Rating: 
Summary: Now THIS is what Fantasy is ALL about!
Review: The Sword of Shannara came out in 1977, but I waited a whole year before a friend of mine challenged me to read what was (at the time) the largest book I had ever opened. I wasn't much of a reader at the time, but what little I did was mostly science fiction, and I didn't really have any kind of interest in fantasy whatsoever. However, it was a challenge I took, and one I am truly glad I accepted. This was the book that seriously hooked me on a lifetime of reading. It was JUST what I was looking for, but I didn't realize it until I started to read it. I will always love books, and Terry Brooks novels in particular, but if it weren't for his original novel, I'm not entirely sure I'd be a reader today.In the Sword of Shannara, we learn of Shea Ohmsford & his brother Flick in quiet Shady Vale in the Four Lands...an area virtually sheltered from the rest of the Country, and one where manifestations of dark magic rarely (if ever) come to light. But one day the peace that Shea & Flick have known all their lives is suddenly shattered when Allanon, last of the magical Druids stops to talk specifically to Shea about his bloodline and how he is the last of the Shannara line who can wield the fabled Sword of Shannara against the Warlock Lord. One of the reasons I LOVE this novel was the beginning where Allanon relates a great deal of history of the Four Lands and the creation of the Sword to destroy the former Druid, Brona. The story is quite detailed all without losing the urgency for the need of Shea to act quickly. Reluctantly Shea takes off on the adventure of a thousand lifetimes to help rid the world of the Warlock Lord on his quest to subjugate all within the Four Lands. The Elfstones is personally my favorite of all the fantastic Shannara novels. If you read the original Sword you know that the Elfstones were given to Shea Ohmsford, and subsequently passed on down until Wil Ohmsford now has them. Again Allanon makes an unscheduled surprising visit to convince young Wil that his help is absolutely VITAL to help in banishing the hordes of demons who are about to pour into the Four Lands. What many just don't realize is that the sacred tree, The Ellcry's was created thousands of years before by Elvin Magic to banish the demons behind a magical wall called the Forbidding. The Ellcrys is finally beginning to die out, and chooses one of its caretakers to go on a quest to restore it back to life...all with the help of Allanon and Wil Ohmsford and the Elfstones. This quest is simply fantastic. Allanon makes his most visible appearance in the Elfstones helping to lead an army of Elves against the onslaught of demons breaking free of the failing wall of the Forbidding into the Four Lands. The battle scenes are incredible and tremendously entertaining. Simply one of the greatest Fantasy stories in print in this, or any other generation. The Wishsong is mighty close to the Elfstones, but falls short by a tiny margin. Again a decendant of the house Ohmsford is asked (again) by Allanon to assist in helping the Four Lands battle a new incarnation of evil. Mord Wraiths have control of the Ildatch, ancient tome of evil magic, and are using it to poison the Four Lands, beginning with the Eastland. This time our protagonist isn't a man, or even a boy. SHE'S an Ohmsford, but Brin is anything but your typical girl. She was born with the gift of the Wishsong (or curse, depending on how you look at it). Brin & her younger brother, Jair have this gift, which manifests itself differently in each of them. There are many memorable characters introduced in the Wishsong, including Slanter the Dwarf, Garret Jax the Weapon's Master and Kimber Boh (yes, related to Walker Boh, future Druid). Both Brin AND Jair begin a journey to help destroy the Ildatch -- but separately -- Brin believing she left her young brother home, and Jair believing that somehow he MUST help Brin otherwise her quest with Allanon is doomed to fail. ALL 3 stories are incredible tales told to near perfection. Recently I read an interview with Terry Brooks when he was asked if he is a better writer today than he was when he first started 25 years ago. He responded by saying, (in effect) 'I'm a better writer, but not necessarily a better storyteller' and while his writing improves with each tale, he has been hard pressed to improve upon his first three books. Epic Fantasy done RIGHT... THIS is what Fantasy is ALL about.
Rating:
Summary: The Best Fantasy Book on the Planet!!!
Review: The Sword of Shannara is definitely one of the best books that I have ever read in my life! I don't know how anyone could ever hate this book. Brooks has invented some pretty interesting characters that I loved to meet, and journey with them to their final destination. He also has accomplished a story line that would shame a lot of today's fantasy writers, with plenty of twists and turns to keep you on the edge of your seat. There is just so much in this book, that I can't put all of them on this page. The list just wouldn't fit! All I can say is, READ IT! I promise you won't regret it.
Rating:
Summary: amazing
Review: This book, and all the books Terry Brooks have done, are simply amazing. like a mixture of Tolkein and contemporary fantasy, they've entertained me since childhood, and even now as an adult.
