Rating: 
Summary: Decent Enough Fantasy
Review: I picked up the Sword of Shanara recently for some light summer reading. Is it up to par with Tolkien? Well, no, but I've yet to come across a book that's equal to J.R.R.'s The Lord of the Ring Trilogy. Overall I enjoyed Sword of Shanara, but before I get to some general praise, I'd like to focus on some of my concerns.Yes, the setup to Sword of Shanara seems awfully similar to Tolkien's epic. The similarities are too obvious to ignore, and the similarties go beyond--as another customer review noted--the whole good vs. evil thing. Here are some obvious examples. Shea Ohmsford=Frodo Baggins; Flick Ohmsford=Samwise; Allanon=Gandalf; Balinor=Aragorn; Hendel=Gimli; Durin and Dayel=Legolas; Stenmin=Wormtongue; Orl Fane=Gollum; Skull Bearers=Nazgul; The Southland=The Shire; Tyrsis=Gondor; The Sword=The One Ring All of this is moot of course if the tale can capture the attention of the reader. I really don't mind a book that borrows its structure and character types from another work if it can hold my attention. Also, to give Brooks credit, the similarites to Tolkien do start drifting away about halfway through. But how successfully does Sword capture its readers? My main complaint, also voiced by another customer, is the lack of depth given to any of the characters. This lack of depth ultimately caused me to occasionally "drop out" of the text. At times I'd be reading attentively; other times I'd be fighting to make it through each sentence. We're told, for instance, that Durin and Dayel are elves from the Westwood, but neither truly come alive on the page. Remember how much Tolkien made us believe in his elves, through snippets of their language, their songs, their cadences, their idiosyncrasies? THIS is what Shanara lacks. I would have no idea that Durin and Dayel were elves except for the fact that Brooks has plainly stated so. Ditto for Hendel the dwarf. Ditto for Evantine, an elven king of such respect that his name will go down in history! I had no sense, upon finishing the book, of Evantine's true awe. Again, borrowing from another customer review, Brooks tells more than shows. I truly believe that half (probably more, actually) of what makes a fantasy book successful is its ability to create an alternate world so vividly that the reader must accept it and believe its reality. This is where Brooks falls a bit short. I wish he'd spend more time fleshing out his characters. As it stands now, nearly all his characters are one-dimensional and wooden. Allanon may be based on Gandalf, but he lacks Gandalf's "roundness." There are points to praise, however. The plot is fairly straight-forward, a welcome relief after trying to fight my way through the myriad of convoluted plots and sub-plots of Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time books. Also, the last 200 pages of Sword, dealing with the seige of Tyrsis and Shea's confrontation with the Warlock Lord are surprisingly well-done. I wish Brooks would've devoted as much time and detail to the rest of the novel. Lastly, Shea's confrontation with the Warlock Lord has an interesting twist that attempts to deconstruct the usually cliched "final battle" garbage that has become commonplace in so much fantasy. If you're looking for an entertaining read and can handle the borrowed structures and paper-thin characterizations, I recommend this novel.
Rating: 
Summary: The first and still one of the best
Review: This book is very important for me. I started it in the last days of 1996: I was 13 then and I hadn't seriously read a book for more than a year. Then I found this and my whole life changed- I became a full-time reader. I liked every moment of it. The Sword of Shannara is a long novel, but you'll read it in no more than four days if you really like it. Many people compare it to Tolkien's Lord of the Rings but, although the plots and characters may be similar, the first book of Shannara is not a mere copy of LotR. Tolkien's book is far too long and very boring after The Fellowship of the Ring, too ambitious, too different from reality, with its cold, noble, inhuman characters and its disappointing ending. The Sword takes you to a smaller but still unforgettable world. Allanon, Shea, Flick, Menion and the others are men like me and you, with their doubts, their inner troubles, their weaknesses- this makes them much more fascinating than Gandalf, Frodo and Aragorn, not to mention the fact that Brook's novel may be a little slow at some points, but NEVER boring. Although I prefer The Elfstones of Shannara, this is not a book you can miss. They say The Lord of the Rings is the book of the century, but in my opinion it's been greatly overrated. Don't be fooled by Tolkien's fame and buy your copy of The Sword of Shannara as soon as possible.
