Product Description
Living 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....
... Read more

Customer Reviews (579)

Complete Crap, but Entertaining Crap Nonetheless
I'll make this one short and to the point.

This book is quite simply a complete load of crap. And yes, as you've probably heard before (for example, from just about every other reviewer here), it is incredibly, unbelievably derivative of Lord of The Rings; even more so than most "epic fantasy" books of the same vintage.

That said, it is also quite entertaining. So if you like swords and sorcery epics, and aren't above reading total crap now and then, you might actually enjoy this novel. I know I did. Yes, I admit it! It's true that with every single word I was fully (indeed, unavoidably) aware that I was reading complete and total crap. But it was entertaining crap all the same.

References to fecal matter aside, this book really is garbage. So if you're looking for anything with any depth, originality, wit, style, or substance to it at all, look elsewhere. Otherwise... feel free to go ahead and enjoy some garbage. The literary equivalent of a bag of cheetos.

Hey, it's okay. We all do it from time to time.

Shannara is GREAT!
Some years ago I heard mention of SWORD OF SHANNARA and that it was very similar to LORD OF THE RINGS.That prompted me not to read it, since it sounded like a rip-off.Then I realized that being similar to LOTR means it's a great read, so I gave it a shot.

I'm glad i did--SWORD OF SHANNARA *is* a great book.It was like rereading the great LOTR while reading something new; all the rest of the books in the series are original.And also great.

(Note:SHANNARA is pronounced SHAN-uh-ruh.)

Sometimes characters in different books seem very similar, but, to me, they fit just fine into the storyline (after all, in how many *different* ways can someone be proficient with a knife or a sword?).And ELFSTONES OF SHANNARA and STRAKEN have endings that blew me away.

Some readers have commented on the times that Brooks repeats previous storylines.These are just one paragraph long and occur only when a new character is encountered and is being brought up to speed on previous events.Also, I think a couple of times the recap refers to events that happened several books earlier, so the refresher is even helpful to the reader.

I'll just put in my two cents' worth as to the reading order, which is neither chronological nor date published.

The books should be read as follows (no spoilers):

the original trilogy:
SWORD OF SHANNARA (first book written and definitely the kick-off point for the series)
ELFSTONES OF SHANNARA
WISHSONG OF SHANNARA

FIRST KING OF SHANNARA book (prequel to SWORD)

HERITAGE OF SHANNARA quadrology

VOYAGE OF THE JERLE SHANNARA trilogy

HIGH DRUID OF SHANNARA trilogy

WORD AND VOID trilogy (these books are all urban thrillers)

GENESIS OF SHANNARA (these books are post-apocalyptic stories; a new book in this series has just come out, and another one is due out next year)



This is the order where, I think, the overall Shannara storyline(s) flow most logically and without interruption.

Some comments on WORD AND VOID.Each of the books builds to a climax that is both incredibly amazing and amazingly incredible.However, the bulk of each book was mostly uninteresting filler and just dragged on.I think these three could have had the filler removed and combined into one long book that would have been great.Also, as noted above, these are urban thrillers, so they don't take place in epic fantasy's customary medieval setting.

I gladly give five stars to the Shannara series proper.

Definitley Worth the Read
Ok, so, first things first.If you are a die hard Tolkien fan, you watch LOTR's every night before going to bed, and spend your time wishing you were at the shire, you should probably go ahead and skip "The Sword Of Shannara".You should still read the books that come after in the series,but more than likely you wont be able to not get upset at the similarities between The Sword and the LOTR.

Other big fans of LOTR but are a little more open minded, should bare in mind that A. This was Brooks first novel.B. He was 23 when he started writing it, and it took him seven years to do because he was in law school. and C. He stated that LOTR is what inspired and influenced him to write the book, along with various other materials.Hopefully, you can keep these things in mind, along with the fact that Tolkien laid the foundation for fantasy novels.You would be hard pressed to find many fantasy stories that dont have some kind of basis or inspiration stemming from the Tolkien world.

I do admit however, you probably wont find to many fantasy novels that resemeble LOTR quite as closely as The Sword.

For just plain fantasy fans, this is a must read, if for no other reason than to help set the backgrounds for the later books that follow.

