Rating: 
Summary: First half steals, second half shines
Review: I barely got through the first half of this book because of its lack of originality. Almost every element of the plot was borrowed, probably unintentionally, from Tolkein. Shea and Flick (Frodo and Sam) leave their protected Shady Vale (the Shire), being hunted by wraithlike minions of the Dark Lord. The elfstones, like the Ring, reveal the bearer's position to the Dark Lord. A company made of men, dwarves, and elves joins together to travel with Shea (the Ringbearer) to find the Sword. Shea is poisoned and must be rushed to a the Anar (Rivendell)where are healed. Allanon (Gandalf) leads his company into the Hall of Kings, a cross between the Mines of Moria and the Paths of the Dead, where he fights a powerful monster that was aroused from the depths by their passing. Later Allanon fights with another creature, both fall into the abyss, and later Allanon reappears alive. Huge armies of Gnomes and Trolls are assembled by the Dark Lord just as Orcs are gathered in LOTR. On the plus side, the second half of the book brings up a lot more original ideas. The subplot with Panamon Creel and Keltset was absolutely delightful, and gave me the only true emotional feeling of the whole book. Terry Brooks writes well, but much of it has been written before and, sorry to say this, better.
Rating: 
Summary: In the best of the Shannara series
Review: This is in the very best of the Shannare series, although still not quite as good as the Elfstones. Well, why is it so good? Their are obvious similarities with Tolkien, but that can be levelled at most fantasy except, say, George RR Martin. The plot is basically a long belived dead evil dude awakens , and as usual the heros must go on a quest to stop him. Brooks creates a delicate world, which is believable and well described, Descriptions of places and people are such as to make the world realistic. Where he excells is in two ways. Firstly, the characters are well drawn in my opinion and very likeable. i would be prepared to state that most readers have a character they like and enjoy reading about. Secondly, the battle at the end is well sketched, and exciting. Most readers will enjoy that battle. Generally an enjoyable read, and no real complaints can be levelled- while not a classic, this is still an excellent book.
Rating: 
Summary: Expanding where Tolkien left off... and that's a good thing
Review: This book is a marvel and a much needed success for the fantasy genre. The Tolkien series was 30 or so years prior and wasn't exactly a success until the '60s, that notably being in select circles. People don't always realize that although Tolkien was a master he couldn't bring fantasy to where it is today. Brooks managed to do that with this particular book. Why was it such an instant success? Many things can be attributed to that answer. To put it simply, Brooks paints a wonderful, rich and detailed scene at the outset. He creates a character, "Alannon" that is mysterious and quietly powerful which intrigues the reader. Two unsuspecting young men also endear the reader to this novel. "Shea & Flick", are brought into a swirling set of events that catapult them into a destiny that was preset for them centuries before. Their comfortable lives are interrupted and that is where the story begins. Shea and Flick aren't exactly warriors and are tedious characters to read being as they don't have typical epic fantasy demeanors. I.e., rough exteriors, swords and the perfect body. This is where Menion Leah comes into play. His character adds to the adventure for the reader and helps to achieve a quest that otherwise wouldn't be possible. This book is quite a marvel in its timeless story telling and molding and progressing of the genre. A must read for any fantasy fan. Also a good book to start reading fantasy. One thing I would change though. It could have had better editing. There are about 100 pages of really nothing essential to the story and makes it a chunk of the book that is more irritating than not. All in all, I liked it and will certainly read it to my grandchildren by the fire on stormy nights.
Rating:
Summary: Pollyanna
Review: What a wonderful story about having a positive attitude, something often times missing in people today. The inspiring tales about Pollyanna's life as an orphan were heartbreaking and at the same time hilarious. Reading this story helped me to understand more about missionaries, (The Ladie's Aiders), and the sacrifices that their families make. Pollyanna's effect on her Aunt Polly was encouraging, what a change a positive attitude can make in ourselves and those around us.
Rating:
Summary: This is the best Fantasy novel I have ever read!
Review: The Sword of Shannara by Terry Brooks is the best book I have ever read, a mix of originality and convention.
As with most fantasy novels, the plot is about a dark, soulless creature, who is a great threat to the world. A young and unlikely hero, who wishes he was someone else, and a faithful companion, must seek an ancient sword which revels truth - the Sword of Shannara, and destroy Brona, the Worlock Lord.
But the book also has sub-plots, with the attacks on Tyrsis, ventures into dark, dangerous places and the changing of characters.
Some think that this book is a mere copy of the Lord of the Rings, an attempt to wring money from its readers. Though I respect these veiws, I believe it is not that att all. Though many of the characters and parts of the plots are the same, I believe each idea was originial. I read the Lord of the Rings first, and then the Sword of Shannara, which I do not regret one bit.
Finally, if you don't want to read this book, don't bother. However, if you want a decent fantasy novel, I strongly reccomend you read it!
Rating:
Summary: Fun read, but very cliche...
