Book Review: The Sorcerer’s Daughter (The Defenders of Shannara) by Terry Brooks

A new set of characters in Terry Brooks’s famous Shannara series, “The Sorcerer’s Daughter ” follows Paxon Leah, Chrysallin Leah and Leofur Rai, who also happens to be the titular character.

Set almost a thousand years after the original Shannara trilogy, the Four Lands are still recognizable and Paranor still plays a major role in the lives of the people. But, there is also uneasiness between the Druids of Paranor and the leaders of the Federation, the civilian organization governing the non-magical humans. Thanks to Leofur’s father, Arcannen Rai who continually plant dissent between the two factions.

And though this is Leofur’s book, Arcannen Rai tries to steal the show even from his own daughter. His machinations landed the Druids and the Federation in a no-win situation that can destroy the peace. Add the fact that both Chrysallin and Leofur are in mortal danger with Paxon Leah also fighting for his life and Paranor, it did not look like a good day for the Druids.

There are two plotlines in this book, and though it is easy to follow, sometimes it feels that the storytelling is very slow. It can be a very exciting scene for one group, then wham, the next page brings the readers to what is happening with the other group.

Nevertheless, Terry Brooks wove his magic and put everything together in the end, thus even with a dichotomous story, it ended up as one.

A great read for Terry Brooks and Shannara fans. This should not be missed because I get a feeling that we will see more of Paxon, Chrysallin and Leofur in the future.

“The Sorcerer’s Daughter: The Defenders of Shannara” is Rated T for Teens due to SFF violence. There are no sex scenes in this book.