I've picked this book up a few days ago. And so far its junk. I thought Terry Brooks was a better writer then this. My question; does this series get any better or should I just return it?

I enjoyed the series, they don't make you think too hard and are decent to read for fun, the best two in the shannara series by far are elfstones (the next one) and wishsong, although i've got some major complaints about wishsong... but that's more to do with how characters react and use their abilities than anything else.

I have enjoyed almost all of Terry Brooks books with the exception of the Shannara books. I forced myself to finish one but that was it. I really don't understand what people see in this series but its fans are legion and the series has been going for a long time. IMHO give it back! Give it Back!

You do have a point Morgeruat, but I get the feeling that he stole more then one Tolkien element. Serieusly, at some parts he just removed the word 'ring' and wrote sword instead ;)

I enjoyed the Heritage of Shannara 4 book series.

My favorite in the series was the Druid of Shannara and the Elf Queen of Shannara wasn't bad either. I wasn't very fond of the first book that starts the quests of the children of Shannara but it had to do with refinding the lost sword of Shannara and the wishsong. I almost did not read the other books because it was bad, however I did and was glad I read the other 3. If anything The first one was important for establishing characters in the next 3.

I read sword and elfstones of shannara before LotR so the rip-off factor went unnoticed. (even then, they were still hardly original). I enjoyed both the first time around (especially elfstones) but a while later i read them again and was disappointed. I appreciate books that have a lot of depth, so much so that you gain a better understanding with each read and they become more enjoyable each time (Silmarillion, anyone?). The shannara series definately lacks this quality.

man that brings back memories. yeah this is the one about allanon the druid right? i love the events where they are fighting a war and it had trolls, demons, and what-nots. the battle between allanon or garet jax versus the jakyr (sp?) is cool. yeah that "sword ..." book is rather lame IMO and i agree that this really seems so much a rip-off of LOTR.

Sorry for getting off topic but this topic so bring backs memories that i want to ask if anyone has read "Dragon Knight". If not, I recommend it. Its very good and unique.

The first book is rather lame, yes, I agree to that, but the second one is loads better IMHO. Great battles of Elves against Demons, and I think the storyline is rather intrusive as well. [img]smile.gif[/img]

But the best 4 books of the Shannara-series is definitely the Heritage of Shannara. Those are really great!!

<font color=orange>I agree with Morgeraut. I thought it was a good read. It was the rest that sucked IMO! As far as being a rip of of Tolkein... well there aren't many fantasy novels out there that don't have something from Tolkein in them. After all he was the father of modern fantasy, IMO!</font>

That was my major problem with it really, I felt like I'd read it all before. I've only read two from teh series though, that one and Wishsong. I agree Wishsong was better, but that might just be because I read it when I was really young and hadn't read much other fantasy at the time. I do plan on read the whole series sometime but its hardly high on my list of priorities.