I read The Sword of Shannara back in high school, and I loved it.I had already read Tolkiens works, and while I was a fan, I wasnt as mesmorized by the series as many others were.The Sword of Shannara, had a much darker and menacing tone to it, compared to what I thought in LOTR was more of a depressing atmosphere when the epic battles and key story points werent taking place.I felt Brooks did a very good job of setting the characters in much...I guess the best word I am looking for here is "scarier" back drop.

While the characters were definitley similiar to those in LOTR in the roles that they played.The mind sets and attitudes were definitley not.I dont want to go into every character here, you can get plenty of comparisons from other peoples reviews, but the one I want to mention is Allanon...

Allanon is compared to Gandalf in most critics reviews, however, where Gandalf was a caring and gentle man, and only rousted to real anger when confronted with the enemy.Allanon was brutal and vicous.He protected Shea and Flick thats for sure, but he always had this menacing air about him, and the potential to do violence upon anyone.Thats the feeling I got off of him anyway.A man who was willing to do whatever it took to stop Brona.

There are enough subtle changes in the characters and plot line for this book that venture away from LOTR for it to stand by itself.

Do yourself a favor, read it with an open mind, and dont go into it looking to nit pick the similarities between the two.Many great authors condemn and praise this book, and it was on the new york times bestseller list.But you should definitley get it under your belt so you have a proper back drop for the novels that follow...wait till you get to Garet Jax(BA!)

I guess this wasnt so much a review as more of advice for Tolkien readers before picking it up.Hope you enjoy it.

Fantastic book and a truly remarkable set
I've definitely read my share of fantasy novels, and plenty of fantasy novel "sets". (Yes, this does include Tolkien) I'm sorry some other readers didn't enjoy this, but personally I would strongly recommend it, and have done so on many occasions. I love this entire set immensely, and look forward to the day that I can read them all again without being able to remember most of what happened. (Making it fun all over again of course)

Give it a rest!
All this talk about how Brooks ripped off Tolkien is really getting tired.I read this book in my early teens and loved it, just as much as I loved the Elfstones and Wishsong of Shannara.I read them over and over, and to this date I'm fairly certain that I've read the this book more times than any other book with the exception of the Druid of Shannara.I hadn't heard of Tolkien at the time until my older brother gave me the song and dance about how it was a copy of Lord of the Rings.So I gave that a try.

MY GOD was it boring!And silly!I couldn't connect with the characters because they were absolutely rediculous.I quickly discarded the name Tolkien from my mind and moved on to the Heritage of Shannara series, which was even better than the original trilogy.I didn't even think about Tolkien again until the movies came out and it was suddenly a big deal.By this time I had quit reading fantasy (and fiction in general for the most part) in favor of non-fiction.Only recently have I started reading fiction again, and only a week ago I came across my old battered copy of The Sword of Shannara from Middle School and felt nostalgic enough to decide to reread the series, and it's just as much fun to read now as it was when I was a kid.

I watched the first movie simply because my sister bought me the ticket and it was a chance to spend time with her after she moved out of the house.I wasn't impressed.The other movies I saw simply because a friend or a family member was watching it.

My point being, if Terry Brooks simply copied Tolkien, than he did it better and took up less space doing it.I don't mean to go on a Tolkien bashing rant here; my point is simply that just because the guy set the mold doesn't mean that he perfected it.

I will admit that there are some glaring similarities (you know what, pick up Joseph Campbell and realize that some similarities are going to be necessary).But that doesn't mean that The Sword of Shannara can't be appreciated in it's own right.Here are a few primary differences (improvements?) that I have seen.Remember, I'm basing this off of my viewing of the movies (which, to be fair, wasn't recent), because honestly I don't feel like reading The Lord of the Rings just to prove a point:

Allanon vs. Gandalf - I didn't really see much magic coming from Gandalf.To me he seemed little more that a goofy old guy with a glowy rod.Allanon on the other hand is dangerous both with magic and in physical battle.He knows what he's doing and will do anything to do it.He is Saturnian whereas Gandalf is Jovial.I'm sorry but when in battle, the person I want at my side is not Santa Claus.

