Category: Writing and Poetry
726 pages
The Sword of Shannara begins with Flick Ohmsford being confronted by a stranger, Allanon, on the way home. Soon his "brother" Shea and Flick are on adventure. The stranger tells Shea that he is actually the last living descendent of an old elven family and is the only person that has the power to stop the evil Warlock Lord. They must travel to the dwarven lands and there they will find shelter from the Skull Bearers that are set to capture Shea. Once there, they will be able to set off for the fabled Sword of Shannara. With this they can stop the Warlock Lord who is bent on taking over the world.
Shea and Flick set off to a nearby kingdom to get help from a friend, Menion Leah. With his help they make to the dwarven lands where they join a band of characters from different races. Balinor the crown prince of Callahorn, Hendel the Dwarf, as well as Dayel and Durin the elven brothers all join them in the quest for the sword. Through many pitfalls and dangerous journeys the must make their way to Paranor where the Sword of Shannara is set in stone.
This book was recommended to me based on the entire series. I was warned that this book has many similarities to Tolkien's Lord of the Rings series. That after reading this book the story makes its own way and becomes a great series. I will have to say that the first 300 pages read like Tolkien. Not the writing style, but the characters and plot. In both stories a mysterious wizard sends a reluctant pair of young men on a dangerous world saving journey. The wizard has to leave to do other things, but will meet them. They are chased by supernatural beings across the country side. They are joined up with a group of adventurers representing the free peoples. They must work together to fight the evil faceless being in order to save the world. As you read this the similarities get to be disappointing.
The positives are many as well. I find Brooks writing style to be engaging and entertaining. The story has a nice pace and after the beginning disappointment develops into an interesting story of its own. This is Brooks's first book and you can see him develop as a writer as the book goes on. He admits that he was heavily influenced by Tolkien. Eventually, Shea is separated from the main group and travels with a pair of roadside brigands, Panamon, the one handed rogue and, Kelset, the mute troll. These characters are both likeable and a change of pace.
The book has a typical predictable quality to it. I have read many fantasy books and this book follows along many paths I have followed before. It has the distinction of being the first fantasy book on the New York Times best sellers list. I am sure it has helped make the paths for a lot of the books I have read since it was written, but it still owes its existence to Lord of the Rings.
Intellectual 2 - His writing style is very engrossing. In this he far outweighs Tolkien. If not for Brooks wonderful writing this book wouldn't have been published.
Emotional 2 - This has the typical heroic band of adventures out to save the world vibe, nothing to dramatic.
Long Term - 3 Obviously, not a ground breaker because of its similarities to Lord of the Rings, but plenty of influence on future writers was made.
A total of 7. Not that great of a rating from me. I honestly wouldn't recommend this book because in this genre there are tons of great reads such as George R.R. Martin's, Game of Thrones. BUT! I was told that it is the series that makes this worth the read so I will let you know as I read those books.
This is Jerimiah Martin telling you to keep turning pages.
The Sword of Shannara begins with Flick Ohmsford being confronted by a stranger, Allanon, on the way home. Soon his "brother" Shea and Flick are on adventure. The stranger tells Shea that he is actually the last living descendent of an old elven family and is the only person that has the power to stop the evil Warlock Lord. They must travel to the dwarven lands and there they will find shelter from the Skull Bearers that are set to capture Shea. Once there, they will be able to set off for the fabled Sword of Shannara. With this they can stop the Warlock Lord who is bent on taking over the world.
Shea and Flick set off to a nearby kingdom to get help from a friend, Menion Leah. With his help they make to the dwarven lands where they join a band of characters from different races. Balinor the crown prince of Callahorn, Hendel the Dwarf, as well as Dayel and Durin the elven brothers all join them in the quest for the sword. Through many pitfalls and dangerous journeys the must make their way to Paranor where the Sword of Shannara is set in stone.
This book was recommended to me based on the entire series. I was warned that this book has many similarities to Tolkien's Lord of the Rings series. That after reading this book the story makes its own way and becomes a great series. I will have to say that the first 300 pages read like Tolkien. Not the writing style, but the characters and plot. In both stories a mysterious wizard sends a reluctant pair of young men on a dangerous world saving journey. The wizard has to leave to do other things, but will meet them. They are chased by supernatural beings across the country side. They are joined up with a group of adventurers representing the free peoples. They must work together to fight the evil faceless being in order to save the world. As you read this the similarities get to be disappointing.
The positives are many as well. I find Brooks writing style to be engaging and entertaining. The story has a nice pace and after the beginning disappointment develops into an interesting story of its own. This is Brooks's first book and you can see him develop as a writer as the book goes on. He admits that he was heavily influenced by Tolkien. Eventually, Shea is separated from the main group and travels with a pair of roadside brigands, Panamon, the one handed rogue and, Kelset, the mute troll. These characters are both likeable and a change of pace.
The book has a typical predictable quality to it. I have read many fantasy books and this book follows along many paths I have followed before. It has the distinction of being the first fantasy book on the New York Times best sellers list. I am sure it has helped make the paths for a lot of the books I have read since it was written, but it still owes its existence to Lord of the Rings.
Intellectual 2 - His writing style is very engrossing. In this he far outweighs Tolkien. If not for Brooks wonderful writing this book wouldn't have been published.
Emotional 2 - This has the typical heroic band of adventures out to save the world vibe, nothing to dramatic.
Long Term - 3 Obviously, not a ground breaker because of its similarities to Lord of the Rings, but plenty of influence on future writers was made.
A total of 7. Not that great of a rating from me. I honestly wouldn't recommend this book because in this genre there are tons of great reads such as George R.R. Martin's, Game of Thrones. BUT! I was told that it is the series that makes this worth the read so I will let you know as I read those books.
This is Jerimiah Martin telling you to keep turning pages.
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