The dead druid, Allanon, once again influences the future of the Ohmsford family. In this book Wren Ohmsford is charged with returning the elves to the four lands by the druids shade and so begins another adventure for the heirs of Shannara. Fans of the earlier books will find no cause for complaints in the latest installment, but, neither will they find any surprises. Brooks' sticks to the tried and tested formula of his earlier novels which can lead to dissapointment, some of the characters and their motivations are just too similar to those in the earlier books. On the whole the book is a, well written, time filling read but nothing that will set the world on fire unless you are a genuine fan. However, Brooks does try to vary things by taking the majority of the story away from the four lands to a new setting which breaks any tedium slightly. In summary, a good read for Brooks admirers but little more than a stop gap for others.