A Knight of the Word (The Word and the Void Trilogy, Book 2)

Rating:
Summary: Amazing!
Review: I had read Running With The Demon and couldn't put it down...bought this book the moment I found it and finished it within 24 hours. I'm hooked on the series already and can't wait for the next if there is one.

Rating:
Summary: I have high hopes for this one
Review: Do you know how long I've been waiting for another book by Terry Brooks about his magical kingdom?! I've tried to be patient, but it's kind of difficult; I really want this book! The minute it comes out (or as soon as I can) I'm going to the library to put it on order. I CAN'T WAIT!!!!

Rating:
Summary: A far cry from "Running with the Demon"
Review: If you are looking for the action and suspense that you found in "Running with the Demon", you won't find it here. Terry Brooks drastically changed his writing style from the first book in "A Knight of the Word". This book is about John Ross' rejection of his faith. After witnessing a terrible massacre at a school, that he was unable to prevent, John Ross decides that he can no longer be in service to the Lady or the "Word". He returns to Wales to return his staff, and finds that leaving his office is not a choice that the "Word" will allow him to make. John stops acting as a knight in an act of defiance. He moves to Seattle and tries to regain his life as a "normal" human being. Summoned by the Lady, Nest must travel to Seattle to help John regain his faith, and to reclaim his life as a Knight of the Word. The book is mostly dialogue and several of the characters that Mr. Brooks spends many chapters building are not necessary to the story line beyond being peripheral characters. Terry does a good job of building the mystery of the demon's identity right until the very end. However, the trick is to read chapter twenty-four and move on to "Angel Fire East".

Rating:
Summary: A Knight of the Word: Good, but no "Running with the Demon"
Review: I'll admint that I'm a huge Brooks fan. I've read everything I can get my hands on by this wonderful author. I bought "A Knight of the Word" the day it came out and finished it in three days. However, it did not quite reach the same level, at least for me, as "Running with the Demon." Brooks once again in this novel set up a wonderful world of magic and reality that was seen in "Running with the Demon." And again he placed many twists and turns that kept me guessing throughout the novel. However I found that the characters, other then Nest and John Ross, were somewhat bland. In "Running with the Demon," I found myself deeply interested and even caring about most of the characters, such as Gran, Old Bob, and Nest's small group of friends. On the other hand, in "A Knight of the Word" I found myself bored by several characters, including Stefanie Winslow and Simon Lawrence. But my dislike for several characters was only a small sidestep as I read this wonderful novel.

Rating:
Summary: Good story, but not as satisfying as "Running with the Demon
Review: John Ross has renounced his pledge as a Knight of the Word after he failed to save the lives of schoolchildren in a tragedy. He's now working for a homeless shelter in Seattle and trying to build a life for himself.

Nest Freemark is now a college student. She comes to Seattle to warn John that a Demon's after him and eventually will try to seduce him into the service of the Void.

This one's not as much of a page-turner as "Running with the Demon." Interest in what happens to Ross and Freemark is what keeps you reading rather than the plot itself. Overall, a decent followup, but not a thriller like "Running."

Rating:
Summary: Good for a younger reader
Review: I picked up this book for 2 aussie dollars ready for my flight back to the uk, and as far as time killers go i cant fault it. In fairness i would say its aimed more at 13-16 year old readers and the language reflects that, but it doesnt detract from the fact that the story is told well, and maintains a good level of interest. It reminded me of Stephen Lawhead books, which i would imagine most people would agree isnt a bad thing, and some would say just because it doesnt have metaphors which merit an "after the water-shed rating" its not just aimed at younger readers and thats so, but its just lacking that extra bite for my tastes. Still, on a long haul flight,and for 2 dollars, it did me proud!

Rating:
Summary: "Sometimes they Mistake this Need to Possess for Love..."
Review: Even though two stars may seem like a bad rating, keep in mind that it technically means "fair". If stars were a grade in an essay, it would be C+ - a pass, but not a particularly brilliant one. Such is the case of "A Knight of the Word", the sequel to Terry Brooks's "Running with the Demon," a much more rewarding book.

