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.
Helpful Score: 1
Terry Brooks spins a web that keeps you going through the book and waiting anxiously for the next
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.
Helpful Score: 1
A bit long-winded, stumbling and halting in some places for me -- Brooks has a tendancy to go over things a bit too much, in my opinion. A very well written book, however, and I would definately recommend it to any serious science fiction lovers. It has all the makings of an epic :)
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.
Allanon with strange Druidic powers, reveals that a Warlock Lord is plotting to destroy the world. The only defense is a sword which could be used only by atrue heir of Shannara,Shea Olumsford. Now Shea flees with evils minion, Skull Bearer following
Typical fantasy. not bad but not great.
A great escape read, perfect for teens and older who enjoy fantasy without too much intensity.
This book was my very first "written for adult age" book. I read this when I was in fifth grade, and enjoyed it immensely. I continued on to read the rest of the series and enjoyed each of those as well. Many people say this is a rip off of TOTR, however, I disagree. Yes there is a quest, but most Sci-fi books have one if you think about it, so no, it is a completely different story.
I read this book so many times that it tore in half right through the binding, and literally had to purchase a new one.
If you like fantasy, this is a good read.
I read this book so many times that it tore in half right through the binding, and literally had to purchase a new one.
If you like fantasy, this is a good read.
I always wanted to read this book, but I thought I'd missed my chance. Finally found it on PBS, and now I'm looking for the rest of the series. A fantasy classic.
Great story.....can't wait to read others in the series. This book has a different cover than pictured.
Great book...I had trouble putting it down. I recommend it to all.
One of my favorite series...great book!
This is a great book. I loved the whole series and have gone on to read his others. It's a good trilogy to start with.
I enjoyed this epic fantasy. I especially liked the way Shea, Flick, Hendel, Balinor and others face trials in their quest to find the Sword of Shannara.
Stephanie M. (QuiltedKnitter) -
I have loved this story since it first came out, just after I graduated from High School. I highly recommend this trilogy (followed by Elfstones of Shannara and Wishsong of Shannara) to those who find "Lord Of the Rings" too difficult to read. While some disgruntled readers claim it to be a ripoff of LOTR, it was just the most popular of the epic fantasy novels, a genre that was coming into its own at the time.
somewhat long but an engrossing epic fantasy
I found this book extremely predictable and dull. Half of it is spent describing the landscape, and the other half is spent on every single deliberation that could ever cross all of the character's minds. Over, and over, and over.
This is a great series, you'll enjoy reading all of them, check my list as I have a few others that belong to this same series! :D
Terry Brooks is my favorite author of fantasy and this, his first novel, is one of his best.
Never read it, but I think any fantasy reader would like it.
