I just have to copy what I say about EVERY Terry Brooks book because I think he is one of the best. I cannot imagine anything swaying my opinion. I once had the opportunity to meet Mr. Brooks and he graciously took the time to sign every book I had, somewhere in the neighborhood of 25 books. He did not just sign them, he made each book's title page something special with a different message on each one. As a result, I would read - and enjoy - anything Mr. Brooks published. You might say I am a bit biased. So...take this with a grain of salt. This one was truly a standout. The character development is exceptional, bringing the story to life and making every moment resonate. The pacing of the narrative is perfectly balanced, keeping me hooked from start to finish. Overall, this is an excellent book

"Forgiven; embraced; remembered."

"It all came down to Aleia Omarosian—the first of the Chosen, the original Ellcrys, but also the one responsible for the theft of the missing Elfstones."

I'm with Arlingfant Elessedil. When Ellcrys really chooses you run from the scene screaming. After all we know what happened last time.
Who wants to turn into a rooted tree even if it does live for age upon age?
Arlingfant and her sister Aphenglow Elessedil are of the Chosen who live at Arborlon and tend to the tree Ellcrys. The tree that maintains the barrier between the Four Lands and the Forbidding. But Ellcrys is dying and needs a successor.
Ellcrys has chosen Arlingfant.
"You will carry my seed to the Bloodfire and immerse it and then return to me, and through you I will be renewed and the Forbidding will hold".
Arlingfant knows what this will mean for her!
Aphenglow knows about the elf stones and knows that these might be all that stand between her sister and her frightening future. The search is on. Aphen also knows that she and her sister are linked by heredity back to Aleia Omarosian and that this is not coincidence.
Once again Brooks had me wading through a sea of unbelievable action, a quest for the magical Elfstone, the terrifying Forbidding and the race to save the Four Lands. The choices to save the four lands and block the creatures from the Forbidding is growing slimmer. A maelstrom of relentless action from the opening pages.

A NetGalley ARC