Rating: 
Summary: SCORE: (B+)
Review: This is a good read, it is a beautiful epic whose true force lies in the poignant details of its characters, richly detailed, woven into a wonderful tapestry. You all so get three books in one, a good bargin, and a good story for teen readers. OVERALL SCORE: (B+)
READABILITY: (B), PLOT: (B-), CHARATERS: (A-), DIALOGUE: (B-), SETTING: (B+), ACTION/COMBAT: (B-), MONSTERS/ANTAGONISTS: (B-), ROMANCE: (B+), SEX: (n/a), AGE LEVEL: (PG)
Rating: 
Summary: Its good but don't waste your time
Review: This is an ok book but it basically follows a common fantasy storyline "a small town nobody turns out to be the only one that can save the world" but without introducing anything new. The book just is missing memorable characters and origanal ideas you just don't get pulled into the story at all. this book may have more pages than the lord of the rings but the lord of the rings has more on the pages, so if your thinking of reading these books i would suggest just picking up tolkien it will much more worthwhile.
Rating:
Summary: Great reading
Review: This is the best Terry Brooks book I have ever read only because it had a little more suspense any of the other ones. Not to say that the other Brooks books aren't good, actually quite on the contrary, I think that all his books are excellent and should be read by anyone who is looking for a good read. So after all that blathering on and on, this is a very good book and I would recommend this book
Rating:
Summary: Excellent fantasy from an excellent writer
Review: This was my second time through the Shannara books and although the first book didn't quite hold up to my memory the other two were even better the second time around. For fans of fantasy these three novels serve as a great follow up to reading the Lord of the Rings and are well worth the price. The only criticism I have of the writing is that at times the dialougue seems a bit flat. However, this gets better as the series goes on. I had the privialge to meet Mr. Brooks this last September and get this book autographed by him. In addition to signing books he also took time to do a short reading, a question and answer time and talk with every customer. His signings are just as highly recommended as his novels. For any fan of fantasy this is a must read.
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Summary: Meant to be similar
Review: Tnoyes, The Sword of Shannara was meant to be "similar" to LOTR. The publishing company, Del Rey, was purposely looking to start a new fantasy series that would pull in LOTR fans with a story they could be familiar with. So on that level, it was successful. Brooks gave the publisher what it wanted. An interesting note that some readers may not fully realize is that the SOS actually takes place in the future. I don't understand the problem with refering to characters by other descriptions/names at times, such as "the giant druid" and "the Highlander." Tolkien had about five different names for each character in LOTR. If you could keep it straight there, this was a piece of cake.
Rating:
Summary: the sword of Shannara
Review: When I first read the Sword of Shannara about 20 years ago, I was 13 years old and already a lover of fantasy. I had struggled through The Lord of the Rings but was not quite old enough to fully appreciate that saga. The Sword of Shannara was different story (heh). It was much easier to get into and enjoy than Tolkeins world, but that by no means is an indication of simplistic writting and plot. No, this was a heartfelt, intricate tale of sorcery, struggle and redemtion that kept me glued to it's pages until I finally turned the last one.
This book transported me to a masterfully created world full of peril where heros I could related to fought against the forces of evil even when the odd were heavily againt them. It was a world of magic and mystery and my youthful imagination ate it up! Fantastic stuff for a young teen looking for a little escape from the pressures of school, friends and family.
I went on to read more of Terry Brook's Shannara books, but the first will always be my favorite. The Elfstones and Wishsong were very good, but Mr. Brooks seemed to fall in a creative rut after those. I'm glad Elfstones and Wishsong are part of this tome, they are the core "Shannara" experience. The books to follow were enjoyable, Brooks could always create that sense of danger and suspence and the characters are fun to get to know, but in the end they seem to follow the same formula as the orginals.
I have revisited this book a few times since that first reading and enjoyed it as much as that first time, though in different ways. I could go into detail about the characters and subplots and writting style and so on, but I think you would be much better served to pick up a copy and read it for yourself, and discover the wonder for yourself. This book made a huge impact on my life, and I hope it will on yours.
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful, not perfect, epic fantasy
Review: Yes, it's dense. Yes, he breaks rules. However, this is a richly detailed work which is rewarding to the dedicated reader. In fact, Terry Brooks is one of the best at atmospheric detail and can genuinely put you in the world. Sometimes it is to rich, and less dedicated readers will fall off. I do take offense with the ad hominem statements about Terry Brooks. If we say only literature professors can become writers, we will have a short list of very boring books to read. A previous review that attacked Mr. Brooks for his -motivation- to write the books has little knowledge of Mr. Brooks' life. Stop it and stick to the story. These stories are filled with wonderful lessons for the younger reader, though the writing is probably too difficult for those under 15 or so. Parents need not worry about needless or glorified death and destruction. While there is some death, it is not glorified or graphic. Instead, the important themes are about truth, honor, honesty, and courage. Good stuff in my opinion. Don't listen to those telling you the writing is bad. I am guessing they are the hack and slash crowd looking for a speedier kill. Neither is it derived from Tolkien more than other great books. Yes, there are elves, dwarves, and goblins, but this is a post-apocalypse tale. In fact, another series by Brooks (Knight of the Word) is really a pre-apocalypse story and the two will converge. In summary: Very good writing, only mildly derived, wholesome themes (sometimes a little moralistic), very deeply detailed description, dense and wonderful. Keep this in mind as well, the second book in the trilogy is far better than the first. Even the author acknowledges this. The Brooks-haters are in the minority. For evidence, go to Ebay and try to buy a HB FE Sword of Shannara on the cheap.
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