Sword of Shannara, The by Terry Brooks

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Submitted by kali poulos 
(Feb 11, 2003)

I first read Sword Of Shannara years ago,as well as all the following books.Since then I have read many fantasy books written by many different authors. Yet none have come close to the imagination and skill of Mr Brooks. Sword has a way of sucking you in, of you actually staying up late into the night reading page after page, and being extremely agonized at the thought of eventually having to put it down.Long after having finished the book I found myself sitting there and thinking how much I had identified with the characters and how I felt I had witnessed history taking place.To have a book bring out such feelings in me was genuinly shocking,especially a fictional one.I have re-read Sword of Shannara many times since and have urged many others to do so.I have to say to Mr Brooks that his writings are truly inspirational and have convinced me to try to write a fantasy book of my own,I know that it won't measure up to his creative genius in the least,but like Terry Brooks we all have to begin somewhere.

Ok, ok, let me think of how to start this. Well, first of all, I bet it'll be pretty hard to get my point across, since I'm only 13 and still have like 100 pages to finish in "Sword", but I'll do my best.

Well, first of all, The Sword of Shannara is a very good book, written with great skill, and Terry Brooks(the author for those who didn't know) is one hell of a writter, but there are those similairties between it and the LOTR series. But I do ask, what does it matter? The book goes far from the LOTR series if you are willing to look past the similarites. I myself can take ANY fantasy story and find similarities, it's not very hard. If Brooks copied Tolkien, then Tolkien likely copied someone else. Not many people can just start a story without a lead, some start, and most find their start in other books.

I won't bore you guys by making my review all about "how people think Sword is like LOTR", and actually DO a review.

I'm near the end, just over 100 pges left of the 726 page giant. And I do say, this book has it's strong and weak moments. To me, I don't know about everyone else, the characters and setting are very well described and built, as well as the story. (Before you read this line, please make sure you have read the first few chapters, especially if you're the kind of person who hates ANYTHING being ruined, it's a small spoiler, but I thought I might as well warn you)It seems to progress without you even really noticing until you look back and go, "wow, it was so long ago that Shea and Flick fled Shady Vale" (there's your spoiler). Brooks seems to do an incredible job at making likeable characters and very hateable villains, which is always a good feature in a fantasy story.

So, I think it's a good idea of you to join Shea, Allanon and Flick, along with so many more, on their journey through the four lands, to stop the terrible Warlock Lord...Man, wasn't that like the best commercial like thingy for the book? Haha, well, best to you all and take care!

:)

Rock on

Excellent, excellent novel. Terry Brooks is truly a master among masters with his amazingly detailed, and yet still enthralling storytelling. Brooks is an expert at creating characters that are believable and understandable, each with their own individual traits and characteristics that make them unique. The story is jam-packed with action and suspense and keeps a seemless storyline running at full throttle. Some characters and even a few plot elements seemed to reflect the earlier-written Lord of the Rings trilogy, but as with all great novels of a genre, they inevitably share qualities that set them apart as great works of literature. I was amazed at how Mr. Brooks kept up the action through the entire book without one single lull, addictive from start to smashing finish. He even included some limited romance in just the right amount so as to add additional depth and emotion to the already stellar narrative. Replete with brilliant visual imagery and excellent detail of characters. I would highly recommend this epic novel to anyone who is even remotely interested in fantasy/adventure type novels. A guaranteed winner every time!

The Sword of Shannara, is, and I think will always be, my greatest love among fantasy works. The plot provides a great deal of depth and richness, without the overwhelming complexity that can come from a lengthy epic.
Not all of the characters are developed to the same depth as Shea or Allanon, but they are all very human and likable. Allanon especially is a wonderful companion. He is the quintissential juxtaposition of the man who knows too much for his own good, and feels that his elevated status above the other mortals has fated him to a life of isolation and sacrifice.
For me, the strongest element of The Sword of Shannara, is Mr. Brooks' message that truth (as embodied by The Sword) is a more powerful weapon than ten thousand swords or guns will ever be. In this case the sword is truly mightier than the pen!

The Sword of shannara is perhaps the greatest of all fantasy adventure books. From the very beginning it sucks you in and keeps you on the edge of your seat until the very last page. And for those who would say it is a spin off of the Lord of the Rings, oh boy you got another thing comin. Look in any fantasy book and it is easy to find similaritys between everyone of them but it doesn't mean that they were all intended to be exactly like the one before. Terry Brooks took us on a much greater adventure then Tolkien ever could have and I know that Sword of Shannara will keep you in a world of fantasy and adventure where the possibilities are endless and the excitement is top notch. Long live the Sword a true Epic tale of fantasy and adventure where you long to enter that world, where you wish you could be, where you dream of going and where the true magnificince of fantasy is revealed!