A Knight of the Word

A Knight of the Word takes place 5 years after the events of Running with the Demon and one of the things I liked about it was how the characters have moved on. Nest has gone off to college and has kinda lost touch with her old life, like a lot of folks do in real life. Her one true friend remains Pick, the six inch sylvan twig man that keeps balance to the magic in the park. I like how Brooks shows her dealing with these feelings, it's very natural. The roles here are flip flopped from "Demon", in that this time it's up to Nest to go to and help out John Ross, who's lost his faith. The main thing I liked about this book was how sympathetic Ross was. You just start to feel bad for the guy, the things he's gone through and had to endure. More than one man should ever have to. This makes his fall from faith all the more believable and real, in fact, considering the event that triggers it, I'm forced to admit that I probably would have too were I him.Throughout the book, Ross deals through this problem. He can't just give up, it just doesn't work that way. It's just amazing watching him ignore the totally obvious signs and warnings that he can't give it up because he's blinded by his new life and how good he feels and how right it feels to him. It's amazing, because I've seen people do the same thing in my life, so this book kinda hit me personally there.The mystery of who the demon is is kind of easy to figure out, and not too much of a shock when it reveals itself, but that's of little consequence, what is of the most consequence is how it effects the characters in the book. You knowing makes it that much more painful knowing how it'll probably effect Ross. And let's not forget poor Nest, how does she go about helping this man who she has mixed feelings about. But she does, and her relationship with Ross develops further (not in THAT way, you sickos! :). A complicated relationship it is, but a real one that will stand the test of time. Of course I would be remiss to go through the review and not mention Two Bears! This guy is just plain cool, I could probably read a whole novel on Two Bears, but I'm afraid that would undo what is so cool about him.And let's not forget Terry Brooks, who has created two characters in John Ross and Nest Freemark that I will probably remember for a long, long time. Plus, he weaves an excellent story around them that deals with important issues such as friendship, strong characters, and the whole homeless situation, which you can see he has some real concern about (and rightly so!) So, in conclusion, Terry Brooks continues to do no wrong in my book.

This book was wonderful. It expands on a story that was already a complete masterpiece. Our friend Nest has gone off to college and must return home to take care of some family business. Her powers have improved with age and a demon is stalking her unbeknownst. John Ross has gone through some turmoil which is expected with a character of his depth. Questioning his convictions, John resigns his post as a knight of the Word. At least until Nest argues him from that path. Some good excitement and unexpected revelations make this book a must read. As I said before, even for the non-fantasy fan. Read this book!

I read this book and am just absolutly enthralled with the vivid scenes and the continuity of the story line that Terry Brooks has created. The setting is very close to home as I live in the Seattle area and have been to the scenes depicted in the book and have since had a very different view of them. Ah well on with the review, John Ross is an reluctant hero/Knight of the Word, his powers and strength granted to him by beings out of legend, the power has crippled his body and soul yet he must answer the cryptic visions with action and be transformed by the magic to battle the demons that are taking over Seattle WA. After a long period of self imposed exile from his service to the Word John Ross finds himself haunted and hunted by the very demons he had pledged his body and soul to destroy, when the demons start to destroy all those things that John had come to believe as his true release from his duties as a Knight of the Word He falls further into the despair that made him renounce the power and magic and the demons know that he isn't free of the power and they are attempting to drive John to such despair that he will join the side of the Void, for A Knight Of The Word would be a great prize and would add the power of the Word to the side of darkness and unspeakable horror for human kind. John Ross needs help and it comes to him in the form of a friend, a young woman named Nest Freemark. Nest also has power to wield given to her as a birthright from her father a demon of the Void and her grandmother a servant of the Word. All in all this book is a good read one of the best I've read in over 20 years and one of the Top 10 favorites I've read from Terry Brooks in the past 10 years. I can't wait until the next in this series.

This book could be one of Terry Brook's best books. I loved his Shannara series, but this book changed my mind about his new series. I suggest that you read the book. It combines basic fantasy with the ways of today. Purely ingenious!