The Elfstones of Shannara

Rating:
Summary: Excellent read!
Review: I love this book, it is one of Brooks best pieces of literary genius. I often think on this story when reading all the later novels. Every time the great tree is mentioned I feel a pang in my heart for Amberle, her end was so pitiful (or begining?). I honestly have to say that my eyes teared when I read the last few chapters, and that was first and last time that happened while reading....and I've read alot of books. Sometimes I hope to hear a brief mention of her sacrifice (expected it briefly in the first of the Jerle Shannara books), but alas no such luck. I recommend this book to all fantasy fans, because I know all Brooks fans have read it already, lol. It was for Mr. Brooks his "The Empire Strikes Back".....that end that you feel just shouldn't happen but does, and then makes you crave more. Sorry Tolkien fans, but I just didn't get that kind of feeling from LOTR....forgive me(sin).......lol.

Rating:
Summary: A personal favorite of mine
Review: My addiction to the world of Shannara started a long time ago with the Sword of Shannara (original one with the Brothers Hildebrant picture in the middle) and still continues to this day.

Elfstones has and will always be one of my favorites though. The internal struggles Wil goes through along with the struggles the Elves face with the collapse of the wall that keeps the demons out makes for a wonderful plot and Terry Brooks does a great job in telling his story.

Not many books can bring a tear to my eye but the sacrafice made at the end did the first time and still does with every re-read.

I had a chance to meet Mr. Brooks at a small book signing for Elf Queen. He took the time to talk to me and the others there and has a genuine love for his work and it shows in his writing.

Rating:
Summary: Why do I like this??
Review: This book has got to be one of the most entertaining reads out there. My friends and I all started with Elfstones and there seems to be positive and reoccurring outcome. They all got hooked on Shanara.

Now all the novels in the Shanara series are good but this one's the best!!! It has everything in it. Suspense, Intrigue, Romance, Action and also has one of the most vivid accounts of a full-scale battle I've ever read. On top of this the character development is wonderful and the story itself is quite entertaining.

This is the tale of young Wil Ohmsford, a boy who has some elf in him and is a direct descendant of Shea Ohmsford. Allanon, the Druid and protector of the realms, comes to him and tells him that the Elven tree of life, the Ellcrys, is dying. Wil must find another of it's kind and replant it or the demons that the Ellcrys imprisons will be freed! With the help of Amberle, one of the caretakers of the tree, and his not so faithful ElfStones, they must find the lost plant while fighting through whatever stands in their way. Which lends wonderfully to my next segment, for close on their heals and trying to stop the quest cold in it's tracks is the most stunning depiction and portrayal of evil I have ever seen. The Reaper, as it's known, is one of the most powerful Demons to walk the lands, and it is nothing more than a pure killing machine. Nothing, and I mean nothing, can stop it. Brook's description of this creation is so terrifying and wonderfully descriptive, that it will leave you afraid to turn the lights out.

This book is wonderfully written and it's my favorite thus far in the Shanara series. Where the other books are good this book is great. And the nice thing is, one can read it without having to read any other Shanara books. So if you just want an overall good fantasy book look no further. This one will blow your mind!

Rating:
Summary: The Elfstones of Shannara
Review: This is the tale of young Wil Ohmsford, a direct descendant of Shea, (The Main Character in the prequel). Allanon comes to him and tells him that the elvin tree of life, the Ellcrys, is dying. Wil must replant it or the demons that the Ellcrys imprisons will be freed! With the help of Amberle, one of the caretakers of the tree, they must find the lost plant of the Ellcrys.

This was a great read, but the romantic interest changes at the end. (You'll see.) That was the biggest downer, but most of all Terry Brooks did a fantastic job of storytelling

Rating:
Summary: Poignant, adventurous, and an utterly enchanting
Review: Very highly recommended for school and community library audiobook collections, The Elfstones Of Shannara is the library edition audiobook rendition of Terry Brooks' classic action fantasy saga of a world of elves and imprisoned demons. An ancient enchanted tree-prison holding captive the terrible destructive demons is slowly dying. Only the Shannara Elfstones can protect the elven world from the impending threat of renewed demon onslaught, yet a noble quest to save all faces an implacable enemy - the dread Reaper, the most fearsome of all the demons. Aptly and dramatically narrated by Scott Brick, this classic high fantasy is poignant, adventurous, and an utterly enchanting "theatre of the mind" listening experience. Unabridged, 15 ninety minute cassettes.

