The Sword of Shannara

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Summary: A Book So Long and Yet So Short
Review:

This book is almost a hefty 800 pages and yet when I finished I found myself rechecking to make sure no pages fell out. Not saying that the book ended too suddenly, which it didn't, but I was so in love with the Shannara world that I was sad to leave it and place it on top of my book pile to collect dust. And I have reread it many times, even in more in love with it then before.

I would like to set some things straight said about the works of Terry Brooks. One is that he is a simple copier of Tolkein's works- which he is *defiantly* not. Those who commented so certainly haven't the read book or far into it or are too biased about other people's writings to begin with. If one made a timeline of the events one would understand that there are many many different events and actions; in fact the whole plot is very different. Terry Brooks has made a world of his own, and a beautiful world at that.

His characters *are* realistic, some might act differently then normal people but then what is the "normal person" people define by? None of us, in reality are normal, if there was such a thing a normal person would be always predictable and absolutely boring. Such a person is unrealistic.

Terry's writing is original, with a flowing storyline and people in the book who you will share there sorrows and fears with as if you had them yourself. Brook's success is only suitable for such good writing. The Sword of Shannara is the stuff legends, myths, and epics are made of. The good stuff.

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Summary: CUT HIM A LITTLE SLACK, WILL YA?
Review: IT'S NOT THE STORY-LINE THAT MAKES A GOOD BOOK, IT'S THE WAY IT'S TOLD

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Summary: one of the best
Review: it was very well writen

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Summary: MY FIRST EXPERIENCE WITH THE FANTASY GENRE
Review: SWORD OF SHANNARA WAS THE FIRST EXPERIENCE I EVER HAD WITH THE FANTASY GENRE. I WAS TWELVE YEARS OLD AT THE TIME. BROOKS SWEPT ME INTO A WORLD OF ELVES, GNOMES, TROLLS MAGIC AND EPIC BATTLES AGAINST EVIL. THIS BOOK IS THE ONE THAT MADE ME FALL IN LOVE WITH THE GENRE. I LOVED HIS CHARACTERS AND IN PARTICULAR MENION LEAH. HE WAS FULL OF YOUTHFUL ARRROGANCE AND NAIVETE. ANOTHER THING I LIKE ABOUT HIS BOOK WAS ATMOSPHERIC WRITING THAT MADE ALMOST FEEL LIKE YOU WERE AT THE FOUR LANDS AND THEIR FIGHT AGAINST THE EVIL WARLOCK LORD.

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Summary: Best book I've ever read, but I haven't read much.
Review: The first time I read this book I couldn't get away. I have not read any J. R. R. Tolkein books, though I hear that this book is just an imitation. My local library doesn't have any Tolkein books, and it's too old to be in bookstores. My opinions might change after I read one of his books, but for now just think as if Tolkein never existed. If so, then this book would make history! It's great! From the never-so-clear plot, to the intricate and detailed battle scenes this book beats anything I've ever read. His other books aren't AS good, but still are extremely good. I can say one thing, though, like said above except in a different view, the plot is never clear. Sure, you get the idea and know the basic story-line, but try to give a description (not like this, but tell everything that happed in the book in a shortened summary) of this book under 10 minutes. It's a big book, of course, but the plot is changing and branching of so much, that it's hard to give a clear, short description. But overall this book deserves a medal. (Hey, it won one, didn't it?)

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Summary: Best book around!!
Review: This book is wonderful. This a book about a young half elven man and his brother going on a quest to find a half forgotten sword to vanquish an evil ghost with the help of the last mystical Druid in the four lands. They have to survive through countless perils and on the way they meet new friends who go with them and help them on their jurney. Will they destroy the evil ghost or die in the trying? Either way I think this is one of the best books I have ever read. When my mom told me she was getting it I told her I'd never read it. After a while though I picked it up and I couldn't put it down!! Every where I went I took that book until I was done. I would recomend this for anyone who loves fantasy and is 10 or older

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Summary: Terry Brook's best book yet
Review: This is a great book about a young boy named Shea Ohmstord and this older step brother Flik. Shea is the half elf desendent of king Shannara and the only one who is able to weld the the sword of Shannara to defeat the eval warlock lord.

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Summary: A masterpiece of imagination in a world of chaos.
Review: I was first introduced to fantasy writing many years ago when I read J.R.R. Tolken's "The Hobbit", and subsequently "The Lord of the Ring's" Trilogy. Since that time I have ventured into worlds that often times only the most vivid imagination can handle. "The Sword of Shannara" was one of the very first books that I absolutely fell in love with. It combines the thrill of adventure, and innocence of three young men who throughout the novel dramatically turn into men. The guidence that is put forth by Allanon is in some ways comparable to Gandalf in Tolken's works. However unlike Gandalf, Allanon seems in my mind to be much more concerned for the future of the world as he knows it, and in the same respect he is much more mysterious. Within the pages of this work one can find everything that makes an adventure book exceptional. Terry Brooks has created a world where the values of todays world is collided with the values of the dark ages in Europe. In what seems to be a post-cataclysmic version of Earth, unfolds a story revelaing both myths and reality, eventually twirling the two into a truly believable epic

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Summary: This is how fantasy was meant to be!
Review: Terry Brooks is absolutely masterful at creating and maintaining a wonderfully gripping storyline. He manages to capture the imagination that we so often never tap. Through his writing we are introduced to a strange and dangerous land as well as a whole host of characters, some of whom are destined for greatness and some who are just along for the ride. By picking this book up you are accepting the risk of never putting it down as you follow the exploits of an ordinary man, Shea Ohmsford, as he travels a dark and treacherous path to greatness. To help him along the way will be characters like his friend Menion Leah and the skilled warrior Balinor. Most importantly of all Shea is helped along the way by the powerful and seemingly all knowing druid Allanon, without who's help he could not even begin to accomplish the task that destiny has placed before him. The task of facing the Dark Lord himself. This series is one of the two series that I base all fantasy on. Brooks ability to weave a story is never surpassed and can only be matched by the stories of Robert Jordan in his Wheel of Time series.

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Summary: Terry Brooks takes you there and you never want to leave!
Review: The Sword of Shannara is a riveting fantasy novel with intricate and intertwining plots that somehow, miraculously, come together in the end. Terry Brooks has an uncanny way of taking all the characters who start out together, and scattering them through the strange new world. Each person is an integral part of the plot, and each must accomplish his/her task in order for the forces of good to prevail over the dark forces which seek to enslave or even destroy all life. I found myself reading long into the early morning hours, knowing full well I should be sleeping, but unable to put the book down. I love the way Mr. Brooks submerses the reader in the life, situations and struggles of the character, then abruptly jumps to another member of the cast. I found myself silently grumbling because I wanted to continue with the other part of the plot, but just as quickly, I am engrossed in the next characters plight. And so it goes with each characters struggles equally enthralling, until they meet again, but that is where I must leave it, and you must pick it up. Submitted by Frank Steven Sanchez([e-mail])