Rating: 
Summary: A fair effort
Review: I just finished this book today. While I am not in love with it, and in all honesty I had to make myself sit and read through some of the sections because they just weren't that gripping, I will say that it is a fine debut for an author who would hopefully improve over the years. The storyline, derivative as it may be, was fine with me, although it does seem that Brooks sometimes lightly tosses around characters (particularly Allanon), having them pop up and quickly exit at convenience. It was also hard to empathize with many of the characters' emotions. This is more a result of over-writing than a lack of writing; Brooks seemed to be aiming for a rather baroque-ish descriptive style, but the vitality just isn't there. Many of the expository paragraphs drag too far, numbing the reader's mind and slowing down the action too much. Nevertheless, despite its flaws, this book did manage - on occasion - to evoke an emotional response (a smile here, misty-eye there - especially towards the end). It's hard not to like Flick and Shea's characters. Now that I've closed it, I'm glad I read it, and I intend to continue to its sequel. Had Brooks cut down on a lot of the unncessary passages, and made the book about 200 pages shorter, it would have been much more concise and engaging. As it stands, however, it is worth a read if you're a fantasy fan. It is not without its charm.
Rating:
Summary: Tol:::ah-choo:::kien
Review: The story starts in the Shire, oops, I mean SHADY VALE, where two brothers begin a quest for the fate of the land they live in. Well, this story is WONDERFUL!!! The characters are great and the plot is, well, fun..the only problem is, it is EXACTLY like Lord of the Rings. I mean, basically it's the same plot with a little twist and some name changes...let's see:
Shea=Frodo
Flick=Sam
Menion Leah=Aragorn
Balinor=Boromir
Durin+Dayel= Legolas
Hendel=Gimli
Eventine=Elrond
Shirl= Eowyn/Arwen
The characters encounter mines, water-dwelling monsters, there's a battle like for Helms Deep..the "fellowship" gets separated...oh, there are Nazgul too (he calls them "Skull Bearers"). I love this book! But, it's like the generic brand, "Tolkien Processed Cheese-Food". Similar packaging, similar taste, only you don't get the almighty story-telling genius of Grandpa Tolkien. This book is great fun though. It reads fast and it's part of a series that holds your attention. Terry Brooks is a gifted man, but the story really is much too similiar, a watered-down version of Tolkien's epic masterpiece.
Rating:
Summary: Simply cannot put it down!
Review: I read this book the first time almost 20 years ago. I picked up a copy recently for some airplane reading on a long business trip, and found the magic had not diminished in the least. The first time I read this book I was in high school, and after starting it, I read for almost 10 hours straight because I simply could not put it down. I even resorted to faking an illness to get out of school the next day to finish reading it. Terry Brooks has a style of writing that brings pages and people to life in a clean, always flowing, manner. The only aspect I found difficult is that the story splinters about halfway through the book into several different storylines occurring at the same time. This was difficult because one storyline would be so gripping I would find myself wanting to skip ahead and continue the story thread I was in. The book just flies by, and while Tolkien might spend five paragraphs describing a particular place (with a breathtaking result), Brooks inspires a similar response with an economy of words. The story has enough plot twists and turns to keep you on the edge of your seat, but it is his development of the lead characters which got me hooked. The story involves the pursuit of a magic sword by some rather unprepared heroes (Shea and Flick), who must find this sword and save the world from evil forces. In this story the heroes are aided by some occasionally one-dimensional warriors and friends, and battled by the usual fantasy world creatures like trolls, gnomes, and spirits. While the other members of the group all have significant skills and represent the best of their races, the two heroes are depicted as "regular guys" who do not understand their significance in the battle for the future of this world. Therefore, they often react as a "normal" person would and in such a way as to make the book seem even more real, and more engaging as a result. A truly wonderful book, and a great hidden message in the power of the sword, and the faith required to use it. I love all of Terry Brooks work, but this book is in my opinion his best. Pick up a copy and enjoy, you may not be able to put it down, and at over 700 pages you do get your money's worth!