Review: After reading (or watching) J.R.R. Tolkien's Lord of the Rings trilogy, Sword of Shannara is just too similar for comfort. It almost feels like Brooks sat with the trilogy and rewrote it. However, the characters are pretty good, unless you don't know anything about them, as is the case with Durin and Dayel, the Elf brothers. Even Shea, the main character, is somewhat of a mystery at the end of the book. I felt that some of Brook's characters were too "borrowed" and shallow. I enjoyed Keltset, Panamon Creel, and Menion Leah the most, probably because they were unique and interesting characters. The plot is very predictable; you know exactly who they will supposedly "lose" on their journey and how every battle and every escape plan will turn out. The ending was a bit surprising and abrupt, but overall gave a nice, finished feel to everything, although knowing what happened with Menion and Shirl and Dayel and Lynliss would have been nice. In any case, it's a very easy read, that doesn't take too long, despite the length of the book. It's a nice setup for Elfstones of Shannara, and is a book I suggest spending perhaps two days with curled up in a comfy chair with a cup of lemonade reading.
Rating:
Summary: Subject to Revision Later
Review: I am sorry to say that I was unable to finish this book. Back in the seventies when this type of fantasy novel hadn't been done to death there may have been more appeal in it, but now it is sadly part of a corner of the genre that many people are tired of. Terry Brooks has a way with words, I'll give him that, but this book was written in the height of the Lord of the Rings revival, and it shows. Whether Brooks was trying to cash-in on the Tolkien phenomenon or the obvious parallels to the Lord of the Rings were completely unintentional, I am not sure; but as a fan of Tolkien's work, the similarities took too much away from the book to make it enjoyable. The 'dark lord against reluctant heir to the throne of the good people both trying to gain magical artefact before the other' plotline was worn out last decade and The Sword of Shannara is testament to that fact.
Aside from that the people and places aren't developed sufficiently and especially in the case of the places, it is hard to build up a picture in the mind. The characters have obvious similarities to those in LOTR, especially the dark stranger Allanon (frankly if Gandalf and Aragorn from LOTR were crossed, Allanon would be the result). If you are planning to read this book I suggest you read it before you read anything by JRR Tolkien and then some of these annoying things can be overlooked. Nonetheless, Terry Brooks remains stalwart as a writer of the fantasy genre - remember this was only his first novel after all.
Rating:
Summary: You can't take your eys out of this book!
Review: Do you think "Lord of the Rings" is getting a little boring now, and you feel like you need another fantasy? Well, don't hesitate to grab this book and open to page one! The Sword of Shannara is a complete series of adventure, mystery, and most of all excitment! Powerful forces of good and evil fight to the death with the outcome becoming apparant towards the end of the book with thrilling hand-to-hand combat. I thoroughly enjoyed this book because of its excitment and combat and adventure. At first I had doubts about this book because it was very slow at the beginning. As I got into the book, I uncovered the great excitment hidden within the book. Soon I was hooked like on "Lord of the Rings". Terry Brooks brings to life trolls, elves, dwarves, gnomes, and druids. He also describes well places from peacefull villages to beautiful castles on a bloody battlefield. I found myself comparing "Lord of the Rings" to "The Sword of Shannara". Instead of the evil Lord Sauron, you have the evil sorceror Brona. Tolkein fans may be put off by their similarities, but you really have to read both stories to see what I mean.
Despite the similarities, "The Sword of Shannara" is a worthwhile book. "The Sword of Shannara" has been my first Terry Brooks experience and definately not my last. I recommend this book as a great book.
Rating:
Summary: Rip-off? I think not!
Review: I first heard about "Shannara" when it was recommended to me by a friend. At first I wasn't sure if I was going to read it and now I am so glad I did.
Many people have said the Terry Brooks is rip-off from "The Lord of the Rings", but I disagree. Even though these stories are similar in some fashions, I have found that I enjoyed "Shannara" much more. Brooks's writing style was much easier to read and understand, he just tells the story and he tells it well. I found I could visualize Brooks's characters and settings much clearer.
I suggest this book to anyone who enjoys a good read.
Rating:
Summary: important in its day.
Review: I read this when I was a child and enjoyed it a great deal. I recently returned to it as an adult and found it wanting. Fantasy has progressed so far since then that this story on the whole feels tired. One of the first books to real make an attempt at playing with the fantasy quest as Tolkien had written it, "The Sword of Shanara" was important in its day. The same material has been revisited so many times and so much better that is just outdated. Brook's writing is not that strong and the characters are in general cliches. There are a few good ideas in here but not enough to make this really worthwhile. If you are going to read classic fantasy read Tolkien (whose work still has not lost its impact) or read someone whose taken the fantasy novel to new heights like George R. R. Martin. I will say that the next two books in the Shanara series are much better (Brook's writing improved immeasurable between this and "The Elfstones of Shanara") and if you plan on reading those it is a good idea. To read this first. Its not terrible there are just better things out there.
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