Knight of the Word is the second book in Terry Brooks’ newest trilogy. The first book is Running with the Demon and the third, due out next month (October, 1999) is Angel Fire East. The trilogy is a classic story of good versus evil. In this case, the good side is called The Word and the evil side is called The Void. Both the Good and the Void have people fighting for their sides, knights and demons, respectively. This trilogy revolves mostly around two main characters: Nest Freemark and John Ross and their fight to keep the Void from upsetting the delicate balance of power.
In this sequel, which takes place five years after the first book, Nest Freemark travels to Seattle to warn John Ross of his impending death. John had turned his back on The Word because a year earlier he could not prevent the massacre of several innocent children in a school gymnasium. The leader of The Word approaches Nest and implores that she persuade John to return to his promise before he is swept into the dark side of the Void.
What appeals to me to most about this series is that Brooks has broken from his time-tested fantastical stories of Shannara and Ben Holiday’s Magic Kingdom. Here is a trilogy set very clearly in the present which deals with the epic struggle between good and evil. The characters are as strongly written as any of Brooks’ characters and the plot line is very well scripted.
Terry Brooks has created yet another winning story. Personally, I can hardly wait for the conclusion to this masterfully crafted trilogy.
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