Terry Brooks - The Shannarra Series

Mr Bosco · 08-11-2008, 09:54 PM

Okay, can I have an honest opinion of The Shannarra Series. I have just started reading The Sword of Shannarra, which is the first book. So far I think it's a damn good novel. Action, suspence and good plot description. All the ingredients I look for in a good book. Some people say Terry Brooks just stole his idea's and characters from The Lord of The Rings series, but I do not agree with that.

I find Terry Brook's work easier to read and it comes to the point quickly. Besides, J.R Tolkein did not inevent the concepts of good vs evil or mythial races such as Dwarfs, Elves or Orcs fighting for survival. Many fantasy series have that element.

Has anyone read the series. What do you think ?

Jimmy Needles · 08-11-2008, 09:57 PM

I had a friend in high school that read them. Those books are mad thick if I remember right

FlyinHawaiian30 · 08-11-2008, 10:01 PM

All the Shannara books as a whole are great in my opinion but to say they come to the point quickly is not quite all the way true. Perhaps compared to LOTR but not exactly like a novella by any means. Excellent reading though i will agree.

sypher · 08-11-2008, 10:05 PM

Ive read all of the Sword Of Truth series upto now (latest book comes out soon) not read Brooks' series though.

Three Gun Fish · 08-11-2008, 10:20 PM

I read these back in high school and loved them then. He's got some interesting characters and a pretty easy style. I would say he's about midway between Tolkien and Stephen King.

Big Nic · 08-11-2008, 10:25 PM

I'm a big fan. Slightly formulaic, but good reads nonetheless. My favorite series was the scions of Shannara, and the best book of the series was "The Druid of Shannara"

Very dark book.

The Magic Kingdom For Sale series was also good. Much lighter in tone, without being too whimsical. All of his books would make great movies.

sativa · 08-11-2008, 10:28 PM

When I was in middle school, a friend of mine loved this series, while I read RA Salvatore's Icewind Dale series. I eventually read one of these books, but I remember I didn't like it as much as the RA Salvatore books I was also reading at the time. This has been a long time ago, so I honestly can't remember anything about the book I read or if I would enjoy it more were I to read it again now.

panchosancho · 08-11-2008, 10:37 PM

I used to read those back when I was in jail.
They were pretty good.

Maximus · 08-11-2008, 10:39 PM

yeah, i hear good things about the series

Mr Bosco · 08-12-2008, 12:02 AM

Thnaks for the replies everyone.

As a previous poster mentioned The Sword of Truth Series is good, but it stretches for over 7 books. I have no desire to read something dragged out by that much. So far I am enjoying The Sword of Shannarra. I just can't understand the criticism of Terry Brooks. I think he's a good author.