Warlock Lord vs. Sauron and The Sword vs. the One Ring - At least there was a backstory to the Warlock Lord.And the method of defeating him was sound.Okay, Sauron is this big mystical creature that makes a bunch of rings for reasons that I do not understand and one ring for himself that gives him some kind of special power that is never really explained as far as I can tell except that it turns normal people invisible when the put it on.But when they manage to destroy this ring that automatically destroys Sauron as well.Um, WHY?!And don't give me a line like, "That's how magic works."If Sauron was powerful before he made the ring, he'd be powerful after it was destroyed too.The Warlock Lord, on the other hand, actually makes sense that he would be a powerful sorceror who got consumed by his own magic into something unrecognizable.His destruction is equally believable for the same reason (Spoiler Alert) because the Swords function is to expose the fact that there is nothing of the man who made the magic left.

Hendel vs. Gimli - Gimli seemed to me to serve as comic relief where it was unneccesary and irritating.And he wasn't exactly three dimensional either.Seemed to me like the Dwarfs in the Lord of the Rings aren't much more than wannabe elves without the speed, skill, good looks, or the spooky language.Hendel on the other hand was as much a hero as anyone else.More so in many occasions.And his skill on the battlefield was equal to any elf!

I'm sure this review will piss a lot of people off, but I think it needed to be said. ... Read more

Product Description
Magic Kingdom For Sale – Sold!:
Landover was a genuine magic kingdom, with fairy folk and wizardry. But after he purchased it, Ben Holiday learned that there were a few details the ad had failed to mention. The kingdom was in ruin. The task of proving his right to be King seemed hopeless. But Ben Holiday was stubborn...

The Black Unicorn:
A year had passed since Ben Holiday bought the Magic Kingdom from the wizard Meeks, who had set a series of pitfalls against him. But Ben had been troubled by dreams of disaster to his former partner, Miles Bennett. Unknown to Ben, the dreams had been a trap by Meeks.

Wizard at Large:
It all began when the half-able wizard Questor Thews announced that finally he could restore the Court Scribe Abernathy to human form. All went well - until the wizard breathed the magic dust of his spell and suddenly sneezed. Then, where Abernathy had stood, there was only a bottle containing a particularly evil imp.

The Tangle Box:
Horris Kew, conjurer, confidence-man, and trickster, had returned to Landover from Ben's own world. Alas, he had been sent by the Gorse, a sorcerer of great evil, whom Horris had unwittingly freed from the magic Tangle Box. Now it had returned to enslave those who had once dared to condemn it.

Witches’ Brew:
The Magic Kingdom of Landover was finally at peace, and Ben and his wife, the sylph Willow, could watch their daughter Mistaya grow. But his idyll was interrupted when Rydall, a king of lands beyond the fairy mist, assembled armies on Landover's border and threatened to invade. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

Much more than I expected, very happy
I am not a big fantasy reader (horror is more my style) but took a shot at this series because it was both a good value for the money and the premise is unique.I have enjoyed hour after hour of listening to this series in my car to the point that traffic really doesn't bother much.Sadly, I am on my last CD right now.I will miss the company I have had on my rides to and from DC and may just look for more Terry Brooks books on CD to help with my commute.The narrator did a great job and is consistent throughout the series.

Audio Books
I purchased the books because the price was right. I had never read any of Terry Brooks writing before so I did not know what to expect. The audio books arrived on time and in excelent condition. I listoned to them and really enjoyed them. They are fun whimsical stories. Certainly the writing is on a realatively simple level, but I did enjoy the stories and would recommend them to someone of like minded taste.

great CD collection
I am not yet finished with this CD collection, only through the first book.
So far I like the story and the reader. I do think it will only get better as I go through it.

Terry Brooks, landover series
Enjoy Terry Brooks as an author, reader for these books is talented and give more life to books.

wonderful cd collection
got this cd collection for my daughter she loves cifi and she loved thisset ... Read more

Product Description
When a half-drowned elf is found floating in the seas of the Blue Divide, an old mystery resurfaces. Thirty years ago, an elven prince led an expedition in search of a legendary magic said to be more powerful than any in the world. Of all those who set out on that ill-fated voyage, not one has ever returned. Until now. The rescued elf carries a map covered with mysterious symbols–and Walker Boh, the last of the Druids, has the skill to decipher them. But someone else understands the map’s significance: the Ilse Witch, a ruthless young woman who wields a magic as potent as his own. She will stop at nothing to possess the map–and the magic it leads to.

