Knight of the Word (Trolltown) (Mass Market Paperback)

Basically, it starts off with there having been a pause of a few years between the horrifying events in book 1 and the present.Nest is growing up and becoming famous as an athlete whereas John Ross has seemingly disappeared.John Ross whom we know and love as the tortured knight of the Word; John Ross ,tormented forever with the images of a world already lost to the Void everytime he sleeps, is happy again. Happier than he has ever been, we find him employed, delirious with work and having the loving embrace of the woman of his dreams. He has finally settled down to live again, refuting his calling as a Knight in the service of the Lady and Word; he no longer confronts the evil reality of his dreams but instead, believes himself free once more. However, a demon more powerful and wicked than any before has come to stalk him and soon ,John Ross must lose his soul forever! Summoned by the Lady, Nest sets out to warn him of the impending danger but instead meets a defeated man, a man who has lost everything to deception for the price of happiness he cannot have, a man dead already for he has lost his first love!

This is a complete book in itself like its predecessor but seems to address more solid issues with a grace and clarity that astonishes one.

Suspiciously sounding biographical at times, Brooks has once again skillfully woven a story that stands equal with others of its genre,continuing his simple theme of light against dark, with a storyline that is simplistic and stark yet reassuringly rewarding to the keener-eyed reader.Albeit good entertainment for an afternoon on the couch (for it is a brief story), it is nevertheless a difficult book for the more serious minded of us as it poses some very disturbing questions with no clear answers.For within this slender volume,Ross must question the very purpose of his existence,and like so many of us before him,come up short.We see him fight the good fight despite the sheer futility of his actions,for Ross sees the future;in the end ,he knows it is all for nothing. Yet he goes on, one weary step after another, willing himself with an almost superhuman effort , to continue a hopeless struggle. In following John Ross' travails, one instantly feels a myriad of emotions: sorrow, hopelessness, pity, weariness, pain ,anguish and sometimes,even joy, all the sweeter for its rarity. We admire him, follow him , love him even for his quiet strength but to be him? Never! Oh no, not in a million years could we ever wish ourselves to be him! And so,John Ross remains alone, a Knight of the Word.

It is a wonderful book, and certainly worth a second glance for its unique perspective of one man's purgatory.A book of great significance!

The book is an easy read. The premise is good and the characters well developed. The idea of John Ross, a Knight of the Word, losing faith in his vocation is fascinating. The now grown up, Nest Freemark's efforts to convince Ross of the danger he is in is also enjoyable.

Ultimately, however the ending lets a nicely written book down. The ending can be predicted by page 200. While better then "Running With The Demon", don't expect great things.