Rating: 
Summary: Left the Building
Review: When I started this book, I wasn't thrilled. I thought it was going to be another Tolkien, and am not a fan of his. But it wasn't, and I am a major Terry Brooks fan now. I don't care how a writer writes, as long as he can tell a good story, and Terry Brooks is one of the best storytellers ever. After half-way thru, I was gone...."left the building" so to speak...I didn't eat, couldn't sleep, couldn't even think about work...I HAD to finish the book.....it was totally addicting...You are so caught in it, the world around you disappears..you are with Shea...you are trying to help get to the sword!!! If you have never read fantasy, then you need to start with this one. I don't know about the future or past thing....I think I had an inkling that is was way past.... I recommend this book to anyone who can pick it up!!
Rating: 
Summary: Satisfying Page-Turner--Fantasy At Its Best
Review: The Sword of Shannara is my first Terry Brooks experience, and, judging by the impressive and inspiring nature of his debut novel, it won't be my last. This book has all of the typical elements of the standard fantasy novel, but the gripping adventure contained within is anything but standard. While it was definitely a long one, you don't notice it because Brooks is skillful at weaving a tale in which a Warlock Lord, evil spirit ruler and would-be usurper of four lands--inhabited by, what else?, elves, trolls, gnomes, dwarves, a kind of wizard known as a Druid and yes, even man--is present only twice in the book. Yet, your fear for the main characters, because of this awesome and chilling threat hailing from a place known as Skull Mountain, begins from page One.There are a couple of downsides to this book and to the subsequent novels as they appear, though I haven't read them yet. Tolkien fans might find themselves a little put off by the eerie similarities between that epic of all epics, the Lord of the Rings, and the Sword of Shannara. Instead of lovable but courageous bumblers known as hobbits, you have the fallible and slightly ignorant though courageous half human, half elf Shea Ohmsford. Instead of the dark Sorceror Sauron and the destruction of the precious Ring as his downfall, you have the omnipresent Warlock Lord and the one Sword that will defeat him. Instead of Gandalf, the mysterious wizard cloaked in white, you have Allanon, the giant and enigmatic Druid. You unwittingly find yourself comparing both tales, especially if the Lord of the Rings comprises your three "most favoritest" books ever, and I speak from experience. Of course, you would have to read this one to understand fully what I am talking about. The second downside is the complete and utter lack of comic relief or other semblance of humor. In defense of Brooks, the seriousness and page after page of suspense without the standard fantasy insertion of satire or schtick could be held among the new and different. However, I sometimes had to put this novel down just to take a breather from the constant twists and turns. You think Shea and his friends are out of the woods when, all of a sudden, they confront another obstacle, and, sighing with frustration, you think, "Oh my, will it ever end?" Sword of Shannara, though, is a worthwhile read because Terry Brooks richly describes his imaginary world and brings it to life. The reader can easily envision the peaceful village of Shady Vale, the rocky terrain of the Dragon's Teeth, the arid landscape of the Streleheim Plains, the statuesque paradise of the city of Tyrsis, and the barren wasteland of the Northland around Skull Mountain. The epic war described in the novel is told with unmatched sophistication. Even the chacterers, numerous though they may be, can be related to by the reader. This story is a testament to believing in oneself, a coming of age story concerning the most basic of human emotions. Each character represents something in each of us, and it's up to the reader to discern what that something is. The reader is further awestruck and amazed by the fact that this world of magic is meant to be the future of our world, the result of a holocaust or mass destruction like no other. The complexity of the novel is a marvel. I look forward to the second book in the Shannara Trilogy, and I recommend this first book highly.
Rating:
Summary: A Literary Masterpiece
Review: The Sword of Shannara is the first true epic since Tolkien, and surpasses the master in so many ways. Tolkien did not give a valid explanation for his worlds, just that they were other worlds; while Brooks clearly shows that this is indeed placed in the future. More than that, the very epic idea surpasses any other fantasy ever written. The 700+ pages provide ample legnth for, at any one time, up to 4 or 5 journies at once at all parts of the "Four Lands". The way it all comes together to find the true meaning of the sword is the biggest loop I've been thrown for in my history of reading. And that is after reading probably literally hundreds books in my 18 years. Mr. Brooks changed my life and The Sword of Shannara is THE one moment where I was galvanized to say that I wanted to do what he did. As a journalism major and an aspiring writer, I measure every story I have written to The Sword of Shannara and measure myself to the writing of Terry Brooks. This is not to say that I copy him; I don't write fantasy. And from the looks of it, I'm not the only one who he's inspired such. View the guestbook [...] and you'll see his influence on the world.
