Running With the Demon (The Word and the Void Trilogy, Book 1)

Rating:
Summary: Extremely well written!!
Review: Terry Brooks has definitely shown his talent in "Running with the Demon." His ability to show detail in the smallest of things is absolutly amazing. This dramatic book is an excellent story about a young Nest Freemont who believes she is different and trying to figure out her past. A man named John Ross has come to the town of Hopewell for one reason, to find and destroy the demon who lurks in it. He leaves the town with one reason why it will be remembered, Nest Freemont. I highly encourage this book to be read by any drama reader.

Rating:
Summary: Don't Judge a book by its cover
Review: I admit it. I chose this book because of the cover. It looked really good too. Boy, was I wrong. I found myself skipping over some pages just to get to the end of the book. Don't get me wrong, I thought this book was all right. It was really good in detail, but it wasn't the best.

Rating:
Summary: An utter waste of time and paper
Review: Terry Brooks' only brilliant move was glomming on to the popularity of Tolkein's works before anyone else did. Recently I decided to try any book that didn't have "Shannara" in the title just to see if perhaps he had an original thought of his own. [He doesn't--this is a bad melding of THE GOLDEN COMPASS and WATCHERS.] It shows the same limited vision and writing ability that his earlier works demonstrate. I tried to like it, I really did. Bottom line: The book was awful.

Rating:
Summary: Thoroughly Disappointing
Review: I've been a Brooks fan for the past ten years. So, I can say with great authority that this isn't just the worse book he's ever written, but the worse book I've ever read. The plot is trite and predictable. I could have told you the ending at page 20. Furthermore, the characters are extremely underdeveloped. At times their actions were mysterious for the simple sack of mystery -without any other function in the narrative. It was an extremely frustrating book to read. I'm surprised I was able to finish it! I still have faith in Brooks, though. Maybe the sequel will be better. It can't get much worse.

Rating:
Summary: By far the BEST Terry Brooks novel I have ever read!
Review: "Running with the Demon" is far and away the BEST Terry Brooks novel I have ever read.  Reminiscent of H.P. Lovecraft, or Stephen King, but completely original (in other words, not a rip off of either).  I was absolutely unable to put it down. I finished this and the sequel, "A Knight of the Word", in three days. Considering that I operate on a businessman's tight schedule, that should be all the recommendation either of these books need! If you are a fan of Terry Brooks, fantasy fiction, supernatural horror, or just generally excellent fiction, you will want to check this out!

Rating:
Summary: OK, but not up to his "SHANNARA" or "MAGIC KINGDOM" series
Review: I enjoyed this book but was a little dissappointed after having read all of his "SHANNARA" and "MAGIC KINGDOM" series. The hero seems to be a reluctant one at best and the story-line is a little obscure. It seems as though there should have been a book before this one which created the setting. I also felt that too much of the book was devoted to the mundane and not enough to the main plot line. In short, this book (and I am sure those to come) remind me too much of Steven R. Donaldson's "The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant" series - I wasn't that wild about those either. Come on Terry, how about so more "SHANNARA" stuff!

Rating:
Summary: A great book that shows the evolvement of fantasy writing.
Review: Running With the Demon has a great plot that is set out before you and evolves right under your nose until it is a great, and complex novel. This book really shows the evolvement in fantasy writings since the Lord of the Rings. An overall great novel

Rating:
Summary: A great example of what fantasy writing has evolved into.
Review: A great novel protraying a complex and awesome world of fantasy that takes place and evolves smoothly thoroughout the novel and brings you to suprising conclusions and graphic endings. It reall y is a great example of what fantasy writing has evolved into since to Lord of the Rings. An overall great novel.

Rating:
Summary: Terrible!
Review: I usually like Brooks' work, but this was just aweful. His novels seem to get worse each year. Go back to his first 6 or so books and they are gems. This is just trash. Sorry to sound so negative, but I really am disappointed with this change in Brooks.

Rating:
Summary: Not what I expected
Review: Being an avid Brooks reader I was thrilled to hear of this book. Once I realized the subject I was very skeptical. Even though I started reading with this skepticism I was quickly drawn in like I always am with Brooks stories and enjoyed it thoroughly. I think it was just a matter of letting go of the expectation and opening up to new characters in a new story. I would recommend this book.

I do miss Landover and Shannara though!