Armageddon's Children is the newest novel from one of today's most successful fantasy writers Terry Brooks. Mr. Brooks is best known for his widely popular Shannara series which have helped put the fantasy genre on the literary map. He has also authored the lighter yet equally entertaining Landover series and along the way created what some believe to be his best work the Word and Void trilogy; the last being a much darker style of fantasy with a definite edge. With his new novel, Armageddon's Children the first in a new trilogy, Terry Brooks delves back into this dark world albeit several hundred years into the future.
The premise of the Word and Void books is basically the forces of good or the Word and the forces of evil, the Void, have been waging a constant struggle to tip the balance of power to their own respective sides. In Armageddon's Children the forces of evil have all but won leaving civilization in shambles. Mankind is left decimated with the few survivors trying to eke out an existence by living in compounds in a post apocalyptic world and facing a constant struggle with the more powerful forces of evil.
With the threat of an even larger holocaust brewing, the Word sends forth
Logan Tom, a Knight of the Word, on a mission to locate a hidden magical
creature in an effort to save the human race. The Word also charges Angel Perez,
another Knight, in finding and helping the long lost Elves as they search for a
magic to save their own people. These two story arcs work independently of each
other throughout the book with equal time given to each.The story also follows Hawk a leader of the Ghosts, a group of basically children that have refused to live sheltered lives within a compound. Hawk serves as leader, father figure, and protector of the group. He shares a Romeo and Juliet type romance with Tessa who lives within a compound in what is left of Seattle. This relationship causes many twists and turns in Hawk's life and eventually leads to a desperate conflict. There are several hints along the way that Hawk is set to be a key figure throughout this trilogy.
Armageddon's Children is perhaps the darkest book Mr. Brooks has written. It is filled with images of a destroyed society and a desperate people. Death and atrocities are a part of the everyday life for the characters in the book, and Mr. Brooks does a masterful job at showing the utter devastation and desperation the world has devolved into. It would have been easy for him to go over the top with horrific images and gory details, but instead he uses a more subtle approach which forces the reader to use their imagination. It is expertly done, and adds a sense of grit to the overall story.
This is easily the best novel Terry Brooks has written in years. He has always been considered a master of plot and he definitely shows off that talent with this book. Dialogue has never been one of Mr. Brooks strong points and it is somewhat lacking in the book as well though it is never a distraction. He walks a fine line between being graphically accurate and staying true to his more family orientated style of writing. This is evident when one of the characters uses the term "frickin" instead of the actual less acceptable term. Little items such as this never detract from the story however as the overall writing is superb throughout.
Terry Brooks has been a master of the fantasy genre for going on thirty years. With his new novel, Armageddon's Children, the first of a new trilogy in the Word and Void saga, he continues to solidify his spot as one of the greatest genre authors of his time. With his knack for intricate plotlines and well developed characters he delivers perhaps his greatest novel. He does a grand job of setting the table and wetting his fans' appetites for what promises to be a special series. This book is a must read not just fans of Mr. Brooks but for any fan of the genre.
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