Helpful Score: 4
Overall, i enjoyed this story and would recommend it to anyone who enjoys fantasy adventure stories. However, i kept finding myself being thrust out of story by the authors writing style during the fighting scenes. I can't think of any accurate way to describe it other than "long and droning". I could only complete this story by skimming over those parts.
And i was surprised that no other reviewers mentioned the stark influence that Lord of the Rings had on this story. I'm sure some readers will be put off by the seeming "rip off" but despite the similarities in the stories, they have their differences and Shannara is definitely worth a read.
And i was surprised that no other reviewers mentioned the stark influence that Lord of the Rings had on this story. I'm sure some readers will be put off by the seeming "rip off" but despite the similarities in the stories, they have their differences and Shannara is definitely worth a read.
Helpful Score: 3
This very predictable tale was a most enjoyable and entertaining romp through the many travails of a small band of adventurers trying to save their land from an evil force. I found it wonderfully entertaining and fun. The author is able to insert his characters in an extraordinary number of impossible situations and then save them with inventive and entertaining solutions. Delightful if you enjoy magic, adventure and excitement.
Helpful Score: 2
This is one of Terry Brooks' earliest works, and it shows. The story line in many ways parrots Lord of the Rings'. Also, he's given to waxing poetic about everything, which gets old. I think it could have been condensed quite a bit and been a very good book; as is, the last part of the story was entertaining and the first, I stuck with only because I love Brooks' later (much improved) works.
An excellent work of fantasy fiction which has since spawned an incredible series of other books by Terry Brooks as well as provide a platform for other writers of the genre due to this book's success. It is easy to forget that in 1978 there was a lot of hardcore scifi in the market and the films at the time were Star Wars out the year before (1977) and alot on TV. This was a big departure at the time and a big risk for Del Rey that paid off huge for them. This book has its haters but as a first time fiction that helped revive an entire category of reading, it can't be passed up.
Side note: The original cover was drawn by the Brothers Hildebrandt and had 4/c plates instead if memory serves. I must dig out my old copy! Highly recommended.
Side note: The original cover was drawn by the Brothers Hildebrandt and had 4/c plates instead if memory serves. I must dig out my old copy! Highly recommended.
Helpful Score: 1
I had a very difficult time getting through this book. It took me three tries to finish it! I'm afraid I don't think much of Mr. Brooks' writing style or storytelling.
