Terry Brooks

The peaceful half-elf Shea Ohmsford is threatened by the supposedly dead Warlock Lord who is planning to destroy everything in his wake unless Shea can use the power of the Sword of Shannara to stop him.

In the Shadow of the Warlock Lord

An epic fantasy of gnomes, trolls, dwarfs and elves in which a simple man, Shea Ohmsford, is pitted against the greatest power of evil the world has ever known. Copyright © Libri GmbH. All rights reserved.

The Sword of Shannara

Gillian Rose

I rarely say this but: I like the show much better. It's a bit of a LotR rip-off and was unneccesarily long. The characters and action were fine but again, I'd read it before. And where were the female characters?! That's one of the high points of the show.

Long ago, the world of the Four Lands was torn apart by the wars of ancient Evil. But in the Vale, the half-human, half-elfin Shea Ohmsford now lives in peace - until the mysterious, forbidding figure of the druid Allanon appears, to reveal that the supposedly long dead Warlock Lord lives again. Shea must embark upon the elemental quest to find the only weapon powerful enough to keep the creatures of darkness at bay: the fabled Sword of Shannara. THE SWORD OF SHANNARA is the first volume of the classic series that has become one of the most popular fantasy tales of all time. A masterful work from a master storyteller.

Ofelia

«Qui giace il cuore e l'anima delle nazioni,
Il loro diritto di vivere nella libertà,
Il loro desiderio di vivere nella pace,
Il loro coraggio di cercare la verità.
Qui giace la Spada di Shannara.»

Avevo sentito parlare davvero bene di questo libro, ed invece non merita più di tre stelline tirate. La storia di per sé ha delle potenzialità che però non riesce mai a raggiungere, finendo per cadere spesso nel banale (il finale è troppo prevedibile, come sono troppo prevedibili le sorti della metà dei personaggi del gruppo, qualche bel colpo di scena di tanto in tanto non avrebbe fatto male).
Quando ho iniziato a leggere il libro credevo che chi lo definiva una copia mal riuscita del Signore degli anelli fosse qualcuno che di libri ne aveva letti proprio pochi, magari solo di Tolkien, ed invece più andavo avanti più dovevo dirmi d'accordo.
La storia è davvero troppo simile ai libri di Tolkien, uguale in alcuni punti, i personaggi sembrano delle caricature di quelli descritti nel signore degli anelli almeno per la prima parte del libro.
Mi aspettavo qualcosa di meglio.

Stephanie Ridiculous

A fun & thrilling alternative to Tolkien. Well paced, and enjoyable, even when a bit predictable.

Elfstones of Shannara (Sword of Shannara)

Cams Campbell

This was a lot better than I remember. I read it when I was 17 or 18, some 30 years ago, and continued through the saga as far as the Talismans of Shannara. I see now there were many others! 

So, yeah, it's derivative. I get that. But that doesn't make it bad. I'm reminded of why I enjoy fantasy as a genre, particularly when I'm listening and walking the dogs in the hills and forests of the Scottish Isle of Arran, where I live. 

I'm not sure whether I'll continue through the first trilogy, but I imagine I will, given that I enjoyed this reread a lot more than I expected to.

I really enjoyed reading this again. Sure it’s derivative, but I like fantasy and this holds up pretty well. I read it first time in my late teens. I’m now in my late 40s and some books I’ve tried rereading don’t stand up well at all, such as the Belgariad. The writing in the Shannara books is pretty decent though.

Mary Rose Luksha

This is the second in a series my aunt got me for Christmas (see the 1st post), and this book was actually better than the first. The dynamic between the characters was more interesting than the first book. It sort of had the same corny theme about believing in yourself and having self-confidence like the first, but...sometimes I like corny. And I actually didn't see the end coming, which is saying something because I can usually guess an ending. But I assumed Brooks would have a conventional and obvious end, and this ending, while in-keeping with the story line he created, I didn't think was obvious or terribly conventional. Overall, I gave it 4 stars.

The Wishsong of Shannara (The Shannara Series)

This is the third in the Shannara series that I got for Christmas, and by far my least favorite. The characters of Brin and Jair were soooooo boring. At least in the other books I thought Brooks wrote a few good foil characters, and of course the action was good, but in this one there were no good contrasts; and the action parts were few and far between long "journeying" parts.

Wishsong was a chore to read, and for about a week I questioned my love of reading, which is sad. But I finished the book because it was a present. Out of all three books, I think the second was my favorite being the right combination of fantasy, action, and (what Brooks considers) character development. This is one of those books you read and you think, "I probably could have done a better job writing this book, and definitely done a better job editing it."

