Across the ruined landscape that is America - hopelessly poisoned, plague-ridden, burned, and besieged by demon armies bent on exterminating all mortal life - two pilgrims have been summoned to serve the embattled cause of good. Logan Tom has journeyed to desolate Seattle to protect a ragged band of street urchins and the being known as the gypsy morph, who is both mortal and magical, and destined to save mankind unless he is destroyed. Likewise, Angel Perez has her own quest, one that will take her from the wreckage of Los Angeles to a distant, secret place untouched by the horrors of the nationwide blight - a place where the race of Elves has dwelled since before man existed. But close behind these lone Knights of the Word swarm the ravening forces of the Void.

As the menacing thunder of war drums heralds the arrival of the demons and their brutal minions in Seattle, the young survivors who call themselves the Ghosts are forced to brave the dangerous world of gangs, mutants, and worse to escape the invasion. And Logan Tom must infiltrate a refugee compound to rescue Hawk, the leader of the street urchins, who has yet to learn the truth about who and what he is. Meanwhile, Angel Perez has joined an equally urgent mission: to find the Ellcrys, a fabled talisman crucial to protecting the Elven realm against an influx of unspeakable evil from the dread dimension known as the Forbidding. But Angel and her Elven allies must beware - for a demon spy, with a monstrous creature at its command, walks among them.

As the legions of darkness draw the noose tighter, and the time of confrontation draws near, those chosen to defend the soul of the world must draw their battle lines and prepare to fight with, and for, their lives. If they fail, humanity falls.

As the last two Knights of the Word rush off in different directions to carry out the same goal, the Earth continues to fall prey to the demons of the Void. Logan Tom leads the ragtag gang known as the Ghosts out of Los Angeles while, at the same time, fighting his own inner turmoil. Meanwhile, Angel Perez discovers the elves of Cintra and must help lead them to safety before the demons take over. Phil Gigante's depiction of this fantasy is not particularly compelling. The biggest problem is his poor projection of female voices. Further, regular listeners of Brooks's works will find the success of his delivery does not match that of previous narrators. His voice lacks the resonance that fits well with Brooks's tales. L.E. (c) AudioFile 2008, Portland, Maine

 

The last two Knights of the Word rush off in different directions to try to protect the Earth from the demons of the Void. Logan Tom leads the ragtag gang known as the Ghosts out of Los Angeles while also fighting his own inner turmoil. Meanwhile, Angel Perez discovers the Elves of Cintra and must lead them to safety before the demons take over. Phil Gigante reads competently, but his rendering of this work is not particularly compelling. His narration isn't quite flawed beyond his poor projection of female voices, but regular listeners of Brooks will find he isn't as skilled as previous narrators. His voice lacks the sturdy emphasis and deep resonance that fit well with Brooks's tales. L.E. (c) AudioFile 2008, Portland, Maine

 

Terry Brooks published his first novel, The Sword of Shannara, in 1977. It was a New York Times bestseller for more than six months. He has published twenty-four New York Times bestsellers since. Two of those - the novels Running with the Demon and A Knight of the Word - were chosen by the Denver Rocky Mountain News as among the best fantasy novels of the 20th century. Brooks lives in Seattle with his wife, Judine.

The Elves of Cintra by Terry Brooks
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