Thus begins the first volume of a dazzling new adventure
in one of the most popular fantasy series of our time
Amazon.com Review
Terry Brooks's new Shannara epic, The Voyage of the Jerle Shannara, kicks off its first volume, Ilse Witch, with the discovery of a mad elf drifting on wreckage miles out at sea with his tongue and eyes removed and a map secreted among his possessions. The elf is revealed to be a lost prince who set out decades earlier to find old magics on another continent. Walker Boh, the Druid we last saw in The Talismans of Shannara, persuades the Elf King that both vengeance and prudence dictate a second expedition and assembles the usual crew of talented misfits to travel by airship into unknown territory. The forces of evil are on their way as well--the shadowy figure known as the Ilse Witch and the lizard-like mercenaries forced on her by her untrustworthy ally, the Morgawr, are closing in, with acquisition and murder in their hearts.

Fans of Terry Brooks will know precisely what to expect from him: undemanding sword-and-sorcery adventure with touches of the gloomily mysterious and of more complex emotions. This is Brooks at his best and this novel is the least dependent on earlier models as it becomes clear that in this sequence the relationship between good and evil is more complicated than usual. --Roz Kaveney, Amazon.co.uk ... Read more

Customer Reviews (181)

Formulaic Brooks under the guise of something new
While this book at first seems to be something new for Brooks, with no major world-threatening Dark Lord or cataclysm looming, no massive battles between elvish and demon-inspired armies, and a new and world-altering technology in the Four Lands, in the end, we still get the same old Brooks here.The characters are exactly the same as in previous books, just with new names (with the exception of the excellent and original Truhls Rohk).We have the Druid, the highlander, the dwarf, and the reluctant and confused young hero that can't figure out his place.The Druid still finds it necessary to conceal and deceive, and hates himself for it.The heroic brothers (er.. cousins here) promise to take care of each other while you just know something will come between them.And there are plenty of other parallels between this one and past Brooks books.So while this book describes a quest to find some powerful magic from the "Old World", and not a battle with an evil force bent on world domination, the story reads much the same as the previous Shannara books.

The majority of this first book in the trilogy is spent introducing the rather large company that goes on the voyage.In fact, so much time was spent in early character development that the end of the book felt rushed and ill-timed.After spending close to 300 pages assembling the company and describing the huge adventure to undertake, the actual journey and the excitement therein happens in the blink of an eye.Hopefully the story will slow down a bit and allow for some more detailed accounting of the rest of the adventure in the next book.That being said, the last part of this one was very good, and while it ended in a brutal cliff-hanger, compelled me to up my rating to the honorable 4-STARS.

Overall, I couldn't help but to be somewhat disappointed in this one, with its formulaic outline and delivery and the slow beginning, but I do have hopes for the rest of the series.Recommended with reservation to fans of Brooks' other work.But save yourself some money and some shelf space by getting all three books of the trilogy in one volume: The Voyage of the Jerle Shannara Trilogy.

Great book
In this first of the series, author Terry Brooks brings us back to his world of the Shannara series. When a blinded and muted elf washes up on the coast, carrying a mysterious map, the Druid Walker is summoned. Walker organizes a mission, peopled by an unusual collection of elves, humans, a dwarf, and a mysterious man of unknowable powers. But, an evil witch, the Ilse Witch, with powers to rival Walker shadows the party and dread prophecies bode ill for the mission. Undaunted, the party sets off in a new airship, into the unknown depths of the Blue Divide.

Being the first book in a series, this book contains a good deal of character introduction and development. Through it all though, Terry Brooks keeps the story moving, with the pace of the story accelerating as the chapters roll along. His introduction of the magical/technological airships is a fascinating development. Overall, this is a great book, and well worth you time and money.

Interesting book, well read by Sam Fontana.
This book, the first in another series of Shannara books, is well read by Sam Fontana, his creating different voices for the characters, lends a more exciting reading of the book, than just plain reading. His snake like, hissing, voice for the character of Truls Rohk is particularly good. I haven't finished it yet, but what I've heard so far makes it good. I look forward to the next part of the series Antrax. Charles Keating is good when he reads, but Fontana is a close second. Worth a listen.
This erratum/addendum to a prior review I did for this was, in addition to Truls Rohk, which I said had a snake like hiss, to his voice, provided by Sam Fontana, in the reading of this, was Cree Bega, another character in this excellent title from Terry Brooks.

