Running With the Demon (The Word and the Void Trilogy, Book 1) Mass Market Paperback – May 27, 1998

It seems several Shannara fans have denounced The Word and The Void simply because it is not Shannara. It sure as heck isn't the Magic Kingdom of Landover, either. It is it's own entity, so just keep that in mind. In terms of a unique and imaginative story, standing apart from Brooks' many other accomplishments, I feel comfortable giving "Running With The Demon" 5 stars.I can't say that I believe Brooks is one of the great authors of our time. As a matter of fact, certain aspects of his writing drive me crazy; he uses the word "anew" a LOT! One thing I really do like about his writing is that he can effectively tell a horror story without spending 3 pages describing the blood and guts. He can write about a moment of affection between two people without dedicating a whole chapter to gratuitous sex. He can get through a 400 page novel with almost no swearing!Something about this story is disturbingly real. It takes place in the present day, in an ordinary community, with normal everyday people. There is an ongoing war between good and evil that is invisible to all but a few. There are creatures of magic who secretly live among humans. There is also an aspect of a very dark post apocalyptic future which is the result of the war between the Word and the Void. The war being fueled by negative human emotion, greed, selfishness, wrath... In other words, Brooks has envisioned a future for which we (YES, I MEAN US, IN REAL LIFE) are laying the groundwork.This book was undoubtedly a slow starter. I attribute it simply to the fact that it is a new story, with new characters, new places, new ideas and it required a lot of plot building. Fortunately, it does pick up. Other reviewers criticized that the story was basic, and predictable. Perhaps so! But still, there is something awkwardly thought provoking about this story... beyond the simplicity of the plot, the way it flirts with reality. Long after reading this book I'm still thinking about people's attitudes and behaviors, as well as all the evil in the world, and what kind of future we actually have to look forward to.Could it be that we are already smack in the middle of this war between The Word and The Void?

I love terry brooks and this was a good beginning to the storyline. I struggled to pay attention though. I didn’t find myself eager to get to the next chapters but I am invested in the next book so I’ll continue. Overall a good read.

This is a novel of Good and Evil, about a Knight of the Word and a demon from the Void. There is a bad ass, ugly maentwrog. It's ten feet tall and weighs well over five hundred pounds, has a wicked tongue and bad breath. Wraith by definition is a spook and an enigma in character. Pick the sylvan who is around 195 years old, is clearly a good guy however, because he says "criminy" every now and then. These creatures manage magic. The magic is uncertain. It dissipates. It might be spent on a lesser evil, or be exhausted while still required, and must be rejuvenated after each use, hopefully before the next need. If you think all this sounds silly, you're mistaken. This is a good story told well.Terry Brooks did not write this story by himself. Sure, he had an idea about what was supposed to happen when he started writing, but then his characters took over the tale and did pretty much what they wanted. In a chronicle of good and evil, we know who is supposed to win, but you're going to wonder. I'm certain even Mr. Brooks didn't know how this one would turn out, because when you let the characters tell the story all hell breaks loose. You ought not to presume the ending; there's a sequel!Nest Freemark, the protagonist, is a fourteen-year-old girl complete with freckles who runs like a bat out of hell. When Nest was very young her mother fell off a cliff, or perhaps she jumped, and her father disappeared before she was born. Nest lives with her grandpa, Old Bob, and Evelyn, her grandma. Grandma smokes and drinks a lot, and she mostly just sits at the kitchen table. "She (Nest) imagined her grandmother sitting alone at the kitchen table in the soft, tree filtered light of moon and stars, smoking her cigarettes, drinking her bourbon, and reflecting on the secrets she hid."Grandma Evelyn is special because she is the only one besides Nest who can see the "feeders," those shadowy, yellow-eyed things that are more a concept than creatures. Nest likes her grandma. You will too, not because she bakes cookies, which she does, but because she's a tough cookie.Old Bob is tough too. He knows that Evelyn has secrets, and during their long life together, she has mentioned the feeders and maybe the other creatures too. Of course, Bob doesn't believe in that nonsense, he's not ready yet, and maybe he never will be. As the story unfolds however, you're going to want to kick Old Bob in the butt to wake him up as to what's happening out there in Sinnissippi Park because Nest is in danger.The spooky stuff works because Brooks' characters are real, even the demon. As the Knight of the Word told Nest, "The demon is not perfect.... He makes mistakes just like humans. He was human once...."Running with the Demon is an enjoyable, suspenseful read.

Without a doubt the best series I have ever read. Terry Brooks has always been one of my favorite authors with his Shanarra series, but he went way beyond with the quality of this book and series. Trust me you won't be disappointed 💯 recommend 👌!!

I haven't read many of Mr Brooks' books, but this one is the one I've enjoyed the most so far. The book's plot is exciting, but the best part of it for me are the characters, especially Nest Freemark and John Ross. They are very likeable, and relatable. The only downside of this novel is that it sometimes goes into way too much detail about locations, and that can be very confusing. But overall, I think it's a great read, and I highly recommend it.

I am finding this a very readable, interesting and enjoyable novel.However, I must point out that I am reading this book from the opposite direction to most, if not all, of the other reviewers. I have never read any of the Shannara novels.While I have been aware of these novels and despite being quite a big fantasy fan I have never gotten around to reading them. It has only been through watching the new Chronicles of Shannara on TV that piqued my interest.After doing some research I have decided to read all of the Shannara and related novels in chronological order. This is set in the mid west of America in current times (Actually from references I would say more 1980's/90's).This novel appears to be covering the opening moves in what, I am guessing here, will be an epic war between magic and technology and I am looking forward to seeing the story of the transition from a high technology world that is Earth as we know it, to that pure fantasy world that is Shannara

Sure, it's a popular book. But I couldn't get into a little girl running around with a talking twig on her shoulder. And it was taking too long to get to anything interesting...if there was anything interesting to come. For fans of Terry Brooks only. This was the 1st book by TB I've read...won't be reading a 2nd.

Nest Freemark ist ein junges Mädchen, das von seinen Großeltern aufgezogen wird und von ihrer Großmutter in die Welt der Magie eingeführt wird. Sie hilft, dass das Gleichgewicht erhalten bleibt. Als der Fremde John in den kleinen Ort kommt, hofft sie, ihren Vater gefunden zu haben.John wird durch seine Träume an Orte geführt, an denen jeweils ein großes Unglück zu geschehen droht. Er muss alles versuchen, dieses Unglück zu verhindern.Die Fantasywelt ist interessant in die reale Welt eingebettet. Die Charaktere sind glaubwürdig gestaltet.Tolle Trilogie.