Rating: 
Summary: Ah yes, I remember how great this was!
Review: Just for fun as I was putting around Amazon, I thought I'd take a peek at Terry Brooks' works again. All my life after orinally reading J.R.R. Tolkien, I'm a 34 year old successful entrepreneur now, I've sought to find an equal to the master storyteller Tolkien. I've stumbled upon a few, but none to surpass him yet...so far I'd have to say #1: "The Fellowship of the Rings" Trilogy, #2: The "Shannara" series, and #3: the David Eddings series. They are all great escapes when you need one, though it has been a while since I've read them. I hunger for more. Some reviewers complain that the others are all ripoffs on Tolkien, but I think we all need to admit, what did we want after finishing Tolkien? More, more, more! So these are the next best substitutes, n'est pas? And they are good. Look at really old maps of the British Isles and you'll find how Tolkien was inspired with his names.I welcome any recommendations for further reading.
Rating: 
Summary: Interesting, though lacking originality
Review: I thoroughly enjoyed the "Sword of Shanarra" which I found to be quite interesting and full of excitement. I would have to admit, however, that the book seemed to be greatly influenced by Tolkein's writings, although lacking Tolkeins superior writing style. Many of the characters, places, and ideas have parallels in "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy. Despite this fact, I would definitely reccomend this book to any reader who enjoys fanatasy or just wants to read a good book.
Rating: 
Summary: Shameless
Review: Only Robert Jordan has managed to write a set of longer, more boring novels set in a generic fantasy world. While in the end Jordan turns out to be far more boring than Brooks, at least his "world" shifts from generic fantasy to something slightly different.From the first pages of this book, and every Shannara book afterward, Brooks engages in writing every fantasy stereotype...badly. Many will (and do) enjoy this book. If you are a kid, or a reader who rarely (if ever) strays from fantasy, you may enjoy this. To most others I say, don't believe the hype. Gar-bage.
Rating:
Summary: Incredible at 11yrsold. Pretty good at 26yrs old.
Review: I have just scanned 150 or so reviews of the Sword of Shannara. I felt I may have something to add. I read this book around 15 years ago and probably 20 times since then. It is an excellent read. If you scan these reviews you find people either thought of the book as a rip off of Tolkien's work or simply fell in love with the book. It is easy to tear something apart. It is not as easy to build a world out of thin air. The similarities between the two stories should be overlooked. There is a formula to a successful read and Terry followed it. Not one review I read concerned themselves with where Tolkien got his inspiration and ideas. He along with Brooks drew from the well that was in the past. Brooks should not be persecuted. I give this book four stars. Although this book was an inspiration to me at a young age, I have become a more sophiticated reader and demand more from an author. The Elfstones book still rates high in my judgement. The Wishsong book seemed weak. I believe the Shannara series afterwords was a blatant attempt to wring money from readers. But I don't hold that against Brooks. The publisher,...perhaps. Along with Brooks, I also recommend the following writers, Donaldson,Duncun,Herbert,Rohan
Rating:
Summary: The best of all his books
Review: This book is a masterpeice. The Sword of Shannara is probibly the best book I have ever read. I think that this was the best book he wrote, his others lack the plot and the excitement of this book. I have read all of his books and I think that he should not involve the real world in his books. the Sword of Shannara had the best ending to any book I have ever read with the best twist (the whole sword thing). Over all I loved it and recommend reading it before you read anything else.
Rating:
Summary: Simon Fraknie
Review: Couldn't make it through the first one. WAY too much like Tolkien and i didn't want to destroy my memory of it. Good writing, yes. Origionality, no. Go read the Lords of Dus or Wizards First Rule. Definately more interesting
Rating:
Summary: This book is great, the best story ever, It's Increadible
Review: Terry Brooks sure did make a Masterpiece when he wrote this book. This is the best work of fantasy I have ever read, nothing even comes close, save Robert Jordan's "Wheel of Time." Terry Brooks is a Master at Fantasy, and he is the Authur of the year. This "shannara" series, is a masterpiece, and is certainly one of a kind. Mr. Brooks, thank you for your work in this, it is much appriciated. You are awsome, and I love Shannara. Thanks
Rating: 
Summary: Only "The Druid of Shannara" is worth reading.
Review: I slogged through all seven books. It's all very formulaic fantasy. In the last chapter everything goes "poof!" and the world is back to normal again. Skip the rest and only read "The Druid of Shannara". It takes place mostly outside the plot of the rest of the books, and manages to avoid most of the usual fantasy cliches. It has some very original characters, and bit of tragedy mixed in.
Rating:
Summary: Exciting, vivid in places, not wildly original
Review: When I read this (and the other books in the series) at around the age of 10, I was completely hooked, and thought they were the best books I had ever read (better than Tolkien). Now that I have a bit more perspective on them, however, they don't seem to quite measure up. There are many similarities to Tolkien, although not as blatant as some people complain, but I have to say that they were similarities that kept the story moving and interesting, for the most part. My principle objection comes in the fact that the more books you read by this guy, the more they seem the same (Elfstones being the only exception). Also, while the books can keep an idle reader somewhat interested, they don't exactly support much brain activity. If it weren't for past loyalties, I'd give this book 3 stars. If you want a deeper level of excitement, read Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time. If you want high quality fantasy, read Tad William's Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn. If you the want nostalgia/defining aura of fantasy, read Tolkien.
Rating:
Summary: One of the best
Review: This book is one of the best fantasy books of all time. This book is the book that got me into reading, and I haven't stopped since. Brooks' way with words and colorful characters makes the book enjoyable to read, and the anticipation of what will happen next is intense. I have all of Brooks' books and I always come back to my roots with this one. Brooks truely sreated a masterpiece that will live one as a classic.
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