Great story line
I think the Voyage of the Jerle Shannara series were wonderful.Full of character development and great plot.The only thing that really bothered me about the book are the girl characters.I don't understand why they are so annoying, the author portrays most of the girl characters as whiny, naggy, stubborn, obnoxious and overall just plain annoying.Don't get me wrong, I'm not being sexist because I'm a chick myself but these characters are the reason I'm giving 4 stars instead of 5.But for other readers, if you are not bothered by these character's traits, by all means read this series because it is very enjoyable.

Great book
In this first of the series, author Terry Brooks brings us back to his world of the Shannara series. When a blinded and muted elf washes up on the coast, carrying a mysterious map, the Druid Walker is summoned. Walker organizes a mission, peopled by an unusual collection of elves, humans, a dwarf, and a mysterious man of unknowable powers. But, an evil witch, the Ilse Witch, with powers to rival Walker shadows the party and dread prophecies bode ill for the mission. Undaunted, the party sets off in a new airship, into the unknown depths of the Blue Divide.

Being the first book in a series, this book contains a good deal of character introduction and development. Through it all though, Terry Brooks keeps the story moving, with the pace of the story accelerating as the chapters roll along. His introduction of the magical/technological airships is a fascinating development. Overall, this is a great book, and well worth you time and money. ... Read more

Product Description
Horris Kew, conjuror and confidence-trickster, had returned to the Magic Kingdom of Landover, and a chorus of disapproval rang in Ben Holiday's ears. Both Questor Thews, the court wizard, and Abernathy, the court scribe, urged Ben to lock Horris up or send him away. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (20)

Excellent
Tangle Box is an excellent and perfectly measured out combination of fantasy and adventure. Terry Brooks never dissapoints to surprise me.

A really fun series of fantasy books
In this sequel to Wizard at Large, Ben Holiday receives the joyous news that his wife, Willow is pregnant, but his joy is short-lived when she tells him that she must now go off. To make matters worse, a troublesome old conjurer returns to Landover from exile, and unbeknownst to anyone else, he has brought along an evil fairy creature called the Gorse. The Gorse has plans to conquer Landover, and he begins by locking Holiday, Strabo and Nightshade in the Tangle Box, the prison that had held him for so long. If they are to escape, it is up to Holiday, Strabo and Nightshade to overcome the magic that holds them and work together. And, if Willow is to have a healthy baby, she must gather dirt from three worlds that are the roots of the baby - Landover, Earth and the land of the Fairy. Meanwhile, the Gorse has plans for Landover, and he is going to let nothing stand in his way.

This is another great book, from a really fun series of fantasy books. I didn't expect a lot out of the Landover books, as the premise sounded a little immature to me. But, I nonetheless found these to be a fun series of books with interesting characters and suspenseful stories. I really enjoyed this book, Book #4 in the series, and do not hesitate to recommend it, and the rest of the series to everyone!

A Good Lanover Novel and a Top Notch Audio Production!
****** Contains Minor Spoilers ******

As simple as this world of Landover is and the small number of characters involved in Landover, Terry Brooks somehow finds a way to make yet another interesting story to the Landover series. The voice acting is done by Dick Hill who had done all the Landover audio books up to this point and has done yet another good job, and because Dick does all the Landover books it brings a welcomed sense of familiarity.

The story brings another character from Earth that was exiled from Landover back into the story: This time its Horris Kew who is a conjuror with a similar ability of Questor Thews to get into trouble with his magic, but in the case of Horris Kew he is very selfish and his mistakes usually become evil mistakes, as happens in this story when he opens the Tangle Box. Somehow he had possession of the Tangle Box on Earth and when fleeing his latest snafu and the Tangle Box talks to Horris Kew and his bird companion Biggar and gets them to let whoever is in the Tangle Box out.

The creature imprisoned in the box is a fairy mist creature called the Gorse, and he wants revenge of the fairy world for imprisoning him in the box, but to do that he must get rid of the powers of Landover: Ben Holiday, Strabo the dragon and Nightshade the witch, which he does with Horris Kew's help by placing them into the Tangle Box where they lose their memory and are lost in a labyrinth.