Rating:
Summary: Terry Brooks...the only author comparable to Tolkien
Review: I deeply respect and admire Terry Brooks, a man who dissed a career in Law to take-up a quill and parchment. His writing is very enticing...his words draw you into the story, and you cannot escape his world. Tolkien got me through Middle school and Terry Brooks helped me survive High School, although I must admit I read Tolkien again and again--however, Terry Brooks is the only author I feel that I can mention beside the name of the master. This novel is not a "Lord of The Rings" nock-off, it is completely original. If you are looking for copy-cat stories, you should look else-where--although, the series does contain some of the same creatures and humanoids (sort-of), they are very original and exciting. I agree with the Future scenario, because of certain buildings and such that are encountered during the journey....our world devastated and rebuilt with Magick. One aspect of Brook's series that I feel very attracted to is the character Allanon, a Druid that sleeps for centuries or decades and awakens when he is needed. I have always felt a strong connection with this character.... Interestingly, this mysterious character guards a secret Storehouse of Knowledge and strives to save humankind from the Demonic Forces that want the world to live in Ignorance and Despair.
Rating: 
Summary: Generic copy cat claptrap
Review: It is with alarm I read the 'rave' reviews that this novel gets, from what can only be severely addicterd fantasy fans. I first encountered 'Sword of Shannara' as a young university student (yes, I had a first edition on my shelves!). Like any hard core fantasy fan, just seeing the cover sent a delightful shiver up my spine - another world to explore, another reality to sink into for a whole afternoon or evening. And it looked to promise sequels, even then (they weren't the foregone conclusion back in those days as they seem to be today). So I settled back, having parted with an obscene amount of money (Amazon didn't exist back then, neither for that matter, did the internet!) ready to slake my thirst for a time. Might as well have gargled with sand as thought I'd get a good read! Terry Brook's characters and plot so blatantly resembled Tolkien's Lord of the Rings that it's a wonder there weren't charges of plagiarism leveled. But, fantasy as an acceptable genre was creeping out of the closet and there weren't many guides. 'Lord of the Rings' was the bench mark. If you are going to write fantasy, who better to imitate than the master. But, oh for some originality! Eddings 'Belgariad', Jordan's 'Wheel of Time' Octology (is that a word?) and many others have all explored new territory with the worlds they create, the ideas they explore. They also know how to put words together, they are wordsmiths. Guy Gavriel Kay is a master in this respect. Sadly, Terry Brooks is not. His prose is clunky, his originality non existent. At the dawn of the mass fantasy market and its acceptibility on the bookshelves (in open view!), he could have broken new ground. Instead, all he broke was my bank account. Spend your money on something worthwhile, not this dud.
Rating:
Summary: the most thrilling book i have ever read
Review: THE SWORD OF SHANNARA IS PROBABLY THE MOST THRILLING BOOK EVER PUBLISHED IN THE FANTASY FICTION LINE. THIS BOOK HAS EVERYTHING TO KEEP YOU GLUED PAGE AFTER PAGE, THE FRIENDSHIPS, THE GOOD VERSUS EVIL, MORALITY, EVERYTHING. IT EVEN SENDS A FEW POLITICAL MESSAGES. IF YOU ONLY READ ONE BOOK IN THE FANTASY FICTION LINE. I PROMISE YOU WILL COME AWAY A FAN FOR LIFE AFTER READING THIS ONE. WHEN I CAN'T FIND ANYTHING NEW TO READ I GO BACK TO SHANNARA.
Rating:
Summary: fantastic
Review: This book is an epic tale of the search for a magical sword necessary to the defeat of the all powerful warlock lord and all of his minions. "The Sword..." chronicles the tale of humans, dwarves, gnomes, elves, all types of evil beings, and a druid's search for the talisman. Extraordinarily good at keeping the reader interested and guessing in this lengthy but fantastic book was the author's goal and he achevieved it with honors. Some people argue that the sequel of this book is better than this but I strongly disagree; a work of this magnitude has never before been written by anyone. MaybeI'm a little biased, but this book is the one that turned me onto the genre, so of course it will always hold a special place in my heart and will in your's too. Get this book!
Rating:
Summary: A Title About Shannara
Review: Awesome book; I was really into that. If you like fantasy, I rate it five, but overall, I give it a four. It gets a little to crazy at times; fantas-tic. Y'know what I mean? I'm not a fan of this sort of book, but I had this one completed in just a few days!
Rating:
Summary: A GOOD BOOK THAT COULD OF BEEN BETTER.
Review: Sword of Shanarra is an exciting epic fantasy. It has great characters and you really get to know them. Although it is good, some parts of the story drag on and become a little formulaic. They go on a journey. Stop. They go on another journey. Stop. Get into trouble. Stop. It's sort of like a telegram. Also, Mr. Brooks sometimes dwells on an idea too long. But these little problems don't stop the book from being good, just from being great!
Rating: 
Summary: Enjoyable, but familiar
Review: I saw this book on the shelves of a bookstore about 15 years ago and thought I might enjoy reading it one day. Well, I finally read it and I'm glad I did. However, there is nothing super-original about this book. The writing style is excellent, with vivid descriptions, and the story is interesting, but I kept thinking while I read it that it was too similar to The Lord of the Rings - as everyone else seems to think also. I guess if I had never read Tolkien's books before I would have enjoyed it more. But the story is so similar that it is difficult not to draw comparisons. I would like to say that I was very sad when I finished reading the Lord of the Rings because I enjoyed them so much that I did not want the story to end. However, I think that this book and the others in the series (hopefully) will be a nice alternative to people who enjoy reading stories set in fantasy worlds.
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