Rating: 
Summary: sucked
Review: the book was awful even though i didnt really read it but from what i read and heard it was really bad
Rating:
Summary: An action-packed Tolkien rip-off
Review: The Sword of Shannara was my introduction to the world of fantasy. Until the day that my dad recommended this 726-page behemoth, I had never read a book longer than 200 pages, and I NEVER read for fun. By the time I had finished the first chapter, though, I was thoroughly engrossed in the fabulous world of Terry Brooks. I eagerly went on to read every book he ever wrote. For those who have never read any fantasy (or are limited to Harry Potter), then this is an EXCELLENT introduction. The more sophisticated reader will find it lacking, however. The characterizations are weak, and the plot is extremely straight-forward. Terry Brooks got much more than a little inspiration from Lord of the Rings. The Sword of Shannara is basically Lord of the Rings with more action. But those who like tons of action in their novels will enjoy Sword of Shannara much more than Lord of the Rings. The question really comes down to this: how sophisticated do you like your novels? If you prefer Robert Jordan, George R.R. Martin, and Robin Hobb novels, then you will find Sword of Shannara lacking. But if you prefer David Eddings, Terry Goodkind, or J.K. Rowling, then you will find The Sword of Shannara to be an excellent read.
Rating:
Summary: The Sword of Shannara - Pretty good..
Review: When i picked this book up, i expected yet another Tolkien clone which seem to have become so popular recently. However, i was really surprised when all the original ideas that Brooks had rose to the surface. The basic story follows a young man named Shea and his brother Flick, as they travel north to destroy a evil spirit creature, formerly known as Brona, with a motley crew of friends and allies led by the mysterious Druid Allanon. It is Allanon who has scented the danger to the Four Lands and who informs Shea that he is the rightful heir to the power of a sword (the weapon of the title) that can destroy the Dark Lord. Sounds familiar i know, but although the story itself may not be anything too original, it is that which keeps the reader so caught up with the tale. Brooks takes a tried and tested formula and adds to it his own blend of realistic story telling and likeable characters, particular the charismatic Menion Leah. Mixed with beautiful imagery which help the reader form a firm picture of what the company sees and goes through as they travel, Brooks has brought together all the vital components for a great fantasy story.
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful, but sometimes dense
Review: The Sword of Shannara is all of the things that the negative critques have said, at least at first. When I first read it, I was in high school and it was assigned. The description and depth of the story lost me. I became bored and lost interest. But then something happened. That summer, I was bored (even more) and began to re-read it. This time I was sucked in. I have finally determined the problem. It is far more intellectual than most stories in this genre (I am primarily a fantasy fan). Terry Brooks seems to think that the best way out of a jam is to use your brain, not your sword. (Imagine that). The hack and slash crowd will probably find this book tedious. I found it enriching. The protagonist Shea is not powerful, he is courageous (though he is brave in his persistence). Allanon does provide the powerful hero, but even he is flawed. Those who stick with Mr. Brooks and dedicate themselves to the story will find one of the richest and most noble fantasy stories of all time. Those who want blood and battle really need to go elsewhere. Shea must overcome his -inner- psychological barriers to survive. He learns that his greatest barrier is himself. As a young man, I took many life lessons from this book. I think that all young people should read this, just as they should read Tolkien. It is all about doing what is required when is is difficult and when easier pathways lie all around you, even when you think you will fail. it is about doing the right thing because it is -the right thing. Some of the things I want my young son to be are clearly reflected in Shea. If he enjoys this and identifies with such personal strength, I will be happy. Read this, but be patient with it.
Rating: 
Summary: Forgettable
Review: This was the first book I have ever read by Terry Brooks. I found it to be a rather boring read as his descriptions of places and things are quite long and unnecessarily involved. I liked the first quarter of the book but then it became so boring that I truly don't remember anything after about page 150. I am planing to read the 2nd book in this trilogy just to give this author another chance, but honestly, I am not expecting much.
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