But, if you're a lover of the Shannara world, by all means venture forth and read. There's a good story tucked in there somewhere, but in all 500 pages it struggles to come out

My Aunt bought me a few of his books for Christmas because she thinks if I like J.R.R. Tolkien, I must like all fantasy. That being said, the book was decently good. I saw the Tolkien allusions, but any author who mentions elves will most likely get compared to Tolkien, which isn't necessarily always fair.
But I think what sets Brooks slightly lower than Tolkien is his inability to tell a story with a cohesive theme. It's a good story, and the plot held my interest, but as for character development or any themes or motifs, they were few and far between. And I think it's that cohesiveness that transcends sci/fi or fantasy into something on Tolkien's level.
Overall I liked the book, but I wouldn't compare it to Tolkien in any way. It has its own separate identity, and once you stop relating it to Tolkien, it becomes a pretty good book.

As the last heir of Shannara, Shea must save the humans, gnomes, trolls, dwarfs, and elves of the world from the Warlock Lord by reclaiming the wondrous sword.

Fraser Simons

This book gets a lot of hate from Tolkien fans, and I can see why it would irk people that it be maybe the most blatant use of LotR tropes. But it does feel pretty distinct apart from them to me. Plenty of fantasy books predating Tolkien and afterward have a similar setup. And after which it grows quite distinct in every respect. 

I really liked that sign language was incorporated into trolls, and that they’re intelligent and knowledgeable and go completely against type. I also quite liked that the two brothers are foster brothers and have a pretty healthy relationship, also going against type for foster children. The sword itself and the relationship to the Warlock king is completely different than Sauron, and far more satisfying. It’s a bit more gritty and realistic of a young adult book in contrast to Tolkien, but retains some of the soft masculinity in some of the characters that is the main draw of the fellowship, for me.

What is pretty undeniable though, is the writing quality is far less literary and stylistically disparate. There is a lot of exposition and large issues with Show Don’t Tell. The pacing is a bit laborious at some points as well. It’s a huge book, and it does feel like a lot happens, but the interiority of the characters, while present, still feels like it’s only helping the plot feel like it’s spinning wheels. I think a large part of it is the expectations of young adult readers, possibly. Some publishers and writers don’t trust readers in the demographic to pick up on things, and so make everything blatant. And this puffs the piece up substantially because it’s constantly reiterating. Clearly it worked for most readers though, as it was/is extremely popular. 

I do think it’s more accessible and sometimes more engaging than Tolkien. Not quite commercial fiction but leaning there. It was pretty readable to me, and I enjoyed most of it; primarily after the setup, which is almost perfunctory for epic fantasy at this point. Though it does predate the figurative avalanche of Tolkien clones somewhat at ‘77. Some pleasant surprises saved this for me and made it enjoyable. I’ll read the next one at some point.

"Now an epic new TV series on MTV"--Cover.

The Elfstones of Shannara

While this seemed fairly tropey, it was, as with the first, a fun fantasy commercial fiction read. To its detriment, because of when it was published and it’s commercial demands, this feels somewhat like the embodiment of 90s fantasy tropes rolled into one. 

Chosen guy all women are attracted to. Massive battle between good and evil. Powerful magical artifacts with a capital c cost. Fantasy species exactly as you’d imagine them to be. The Quest. 

It’s an interesting artifact as far as embodying that fantasy moment, I think. And it is still fun. It’s valid to fall into the comfort of the familiar with a bit of a remix. I thought it was fine all over, if a bit eye roll worthy at points, such as the Insta love for Will moments, or the sometimes arbitrary feeling deviations to a specific goal. There is better out there. But it’s certainly got a quality about it that makes it endearing overall.

Terror engulfs the Four Land as the "Ildatch," the ancient book of evil spells sends its Mord Wraiths to bring about the destruction of human life, and Allanon calls on the aid of a descendent of Jerle Shannara

The Wishsong of Shannara

When yo daddy has special stones you develop a song, apparently. 

And, I mean, more of the same really. This is completely fine YA 90s commercial fiction with tropes from the progenitor. Being angry that it isn’t literary fiction like LOTR is wild. Know what you’re picking up and your opinion may have more weight, imo.

The Scions of Shannara (Heritage of Shannara)

Nica

4.5 STARS ⭐️

I love a good fantasy book! I was shocked with what I consider two major plot twists and a big revelation. Only reason why I didn’t give it 5 stars is because it was a really slow start. I understand it tho, there’s a lot of things that needed introduction. I still don’t understand the whole idea of some of the creatures but I’m looking forward to reading the next books in this series.

Tom Turner

This is very much a book of two halves. The first half did feel a bit like wading through quick sand, there were good moments, but it was quite laborious. The second half felt far more streamlined and was far easier to read. Apparently Brooks started writing this when he was 22 and finished (or at least had it published) when he was 33, so this might account for this dichotomy. 

