The Sword of Shannara

Rating:
Summary: Better than a 10.
Review: The Sword of Shannara is truely a classic. I read this book when I was is Jr High, back in '88, and it is the single reason that I am now intrested in reading. Brooks captivated me with his characters and his story. As with all of the Shannara book, it has a fast pace story line that keeps you "on the edge of your seat". The ending of each book is simply a begining of a whole new story. You fall in love with each characters and feel the emotion as if you were there. If you have never read the Shannara books, start with The Sword and enter into a whole new world of action, excitement, passion and romance...the world of Shannara.

Rating:
Summary: A little harsh there guys, let's take another look at this.
Review: First of all, let's get something straight, Brooks and Jordan both copied the basic storyline of J.R.R. Tolkein's brilliant, magnificent "Lord of the Rings." While, in the process both Brooks and Jordan lost some of the classic Tolkein magic and imagery such as the original enigma and mystery of Gandulf etc. Also, let's take into account, this is Brooks' first attempt at fantasy, which is a difficult genre to start out in. Take a look at some of Brooks' later works, such as, "The Elfstones of Shannara", as well as Wishsong and the heritage series, although I highly recommend avoiding the Landover series altogether. If you read some of his more recent stuff, you'll see a vast improvment as far as character development and plot twisting. Brooks uses some of the great elements of fantasy (some of which he took from Tolkein) he transforms into a brilliant world-builder, he gains a deeper understanding of human nature and the creation of original plot:). Brooks' later works demonstrate his maturity into a wonderful, griping author who lears how to correctly use his showy-realistic-styled narrative. I greatly enjoyed even, this intrepid stab at writing by Brooks' most likely because I've so thouroughly romanticized Tolkein's work. So hang in there, fantasy-lovers because Brooks truly evolves into a extraordinary author and some of the history needs to be recalled to understand plot twists.

Rating:
Summary: Can you hear the clang of steel?
Review: I was eighteen when I first read this book. I got it from my brother. It's set a thousand years after the race wars that segregated the various races, Man, Elves, Dwarves, Trolls, and Orcs, into their various lands. It's the story of the Olhmsteads. Frick and Shane, who are brothers, but Shane's half-elven. He's the last descendant of the Elven King Jerle Shannara.

Rating:
Summary: Awesome book!
Review: I never knew that reading could be so exiting. A must for all fantasy fans! Check out the "Elfstones of Shannara" that book continues great writing by Terry Brooks!

Rating:
Summary: Okay but boring
Review: I really didn't like this book, but not really for plot reasons. I don't care if somebody uses an old well-known plot, as long as he does it well. That is what made this book not enjoyable for me. I did get through all of it, but it took me a month (amazing for me, since I rarely take even a week to read the longest of books). Obviously some people think this book is wonderful, but it just didn't have that magical quality.

Rating:
Summary: One of the best fantasy that I have ever read!!!!
Review: I am very hard to please when it comes to my reading and Terry Brooks did it. I started the book on a Monday morning and I was finished with it by Tuesday afternoon. I could not put the book down. I have read it 7 times since then. Each time a new book comes out in this series, I have to read them all over again one after the other. I recommend this book to anyone that enjoys fantasy. All of his books have kept me enterained for hours. Keep up the good work Terry.

Rating:
Summary: A bad form of Lord of the rings Deja-Vu
Review: Brooks world and plot completely resurrects Tolkein's Lord of the rings, with only minor differences (The Ringswraiths are copied 1:1 as skull bearers, for example). Unfortunately, Brooks naive writing keeps me detached from the characters, and makes me indifferent, although the plot do contain some catching elements. No Tolkein suspense or excitement here, and the 700+ of pages seem too much to take. Not to mention that all of Tolkein's drawbacks are present here (Shallow characters with almost no emotion except fear, unreal characters, etc.)

Rating:
Summary: A grand adventure in the style of Tolkien
Review: Since it's publication, people have loved or hated the Sword of Shannara. Those that hate it dismiss it as a copy of Tolkien's Lord of the Rings. It's true that the plot line is very similar. But while I am an avid fan of all Tolien's Middle Earth books, I simply feel Terry Brooks, while emulating Tolkien, surpassed him. The Sword of Shannara is the single best fantasy book I've ever read. It's grand scope and near hopeless struggle is tremendous. It's a great sword and sorcery book.

Rating:
Summary: Next to Robert E. Howard, the best fantasy author ever.
Review: Sword of Shannarra is just simply one of the best books I have ever read. I liked the characters,the storyline, the pace the story moved, action, just everything! Terry Brooks has a certain magic that most authors seem not to have when writing fantasy. I highly reccomend this book.

Rating:
Summary: Great Book! If you like Brooks or Tolkien, READ THIS BOOK!
Review: Everything about this book is great. It is long, but well worth the time spent reading it. You won't be bored, or disappointed with the ending.