On another quest is Willow who is to have he baby, and for her child since she is to be born of Landover, the Fairy Ream, and of Earth must collect earth from all three worlds and root herself in these solids to give birth. As expected the two quests of hers and Ben Holiday become entwined.

This was a very enjoyable Landover book, one of my favorites. If you like Landover you should have no problem liking this audio production of The Tangle Box.

The Tangle Box
The book came fast and is in the very good condition that I needed for my collection. Thank you.

An Ancient Evil
The Tangle Box (1994) is the fourth fantasy novel in theMagic Kingdom of Landover series, following Wizard at Large.In the previous volume, Questor convinced Strabo to help Ben.Then he had a private word with Michel.Later, he stopped up the bottle.

In this novel, Ben Holiday is a former trial lawyer.He has been King of Landover for about three years.Now he is married to Willow.

Willow is a sylph, the daughter of the River Master and a wood nymph.She is now Ben's wife.

Questor Thews is the court wizard of Landover.He was the half-brother of the former court wizard.He has gotten better at wizardry and has even learned a little wisdom.

Abernathy is the court scribe.He is also a talking dog.He had once been a human, but had been transformed by Questor.The wizard has not yet been able to restore his human form.

Horris Kew is a minor conjurer and a con artist.He had been banished to Earth with the myna bird Biggar about two decades ago.

The Gorse is a creature of fairy, very powerful and very evil.It had been trapped by the other residents on fairy and bound in the tangle box.

In this story, Horris is very angry at Biggar for blowing his con.Biggar might have magically enhanced intelligence, but he is still a birdbrain at times.This time, the bird claims that Skat Mandu contacted him and told him to confess all.Since Horris had created Skat Mandu out of his own imagination, the scammer cannot believe Biggar.

Horris takes the tangle box and escapes from his irritated victims.He is not really sure what the box is, but he conjured it up one day and is very certain that it is the most valuable thing that he possesses.Biggar tells him a sequence of magic words and Horris pronounces them.The box lid disappears, mists arise from the box and they flee through the mists.

They find themselves back in Landover.Then Horris and Biggar are confronted by the Gorse.It tempts them with promises of power over the whole kingdom.The Gorse has Horris write three notes and sends Biggar to deliver them.

Meanwhile, Willow informs Ben of her pregnancy.He is astonished and joyful.He quickly dresses and bounds down the stairs to tell the news to his friends.When he arrives in the dining room, his announcement is delayed by the arrival of Horris and Biggar.

Questor recognizes Horris and is adamant that he should be thrown into a cell in the dungeons.Even Abernathy is against listening to Horris.Yet Ben invites Horris into the chamber and hears his supplication, but only promises to consider the request.

Willow goes on a quest at the invitation of the Earth Mother.She tells Ben that she has to go alone.When she reaches the elemental spirit, the Earth Mother gives her certain instructions.

Ben receives a note under his pillow and goes to meet Strabo at the Heart, but finds Nightshade instead.She too had received a note that she believed came from Ben.Strabo appears after receiving a note from Nightshade.Then Horris triggers the trap and all three are sucked into the tangle box and trapped within the Labyrinth.

This tale leaves Ben, Nightshade and Strabo within the box without any memory of their entrapment.Willow continues on her quest to prepare for the child's birth.Horris and Biggar remain unaware of their own forthcoming betrayal by the Gorse.

The story has the usual twists and turns, with various surprises here and there.The next volume in this series is Witches' Brew.Read and enjoy!

Recommended for Brooks fans and for anyone who enjoys tales of magic kingdoms, fairy magic, and true romance.

