The Elf Queen of Shannara (The Heritage of Shannara, Book Three) [Mass Market Paperback]

Terry Brooks (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: 1994

Finely tuned and occasionally elegiac, this third volume of Brooks's projected Heritage of Shannara tetralogy follows Wren Ohmsford in her search for the last of the Elves, part of the quest set for her by the shade of the Druid Allanon as her role in saving the world from destruction by the mysterious Shadowen. Wren and her nonspeaking, telepathic Rover mentor Garth find the Elves in their city of Arborlon threatened by monsters they created themselves in an attempt to revive their ancient magic. After Wren's true lineage is revealed--she is a granddaughter of the queen of the Elves--the girl agrees to lead a small band of companions in a desperate gamble to save her people and fulfill her mission. Wren must overcome her fear of the famous Shannara Elfstones and then learn to manipulate their powers if she is to succeed. Meanwhile, her cousin Walker Boh succumbs to his destiny in the ancient Druid city of Paranor, while Par Ohmsford, with Walker and Wren the third of the "children of Shannara," is further endangered by the sinister Rimmer Dall. Brooks's prose becomes more fluid and his world becomes more complex, ambiguous and credible with each volume.

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback
• Publisher: Del Rey (1994)
• ASIN: B00221X9OY
• Product Dimensions: 6.9 x 4 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (54 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,589,603 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Terry Brooks is the New York Times bestselling author of more than twenty-five books, including the Genesis of Shannara novels Armageddon's Children and The Elves of Cintra; The Sword of Shannara; the Voyage of the Jerle Shannara trilogy: Ilse Witch, Antrax, and Morgawr; the High Druid of Shannara trilogy: Jarka Ruus, Tanequil, and Straken; the nonfiction book Sometimes the Magic Works: Lessons from a Writing Life; and the novel based upon the screenplay and story by George Lucas, Star Wars(R): Episode I The Phantom Menace.(tm) His novels Running with the Demon and A Knight of the Word were selected by the Rocky Mountain News as two of the best science fiction/fantasy novels of the twentieth century. The author was a practicing attorney for many years but now writes full-time. He lives with his wife, Judine, in the Pacific Northwest.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Best of All, May 13, 2000

By 

mtg (Lytle Texas) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Elf Queen of Shannara (Heritage of Shannara, Book 3) (Mass Market Paperback)

I first read this book about three years ago only because I had to read a book for my class or get a failing grade. I hated to read, mainly because I never really had. When I was in the school library I wasn't even sure how the place worked. I just walked in and picked a wall of books not knowing it was the fiction part of the place. I can still see it sitting there, it was a hardcover copy and the only reason I got it was because I loved the picture on the cover. It was amazing...it was like being transported into a whole new world. I laughed, and cried throughout the whole thing. When a character died, I felt like a part of myself died as well. After reading it I begged my mother to buy me all of the Shannara books and I read them all in a few weeks. Terry Brooks is the reason I now love to read and I will never forget the first book I ever read...The Elf Queen of Shannara.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars My Second Favorite Shannara, May 7, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: The Elf Queen of Shannara (Heritage of Shannara, Book 3) (Mass Market Paperback)

This is one of my favorite Shannara novels. Anyone who complains about LOTR-esque fantasy not giving women major roles and/or good characterizations should read this. The major character is Wren Ohmsford (although that is not her real name) and it is her charge to bring the Elves back to the Four Lands. Terry spends a great deal of time developing her and her past. We are also introduced to Stresa, the splinterscat (a cross between a cat and a porcupine), one of the most creative creatures to appear in Shannara. Although his hisses and growls are vaguely Gollum-like, he proves to be a reliable guide for Wren as she seeks the other elves and as she leads them back to the shoreline. Another interesting note concerns Garth, Wren's friend/teacher/bodyguard. He is both deaf and mute, a first for LOTR-style fantasy, and shows little if any arrogance that one might expect from one of his strength and stature.
All in all, an excellent masterpiece by Terry Brooks.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Adventure Continues and the Mystery of Elves Is Revealed, April 25, 2005

By 

Joshua Fowler "Joshua Fowler" (Rhode Island) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Elf Queen of Shannara (Heritage of Shannara, Book 3) (Mass Market Paperback)

The Elf Queen of Shannara continues the story started in The Scions of Shannara and continuing in The Druid of Shannara. Even though the book tells the stories of all the scions, the main story is about Wren Ohmsford and her search for the missing Elves. Though, there is an underlining story of Coll and the Sword of Shannara, which is very interesting. But the main story begins with Wren getting a clue to make a fire on the western shores of the Four Lands. She is answered by a member of the flying elves and he takes her to Morrowindl, where it is rumored that the Elves have taken up refuge. After a perilous journey through forests crawling with demons, Wren finally makes it to Arborlon. There it is revealed that she is not an Ohmsford but an Elessedil, a member of the royal family. She also finds out the "painted" rocks she has are none other than the famed Elfstones. After the truth about the demons comes to light, Wren must carry the city and its people back to the Four Lands in an ancient staff, that can only be used once. Also in this book, Walker reanimates Paranor and also comes face-to-face with the Four Horsemen.

This is by far the best in this sequence even though it is all one big story.