The basic premise is a good against evil plot, embodied in the forces known as the Word and the Void. Both sides have creatures loyal to them, namely demons on behalf of the Void, and Knights for the Word. The present Knight of the Word is a man named John Ross, who lives a lonely existence; wandering an post-apocalyptic future in his dreams in order to find clues and answers to what transpired to prevent it from happening in the present (kinda like "Early Edition" and "Tru Calling" - remember those shows?)

Anyway, after a botched rescue mission that results in the deaths of several children, Ross gives up his calling and settles down to a new life. He has a girlfriend Stefanie Winslow, and they both work for "the Wizard of Oz", the nickname given to Simon Lawrence, a charity worker for homeless people. Meanwhile, the magically inclined Nest Freemark (the young girl that Ross saved in "Running with the Demon") is now nineteen years old and in a rut in her life.

All seems reasonably well, but the Word's messenger, a tatterdemalion named Arial assures Nest that Ross has made himself vulnerable to the Void by ignoring his calling, and only Nest can make him aware of a demon in his presence attempting to corrupt him. Meanwhile, Back in Seattle, an investigative reporter named Andrew Wren is uncovering suspicious facts that may prove the downfall of Lawrence's foundation and Ross's work.

It is a solid enough sequel, but not up to par with its predecessor. I enjoyed "Running with the Demon" immensely due to its environment (the far-reaching parklands) and the supporting cast. Here however, most of the old cast has died or moved on: Cass Minter and Old Bob have died, Brianna and Jared have moved away, and even the cats are gone. Brooks may be attempting to make the situation true to life, but it comes across as rather depressing. Despite the presence of Robert, Nest feels very much alone in this book, with none of the hope and promise that "Running" concluded with.

Likewise, the streets of Seattle just aren't an interesting setting as Hopewell and the park, and the change in scenery deprives us of Pick's presence. Two Bears appears as little more than a cameo, and Wraith has a relatively minor role that doesn't really have much bearing on the overall story.

I found that Nest was the more interesting character out of the two protagonists, though I can't exactly pin point why, and I liked the way the roles had been reversed from the previous book - now Nest is the rescuer. Likewise Arial was an interesting idea (a spirit made up of lost children's memories) and it was fun to see another sylvan - Boot. I do have to admit that unlike other reviewers, the secret identity of the demon did catch me off guard (gimme a break, I was only fourteen when I read it!)

Throughout the story Brooks gives us so many lectures on the plight of homeless people that I seriously hope he takes his own advice and gives generously to the poor. Hey, maybe you should take the money you were going to spend on this book and give it to a homeless fund instead! There's an idea I'm sure Brooks would approve of!

So my main grievance is that it was too far removed from the direction "Running with the Demon" seemed to be going in at its end - this installment is darker and more melancholy. Unless you're desperate for more on Ross and Nest, I would just read "Running" and then go on to bigger and better books.


Rating:
Summary: A far cry from "Running with the Demon"
Review: If you are looking for the action and suspense that you found in "Running with the Demon", you won't find it here. Terry Brooks drastically changed his writing style from the first book in "A Knight of the Word". This book is about John Ross' rejection of his faith. After witnessing a terrible massacre at a school, that he was unable to prevent, John Ross decides that he can no longer be in service to the Lady or the "Word". He returns to Wales to return his staff, and finds that leaving his office is not a choice that the "Word" will allow him to make. John stops acting as a knight in an act of defiance. He moves to Seattle and tries to regain his life as a "normal" human being. Summoned by the Lady, Nest must travel to Seattle to help John regain his faith, and to reclaim his life as a Knight of the Word. The book is mostly dialogue and several of the characters that Mr. Brooks spends many chapters building are not necessary to the story line beyond being peripheral characters. Terry does a good job of building the mystery of the demon's identity right until the very end. However, the trick is to read chapter twenty-four and move on to "Angel Fire East".