-Arthur W. Jordin ... Read more

Product Description
Horror stalked the Four Lands as the Ildatch, ancient source of evil, sent its ghastly Mord Wraiths to destroy Mankind. Only Druid Allanon held the magic power of wishsong that could make plants bloom instantly or turn trees from green to autumn gold. But she, too, was in mortal danger, and Ildatch waited for Brin to fall into his trap....
... Read more

Customer Reviews (95)

One of my favorite Terry Brooks books
I really enjoyed this book.I found it to be very clever and exciting.It may be true that Mr. Brooks books have similar story lines or seemingly recycled characters, butI find that he captures my imagination each time, despite this. His books work for me because they are good against evil, and he sends his characters on impossible missions and they overcome through self-sacrifice and love.Characters are developed thoroughly and the story is fast paced.There is enough romance, danger, mystery and magic to keep me re-reading this book every couple of years, along with all of the other Terry Brooks books I own.

loved the outcome from Elfstones
Watch Video Here: http://www.amazon.com/review/RNPJ8E51QS80M I thought this really was a great wrap up of the series and was very interested to see how the elfstones affected the people involved in this book, how it changed lives and exactly what the magic Brooks created was capable of.

An Awesome Conclusion to the Shannara Trilogy
Wishsong of Shannara is the third book in the Sword of Shannara trilogy and with this book author Terry Brooks magnificently puts his talents together and has woven a solid conclusion to the trilogy. The land is ready to enter a new era without the threat of the dark magic found the first trilogy.

Wishsong follows the tradition of the descendents of the Ohmsford bloodline needed to fulfill a quest. Brother and sister Bryn and Jaire Ohmsford are well-developed, intriguing characters that the reader becomes attached to. Also, the supporting cast of characters is outstanding.

An ancient warlock is stirring and the evil book, from which he acquires his dark power, the Illdach, is still in the four lands. Allanon is last of the druids and he wants Bryn Omsford to accompany him and use her birthright and magic, her gift of the wishsong, to destroy the book. When her twin brother, Jair learns of the danger she faces, he goes to find Bryn before the book can corrupt her.

The trilogy is brought to its dramatic conclusion in Wishsong of Shannara. The plot is monumental and the climax of the story arc is intense inasmuch as Allanon's story seems to be come full circle as the age of the Druids passes into history. Terry Brooks has written an exciting and engaging novel that incorporates events of the previous two books. This is a fine read and a nice finish to this part of the series.

Good But Strange Premise
This is a good enough book in the series but the premise of it is a bit odd - that the magic can be exhibited through a song. I understand that fantasy authors sometimes try to do something different with their stories but it got a little peculiar and in the beginning it felt like this was a bit of a force. It isn't an issue after the initial Weird Factor though.

I believe this book marks a bit of a progression forward for Brooks as an author. He relies on Allanon less and introduces some other interesting characters, specifically Garet Jax who brings a new, and quite different, protective figure to the narrative. He also introduces the concept of a dual-barreled storyline in this, as opposed to one main story and several smaller ones. This is almost like 2 books in one that converge at the end.

Pretty good book, I'll keep reading his stuff.

Best of the Series
In a series that I liked when I was young this was the best. Then I read Lord of the Rings and I realized that Brooks would be absolutely nowhere without Tolkien. While that can be said for many authors, few leap out as much as Brooks. This book and the second set of Shanara books do deviate a little and had a few good ideas but overall the aren't very memorable.

Still, if you liked the First King/Sword/Elfstones of Shanara you will probably like this one too. Personally I like Tolkien or Michael Von Werner a lot more for a good epic. ... Read more

Product Description
"Find the Elves and return them to the world of Men!" the shade of the Druid Allanon had ordered Wren.
It was clearly an impossible task. The Elves had been gone from the Westland for more than a hundred years. There was not even a trace of their former city of Arborlon left to mark their passing. No one in the Esterland knew of them -- except, finally, the Addershag.
The blind old woman had given instructions to find a place on the coast of the Blue Divide, build a fire, and keep it burning for three days. "One will come for you."
Tiger Ty, the Wing Rider, had come on his giant Roc to carry Wren and her friend Garth to the only clear landing site on the island of Morrowindl, where, he said, the Elves might still exist, somewhere in the demon-haunted jungle.
Now she stood within that jungle, remembering the warning of the Addershag: "Beward, Elf-girl. I see danger ahead for you . . . and evil beyond imagining." It had proved all too true.
Wren stood with her single weapon of magic, listening as demons evil beyond all imagining gathered for attack. How long could she resist?
And if, by some miracle, she reached the Elves and could convince them to return, how could they possibly retrace her perilous path to reach the one safe place on the coast?
... Read more

Customer Reviews (55)

Shannara Series book
Another great book by Terry Brooks... a must read for anyone that loves the Shannara Epic.

