a grandmother too haunted by her past to move on other than saving her energy for an ultimate battle. Nest's bandit of realistic friends is a fun touch, including a side situation with a boy in an unstable home. Some of the story gets weighed down by lengthy scenes where the demon devices horrible stuff for the town, but this isn't all necessary to the story and I'd like to see it trimmed. The writing style is well done and not complicated, making it a quick and light read. The ending is a glorious twist that has a few surprises up its sleeve and made me close the book pleased. I will say the "Knight" seems a bit weak to me, and I disliked all the dreams that dragged on and on. Being in pages of italics did not at all help.
January 27, 2008
I've read a lot of Terry Brooks' books, including all of the Shannara books, and unfortunately, I was a little disappointed in this book, Running with the Demon. Here, Mr. Brooks departs from his usual pure fantasy genre to tell a story that mixes present day life with fantasy elements. The story is about a girl with magical powers, a demon who has arrived in her town to plot a cataclysmic event and a Knight of the Word (i.e., a man who tracks demons) whose mission is to stop the demon. I didnt like the story very much. At times the plot was slow. All of the characters were annoying and difficult to like. And this book had small elements of psuedo-christianity that was off-putting. The idea of invisible demons messing with people's heads and directing their actions is a theme that has been explored in christian fantasy novels. I like to keep my fantasy and religious concepts separate. I also prefer reading fantasy novels that are set in mythical worlds. Mr. Brooks has done a fantastic job doing that with many of the Shannara series, especially the Scion of Shannara books. Unfortunately, his attempt to blend a fantasy world with real life was not so successful here. Read any of the Harry Potter books for an amazing melding of real and fantasy life.
January 1, 2015
This is the first book I've read by Terry Brooks and I loved it. I listened to the abridged version of the audiobook and it makes me really want to listen to the unabridged version for the remaining books in the series. The writing is spectacular and the scene-setting is truly amazing. You can feel and see everything that is described as if it is happening right in front of you. I was very impressed by everything about this story.
Nest Freemark is a 14 year old girl with magic. She patrols the park near her house with a sylvan (who looks like a stick figure) and a barn owl, fighting feeders which are some kind of scary demonic monster. A war is coming and the feeders are the precursors of death. They are stealing children and mauling them to death. Nest is very compassionate and feels it is her duty to help others so she teams up with John Ross, a Knight of the Word to defeat the demon who is terrorizing her town. This is the first book in The Word and the Void series and it is wonderfully creative and imaginative. I will definitely be getting my hands on A Knight of the Word to continue the adventures of John Ross and Nest Freemark.
Nest Freemark is a 14 year old girl with magic. She patrols the park near her house with a sylvan (who looks like a stick figure) and a barn owl, fighting feeders which are some kind of scary demonic monster. A war is coming and the feeders are the precursors of death. They are stealing children and mauling them to death. Nest is very compassionate and feels it is her duty to help others so she teams up with John Ross, a Knight of the Word to defeat the demon who is terrorizing her town. This is the first book in The Word and the Void series and it is wonderfully creative and imaginative. I will definitely be getting my hands on A Knight of the Word to continue the adventures of John Ross and Nest Freemark.
August 22, 2016
First and most importantly, any book written by Terry Brooks is worth reading. His unique and detailed style of description is what I aspire to achieve in my writing. What I believe is most incredible about his novels is that the majority of them are interlinked. Although his numerously connected fantasy trilogies seem completely in another world than to his few modern 21st century novels, it took me over a year to realise that the fantasies were in fact sequels. That discovery made Terry Brooks my favourite author. The fact that he was able to integrate fantasy, reality, technology, and magic in a realistic and fictionally logical way is incredible.
January 29, 2016
A great read and quick. You get caught up in the story very well. The story here sets you up for the next trilogy and you know you want to read the next series this springboards. Very recommended
April 4, 2017
Excellent writing, but I'd expect no less from an English major with a track record like Terry's. Great story. Nice, tight pacing. Really real characters in really real places having some really unreal situations.
Modern-day paranormal thriller with a dash of Shannara because... Terry Brooks. Would make a good movie. Looking forward to more in this series.
Modern-day paranormal thriller with a dash of Shannara because... Terry Brooks. Would make a good movie. Looking forward to more in this series.
November 3, 2021
I read this book because a friend said a short story of mine reminded her of it. I wish! Maybe one day I will reach Brooks' level of writing. He flawlessly creates an urban fantasy world with unique creatures, dark villains, and fearless heroes. The story mainly revolves around Nest, and her attempts to balance a normal life with the weird world around her. I was thoroughly fascinated. If you like dark fantasy, this should be a must read for you.
January 24, 2020
I really like the pace of the book. There aren't any pointless details (though I do tend to skip some of the longer descriptions). There aren't any pointless climaxes either. Instead of the flow of the book being loaded with ups and downs, this book is just one steady climb to the top. Everything flows nicely. I was never bored or discouraged to continue reading. It's well done and I'm excited for book #2.
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