Rating:
Summary: A great read, but not worthy of the hype.
Review: I read the Sword Of Shannara last year, and thoroughly enjoyed it. As a natural progression I came onto Elfstones, and as it is widely regarded as A. Terry Brook's finest hour, and B. one of the greatest fantasy novels of all time I began reading with high expectations. In a way the novel didn't disappoint. It was a definite page turner in the same way as the first, with a well structured story and some nice characters. However, when I read people's reviews that mention the phrases 'ground breaking' and 'classic' I can't help but wonder if they have ever read Tolkien? The novel is littered with shades of The Lord of the Rings, and in particular the Two Towers. I won't go into details, those who have read both will surely recognise the scenes, ideas and characters that I'm referring to. But that's not such a huge deal. After all fantasy has many precendents, and any form of entertainment be it film, novels, or music is in a sense always powered by re-invention. No one goes into such forms without having been inspired. Brooks openly acknowldeges the inspiration of Tolkien. My biggest gripe with the novel however comes from the devices that Brooks over-employs in this novel. The 'quest' plot seems to plod along time and time again with the pure intervention of good fortune. With very few exceptions, whenever the lead characters encounter a highly dangerous, or seemingly impossible situation, bang - someone turns up in the right place at the right time to help them. Sometimes this even works against the traits of the various characters they encounter. I forgave this the first couple of times, and in fact didn't even really notice it, till the novel got nearer completion. Then I started to just think 'hmmm, how convenient..'. The lead characters are pretty much constantly carried by others from the start of the quest to the end which is a bit annoying because it stifles your ability to get behind their strengths and characters. It's almost like Brook's needed excitement and then thought 'hang on, how are they gonna get out of this?'. As such they end up being nothing more than pawns carried from one place to another by a series of absolutely astounding co-incidences and good fortune. That aside, this is a great read for all ages - and you will enjoy it as I have - but just take the hype with a pinch of salt.

Rating:
Summary: Brooks' sophomore effort is a triumph
Review: If you are contemplating reading this book, chances are you've already read The Sword of Shannara. Brooks' second effort has two major advantages over his first: this book has an original plotline, and it has some truly incredible villains.

Whereas The Sword of Shannara was largely a Lord of the Rings [...], this book proves that Brooks can come up with an original, engaging storyline. The Sword of Shannara also did not have any real female characters (except a side-character who served as a love interest). Brooks remedies that as well by adding two very strong female characters who more than hold their own against the male characters.

The 3 main villains in this book are thoroughly creepy, and are the true strength of this novel. They get considerable screen-time, and often are the ones pushing the story along. Every scene that involves The Reaper is so excellently written by Terry Brooks that it will have you sitting on the edge of your seat, silently begging the heroes to run for their lives.

If you liked Sword of Shannara, then you should definitely read this book as well. Even if you didn't care for his first work, you should give this one a shot: this book is quintessential Brooks. For those who didn't read it at all, this book is not a bad place to start. There is not too much background, and the necessary bits are all covered. Plus, this book will serve as a much better gauge as to whether you want to read the rest of his works.

This is true hack and slash fantasy. You won't find deep character development or endlessly complex worlds, plotlines, and politics. Fans of George R.R. Martin and Robin Hobb will likely be disappointed by the lack of depth. But anyone who enjoys hack and slash fantasy OWES it to themselves to pick up this book.

Rating:
Summary: A masterpiece of our time
Review: The Elfstones of Shannara is a timeless book of evil, good, love, war, magic and betrayal. It is the second book in the Shannara series and deserves respect for surpassing its original, The Sword of Shannara. The book features dozens of twists and unpredictable turns and events that keep it interesting at all times. Its deep, dark, and mystical feel gives it a genuine and thrillingly spooky feel. The main character, Wil Ohmsford is the quarter-elven descendent of the original hero and user of the elfstones, Shea Ohmsford. Wil must take the last elven "Chosen" girl to a place where a magical seed can be revived to be planted and take the place of the dying Ecrys tree, which protects the Elven race from millions of demons trapped in an eternal darkness. Such begins the enthralling epic of the land of Shannara.

Rating:
Summary: his dullest? (still good enough)
Review: this is perhaps his weakest performance. the plot and the way it was carried out, made it really uninteresting at times. he is still a good writer, though uninventive, and in the end, he manages to finish the story nicely. but i wouldn't recommend starting with this book, if you want to read B.

Rating:
Summary: Terry Brook's brings new meanings to the word "Fantasy"
Review: I had heard a lot of good of this book, from my brothers. So I picked it up a few years ago, but I did not haver enough of a reading level. I waited for a while, and I read the triligy early this year. I was amazed at how well the dialog and plot was. I could not put this book down after I had read 'The Sword of Shannara" which is the first part of this triligy. I would suggest this book to anyone who wants to read a good Rock-Solid fantasy book.