As you will gather from reading other reviews, or not digging very deeply elsewhere on the internet, this book has been accused of being a rip off of LORD OF THE RINGS. While it consider the term rip off to be quite harsh, the parallels are unavoidable. It was obviously heavily influenced by the Tolkien Classic. There's no denying a sense of genericness and cliche. However, I feel it's important to understand three things, first of all, this was a debut work, and those always tend to be more generic than your works that follow them finding their feet and their voice. Secondly, is important to remember when this was published (1977) not only was this a time when Fantasy was still forming as a genre, and LOTR was the benchmark standard, plus the sixties and seventies were when LOTR was having its renaissance, and when ever something like that happens you get works that are similar in nature because they are marketable (Harry Potter, Percy Jackson and Artemis Fowl springs to mind.) Lastly, is important to remember this is the first is a trilogy, which itself is part of a multi-serial book series, with the 32nd and last book being published later this year (2020) so I'm sure the series itself had lost some of its genericness after 43 years. 

The Sword of Shannara is by no means a perfect book. But neither does it deserve the vitriol seen from other reviewers. Ultimately it was a flawed but enjoyable read, and a fun cornerstone novel for what I hope all before a very intriguing and enjoyable series.

Terry Brooks' Shannara series has become a modern classic, and now, 25 years after it was written, it is a must-have addition to your eBook library. For a limited time only, take advantage of this exciting opportunity -- buy Elfstones of Shannara and get The Sword of Shannara for free! Sword of ShannaraLiving in peaceful Shady Vale, Shea Ohmsford knew little of the troubles that plagued the rest of the world. Then the giant, forbidding Allanon revaled that the supposedly dead Warlock Lord was plotting to destory the world. The sole weapon against this Power of Darkness was the Sword of Shannara, which could only be used by a true heir of Shannara--Shea being the last of the bloodline, upon whom all hope rested. Soon a Skull Bearer, dread minion of Evil, flew into the Vale, seeking to destroy Shea. To save the Vale, Shea fled, drawing the Skull Bearer after him.... Elfstones of ShannaraAncient Evil threatens the Elves: The ancient tree created by long-lost Elven magic, is dying. When Wil Ohmsford is summoned to guard the Amberle on a perilous quest to gather a new seed for a new tree, he is faced with the Reaper, the most fearsome of all Demons. And Wil is without power to control them....

The Sword/Elfstones of Shannara

Amanda Kirtzinger

Very Tolkien but still good. Loved the characters. This story made my cry a little, laugh and get angry with their stupid decisions. A book that makes you feel is always a book worth reading.

An ancient evil threatens the Four Lands. The Ellcrys, the tree of long-lost Elven magic, is dying, unravelling the spell of Forbidding that locks the hordes of Demons away from the world. Already the fearsome Reaper is free. Only by quickening a new seed in the mysterious Bloodfire can the Ellcrys be reborn and the Forbidding made whole. Amberle, a young Elven girl, is chosen to undertake the quest for the Bloodfire. The way is perilous, though. Other demons besides the Reaper stalk the land. Amberle will need a protector if she is to prevail, and Wil Ohmsford, heir to the elven magics of Shannara, is chosen to accompany her. Amberle's quest and the fate of the Four Lands will rest on Wil's ability to unlock the magic of the mysterious Elfstones of Shannara. THE ELFSTONES OF SHANNARA is the second tale in the Shannara trilogy - a classic tale of magic, danger and high fantasy.

** spoiler alert **
           I was absolutely captivated! Wil has so many character development points it is ridiculous!! And poor Amberle...literally not understanding anything and being so terrified but also kind of whiny in my opinion until the second half of the book. 

I did however appreciate and like the ending for Amberle...though disappointed in how it turned out for Wil?

I really enjoyed the story and the devolpment of the different magic than what we have seen in the 2 book previous. I also very much like how Terry Brooks takes the story from one generation to the next and all the different and creative characters he has created. They are all so beautifully written.

Émilie 

Une histoire bien ficelée avec des personnages intéressants, mais un peu trop long. On se doute de la fin à la moitier du livre et les dernières pages sont un peu lassantes.
J'ai tout de même envie de connaître la suite.

Ilia Markov

A rip-off of Tolkien's LOTR with very pretentious use of the English language, unmemorable characters and 0 excitement. Couldn't finish it...

Sofia

Brishti Basu

Jackie Cunningham

The grandson of Shea, Wil Ohmsford, searches for Amberle, the Chosen whose gift of Bloodfire is needed to create the Ellcrys tree that protects against demons. Reissue.

In the Shadow of the Warlock Lord

Reviews