Rating: 
Summary: Great (what do you expect?)
Review: This, like all of Brook's Shannara series books, is wonderful. I am glad that Brooks took the opportunity to write this prequel. It gives the reader a look into the past and into the characters and ancestors that started the story that continues through the Shannara series. The characters are very well developed and rich, without the droning on and on with descriptions that some authors fault. You learn little bits and pieces at a time about the characters and story that continually make you go "Aha! So that's why....." Moves along at a great pace and keeps you wondering, but with enough hints that you wait for the characters to find out if what you are anticipating is right! There are also plenty of "I didn't see that coming" moments. I recommend the entire SHANNARA SERIES for anybody who is looking for a wonderful fantastical world to read about. However, read this book in the order of publication - don't read it first.
Rating:
Summary: Great book read this review!!!!!!!
Review: In this fabulous book, one of Brooks best, the outcast druid, Bremen learns that the rebel druid Brona, the worlock lord,is building an army to destroy the druids. Bremen then tries to the tell the rest of the druids but they send him out. But a few believe him and decide to go with him. The group then goes to the hadeshorne, aplace where the dead rest, to talk with the dead. The dead give bremen 4 visions. Bremen alone goes back to the druid keep only to find them all dead. Now he and the rest are left to warn the rest of the world and prepare them for what lies ahead. Bremen then goes to work to find the soon-to-be maker of the talisman which will destroy Brona.
Rating:
Summary: My First Shannara
Review: First of all, let me just state that I am so incredibly sick and tired of EVERYONE comparing Tolkien to Brooks. Yes, the writings are similar. Brooks has even stated in the past that Tolkien was an inspiration. But, the two are different. There are those that like Tolkien and those that don't. I personally do not. I find his fiction to be boring, drawn out, and highly unpalatable. I'm sorry if this offends some of the Tolkien aficionados out there, but guess what, some people in this world do not share your apparent narrow minded view...HEAVEN FORBID!!!! I had to fight through Fellowship 6 times to eventually finish it. Now, onto The First King. As a prelude, this book was not all that bad. It continued rather well in the same vein as the rest of Brooks' Shannara series. He did an excellent job with staying within the pre-determined guidelines of what he had already hinted at in his other books. Personally, I thought Bremen's end was a little anti-climactic, but that was the author's personal choice. All in all, not too bad of a novel. I the way that he continues to tell a marvelous tale of fantasy and wonder. If you are a fan of the Shannara series, you will like this book.
Rating: 
Summary: Average, Predictable....
Review: I listened to the audio version of Firstling of Shannara, and while I enjoyed the narration, I found the story a little boring and predictable. For some reason the plot just failed to grab me. In the story there are elves. There is a dwarf. There is a druid muttering some mystic mumbo-jumbo. They are out to find/forge the sword of Shannara, and everyone is reluctant. Reluctant to become involved, reluctant to believe, reluctant to wield the sword properly. Reluctant to fall in love. Relationships are passionless and handled poorly. The three major romantic relationships featured in this book are quite dysfunctional. Tay loves Preia, Preiea loves the king Jerle, the King loves Tay's sister who is married, Merrith loves the ranger who is supposed to be 40+ years old? Ech. The only person I actually really liked was Bremen. I felt sorry for him and the pain/sacrifice he bore at times. But the rest of the characters had as much personality as department store mannequins. Look. If a story is going to have romance in it. Make it ROMANTIC. The romances were hasty and very contrived. Not quite up to par with the rest of the books. And what's with all the female character's being called 'girl'? The author refers to Preia as 'the elf girl' and Merrith as the 'druid girl' but the male characters are all called 'men' come on now. These characters are WOMEN. Lets call them such, shall we?
Rating: 
Summary: Pretty craptacular
Review: If you're a fan Tolkien's the Lord of the Rings trilogy you'll certainly love Terry Brooks' First King of Shannara and the other books in the trilogy. The First King of Shannara is probably my favorite Shannara book; it explains the history of the rise of the War Lock Lord, the Druid histories, and the Sword of Shannara - and of course my favorite character Allanon. I couldn't put the book down!
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