The Wishsong of Shannara

The story of The Wishsong of Shannara takes place several years after the events of the previous book, The Elfstones of Shannara. The world has changed since then, and the Four Lands are now ruled by a council of Druids, who use their magic to maintain peace and order. However, a new threat has emerged in the form of the Mord Wraiths, evil creatures who seek to destroy all life in the Four Lands.

The main character of the story is Jair Ohmsford, the son of Wil Ohmsford, who was the hero of the previous book. Jair has inherited the Wishsong, a magical power that allows him to create illusions and control the minds of others. However, he is still young and inexperienced, and he struggles to control his powers.

The story begins when Jair and his sister Brin are summoned to the Druid Council to discuss the threat of the Mord Wraiths. The Druids believe that Jair’s Wishsong may be the key to defeating the Mord Wraiths, but they are unsure how to use it. Jair is reluctant to get involved, but he is persuaded by his sister and his friend Slanter, a Gnome who has also been affected by the Mord Wraiths.

The trio sets out on a quest to find the Sword of Shannara, a powerful weapon that was used to defeat the Warlock Lord in the first book of the trilogy. They believe that the Sword may be able to destroy the Mord Wraiths, but they soon discover that it has been stolen by a group of rogue Druids who have turned to the dark side.

As Jair, Brin, and Slanter travel through the Four Lands, they encounter a variety of obstacles and enemies. They are pursued by the Mord Wraiths, who are determined to capture Jair and use his Wishsong for their own purposes. They also encounter a group of shape-shifting creatures called the Jachyra, who are under the control of the Mord Wraiths.

Along the way, Jair learns to control his Wishsong and uses it to create illusions and distract his enemies. He also discovers that he can use his powers to heal and restore life, which becomes a key element in the final battle against the Mord Wraiths.

The Wishsong of Shannara is a classic fantasy adventure that combines action, magic, and suspense. The audiobook version, narrated by Scott Brick, brings the story to life with his engaging and dynamic performance. Brick’s voice is well-suited to the epic tone of the story, and he does an excellent job of conveying the emotions and motivations of the characters.

One of the strengths of the audiobook version of The Wishsong of Shannara is its pacing. The story moves at a brisk pace, with plenty of action and suspense to keep the listener engaged. However, it also takes time to develop the characters and their relationships, which adds depth and complexity to the story.

Another strength of the audiobook is its production values. The sound quality is excellent, and the music and sound effects add to the immersive experience. The production team has clearly put a lot of effort into creating a high-quality audiobook that does justice to the original novel.

One potential weakness of the audiobook is its length. At over 16 hours, it may be too long for some listeners, especially those who are not familiar with the Shannara series. However, for fans of the series, the length is not a problem, as it allows for a more detailed and immersive experience.

Overall, The Wishsong of Shannara audiobook is a must-listen for fans of the fantasy genre. It combines a classic story with excellent production values and a dynamic performance by Scott Brick. Whether you are a longtime fan of the Shannara series or a newcomer to the world of fantasy, this audiobook is sure to entertain and captivate you.