The Sword of Shannara

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Summary: A spell binding book you can't put down....
Review: I've read most of Terry Brooks' works. Despite what others think, I believe his books are much better than Tolkien's. It grips you right away, and the words weave pictures in your mind you can't seem to erase. Once you've read any of the Shannara or Magic Kingdom books, you'll come back for more. Reading it over and over again is good because you find out new things you missed when you were reading it the first time.

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Summary: The Best Series Ever
Review: I have bought all the Shannara books. I wish they would make an animated movie from the series.

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Summary: Not a masterpiece, but fairly entertaining
Review: Brooks lifts quite a bit from Tolkien, right down to some character names, leaving the world of Shannara seeming like a bit of a cardboard rip-off. Nevertheless, the story moves along well and if you're a fan of the Heroic Quest, this might float your boat.

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Summary: A rip-off. But a good rip-off
Review: THIS BOOK IS UNDENIABLY A RIP-OFF OF THE LORD OF THE RINGS. NEVERTHELESS IT IS A GOOD RIP-OFF, ONE OF THE BEST I'VE READ AND BRILLIANTLY WRITTEN WITH ENGAGING AND HUMEROUS CHARACTERS. ALTHOUGH I FOUND MYSELF ANNOYED AT TIMES WHEN THE ONE COULD SEE THE REPRESENTATION BETWENN LOTR AND THIS BOOK. IT IS STILL EXCELLENT

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Summary: why you should read this book
Review: this book is jam packed with adventure, mistery, and plenty of magic. terry brooks is a mast er of the art of literature as you will soon discover if you choose to read this book. once read you'll be HOOKED on the shannara series and won't be able to put it down.

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Summary: A tad unoriginal, but read-worthy simply for the series
Review: I'll tell you what. This book, I believe that it was most-probably written during a time when the classic works of J.R.R abounded, is definitely loaded with "rip-offs". Of course, he tried to be original by making Alannon dark instead of the grey (or white, if you will) of Gandalf...but it's all still there. Nevertheless, the book is still a good read, and the next two as well, because it definitely sets up a great series...The Heritage of Shannara. These four books have a definite life of their own which is even more appreciated when you look back at the T.Brooks of his Unorigianl, yet beginning, days.

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Summary: Outstanding
Review: This book is outstanding. When I picked it up, I had never heard of Terry Brooks in my life. Now I am addicted to his works.

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Summary: A good book, but . . .
Review: Though the "Sword..." was a good book, it is clearly a take-off (to put it mildly) on Tolkien. But, Brooks is a good writer and he pulled it off well. I must admit that I couldn't put it down and I was surprised how fast I read it.

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Summary: In this case, imitation is the vilest form of opportunism.
Review: Market pulp fluff from a shallow imitator. From the cover illustration by the Hildebrandt brothers, who did a lot of excellent illustration for early Tolkien calendars, to the cardboard cutouts that ape LoTR CHARACTERS, to the virtually cloned plot and devices, Brooks takes the lifework of a great writer, historian, scholar and thinker, and degrades it for quick cash and guaranteed serialization. "The Sword of Shannara" is simply a tragically successful play for the market created by artist Tolkien and ravaged by a host of poor imitators. Dreck dreck dreck.

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Summary: Awesome
Review: This book is one one my favorites! However, im shocked to see that noone else has corrected the Amazon Summary.. this novel does NOT take place in the past!! Anyway. Terry Brooks is definatly one of the greatest fantasy authors ever! His characters come alive, i cannot put this book down once i start reading it, even though ive read it many times