Witches' Brew (The Magic Kingdom of Landover, Book 5) 
asked by pauls on November 24, 2006 10:33 PM
Former Chicago lawyer Ben Holiday was proud and happy. And why not? The Magic Kingdom of Landover, which he ruled as High Lord, was finally at peace, and he and his wife, the sylph Willow, could watch their daughter Mistaya grow.
And grow she did--shooting through infancy in months, learning to walk and to swim in the same week. Mistaya had been born a seedling, nourished by soils from Landover, Earth, and the fairy mists, come into being in the dank, misty deadness of the Deep Fell. With dazzling green eyes that cut to the soul, she was as lovely as her mother, and Ben wanted nothing more than to enjoy his daughter's childhood and his peaceful kingdom forever. But his idyll was interrupted when Rydall, a king of lands beyond the fairy mist, assembled armies on Landover's border and threatened to invade unless Ben was able to defeat Rydall's seven champions.
Some counseled the High Lord to refuse Rydall's challenge, but Holiday could not, for Mistaya had been snatched from her guardians by foul magic. And Rydall held the key to her fate...
And grow she did--shooting through infancy in months, learning to walk and to swim in the same week. Mistaya had been born a seedling, nourished by soils from Landover, Earth, and the fairy mists, come into being in the dank, misty deadness of the Deep Fell. With dazzling green eyes that cut to the soul, she was as lovely as her mother, and Ben wanted nothing more than to enjoy his daughter's childhood and his peaceful kingdom forever. But his idyll was interrupted when Rydall, a king of lands beyond the fairy mist, assembled armies on Landover's border and threatened to invade unless Ben was able to defeat Rydall's seven champions.
Some counseled the High Lord to refuse Rydall's challenge, but Holiday could not, for Mistaya had been snatched from her guardians by foul magic. And Rydall held the key to her fate...
Reviews
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Ben Holiday continues to struggle with the Kingdom of Landover, always seems something's going on which requires his attention. Very well done and may be the best of the series to date. Good fantasy and a an easy, enjoyable read.
If you like books like this one, might I suggest another I've recently come across. The Unsuspecting Mage by Brian S. Pratt. It's another fantasy adventure sure to please. I highly recommend it.
If you like books like this one, might I suggest another I've recently come across. The Unsuspecting Mage by Brian S. Pratt. It's another fantasy adventure sure to please. I highly recommend it.
reviewed by onthemic on November 28, 2006 3:01 AM
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I was a big fan of Terry Brooks' Kingdom of Landover series when the original books came out. Because I was a member of the Science Fiction Book Club, receiving regular mailings, I always saw when the next one came out and made sure I would get it right away. At some point, however, either my subscription ended or I got the series before the final book, Witches' Brew came out in 1995.
I've never read Brooks' critically acclaimed and bestselling Shannara Series, though I did come across his The Word and the Void trilogy and was fascinated by those, but they ended a few years ago. It wasn't until I decided to sell my Sci-Fi Book Club edition of The Tangle Box on eBay that I discovered there was a fifth and final book to the Landover series.
The book was fantastic, to say the least, a very lighthearted fantasy in keeping with the earlier books. I was pleased and enchanted by the book, and it didn't take long for me to remember bits and pieces of the earlier novels as I went along.
The story was entertaining as well, as a stranger calling himself King Rydell of Marnhull comes to challenge Ben Holiday, King of Landover. Ben and his sylph wife, Willow, decide to send their magical daughter, Mistaya, away because of the danger, but the girl is abducted along the way.
Not much heavy reading here, but very much a story to enchant kids of all ages. I would be most grateful if Brooks were to follow it up, but maybe I'll just have to start reading the numerous books of the Shannara series.
I've never read Brooks' critically acclaimed and bestselling Shannara Series, though I did come across his The Word and the Void trilogy and was fascinated by those, but they ended a few years ago. It wasn't until I decided to sell my Sci-Fi Book Club edition of The Tangle Box on eBay that I discovered there was a fifth and final book to the Landover series.
The book was fantastic, to say the least, a very lighthearted fantasy in keeping with the earlier books. I was pleased and enchanted by the book, and it didn't take long for me to remember bits and pieces of the earlier novels as I went along.
The story was entertaining as well, as a stranger calling himself King Rydell of Marnhull comes to challenge Ben Holiday, King of Landover. Ben and his sylph wife, Willow, decide to send their magical daughter, Mistaya, away because of the danger, but the girl is abducted along the way.
Not much heavy reading here, but very much a story to enchant kids of all ages. I would be most grateful if Brooks were to follow it up, but maybe I'll just have to start reading the numerous books of the Shannara series.
reviewed by ozone on November 29, 2006 12:02 PM
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Book 5 was especially creative and kept me interested; much better than the long-winded #4 in this series. Almost as good as the original Magic Kingdom for Sale! Holiday's daughter is an intriguing character and I liked following some of the story through her eyes. What now, Terry??
reviewed by potato on November 29, 2006 2:24 PM
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This one is almost as good as "The Tangle Box," if you can believe it. Nightshade's hatred seems a bit over the top, but I guess that is her character. Again, Ben is confounded by things he can't understand and he doesn't really know what to do, even though it is clear to the reader what is going on, down to Nightshade's sidekick. But the plot is well developed and the mud puppy bit is a great addition! Poor Abernathy. Enough said. Read this one. You really must.
reviewed by learner on November 29, 2006 3:54 PM