Wonderful focus on the elves and magic
Watch Video Here: http://www.amazon.com/review/R1PW3G40DUIQX4 I was glad to see how the elven magic system was used and what effect it had

Quite good I must say!
This is the first "Shannara" related book i've read (read "The Magic Kingdom.... series some years ago)& thought it to be a very enjoyable book. I will now want to eventually read the other books in the "Shannara" storyline!

Possibly my least favorite of the series
The Elf Queen, predictably, follows Wren in her quest to find the missing Elves and bring them back to the Westland. She and her Rover protector and friend, Garth, are taken by a Wing Rider to an island many hours off the coast, where she has learned the Elves relocated without word to anyone more than a hundred years ago. The island had been a reclusive paradise, an escape from the encroaching Federation rule and the dark Shadowen that had started infecting the land. But all is not well, anymore, on Morrowindl, the once-paradise refuge.While the Wing Riders and the Land Elves had corresponded for years during the Elves self-imposed exile, no Elf has come out of Arborlon (the relocated version of the city!) in decades. The island has become overrun with all sorts of horrendously bad demons, and the Elves are trapped in their city behind a wall of magic...which happens to be failing. Meaning soon, the demons could invade the city and destroy them. Wren insists on making her way to the Elves and fulfilling her charge. I won't give any more plot away, but this also is a fairly entertaining and unique book in the series. At times I felt there were actually too many deaths, and that the sadness for these deaths was a bit contrived. Characters that other characters had just met are horribly devastated over the loss. I mean, I've never been in a battle, facing deprivation, exhaustion and the constant threat of death. Maybe it's natural to form...unnatural...connections to people in a situation like that. But at times it just felt like Brooks was trying to pull my heartstrings. I think that's the only reason this wasn't my favorite over Druid, there was just too much insincerity.

please make it stop
Well, I read the Magic Kingdom series years back, and that was fun and lively story. I haven't read the original Shannara series. This is my first. Book 1 of the series was good with some action. Brooks did an average plus job of introducing the story line; enough to keep me wanting to read. Book 2 continued on with the average plus. Good story line and engaging characters. You can almost feel Walker Boh's plight. However, Book 3, the story of Wren, is nearly horrid in reading. This book made me want to quit reading the series. Poor Wren has to use some magic pebbles(the Elfstones) to get her out of trouble. And she must cry about it every time. The storyline would be pretty good, if Brooks would not stop every other page to show us Wrens crybaby attitude. OK already, we know her history, quit reminding us after every other scene. Brooks skips over much of the action, and fight scenes are usually done in a sentence or two, while Wren's continuous fretting over growing up and having to use magic goes on page after page. If you take out Wren's constant crying and descriptions of acacia trees, you might have 150 pages of story. Uggh!!! Boring!!! I'm just starting Book 4 and already we are back to almost good plot and action. I hope Wren dies in this book. Will be the last time I read Brooks. Anybody want these books??? ... Read more

Product Description
This is a light satirical spoof based on Terry Brooks' novel -Magic Kingdom. It is original, but it follows Terry's story. It is lighthearted, humorous and fun.
This is a 51,000 word, 189 pages (on Microsoft Word) fantasy adventure.
Jerry, my artist, is working on a cover for me; meanwhile, here is the coarse prototype.
Watch my blog to see if this goes to paperback: davethedc.wordpress.com
Search "Frontmire" on amazon for my other books or cut and paste:http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Ddigital-text&field-keywords=frontmire&x=0&y=0&ih=8_0_0_0_0_0_0_0_0_2.200_144&fsc=-1 ... Read more

Product Description
New York Times bestselling author Terry Brooks became the master of epic fantasy with the publication of his legendary debut, The Sword of Shannara. Since then, each new novel in the Shannara saga has brilliantly built upon and deepened the world of breathtaking magic, adventure, and intrigue he created. In The Voyage of the Jerle Shannara—his third enchanting series—he literally took his legions of loyal readers soaring to new heights as a colorful contingent of characters took to the skies aboard a magnificent airship on a quest fraught with wonder and danger.

Now in Morgawr, the quest at last draws to its climactic conclusion, as the forces of good and evil vying against each other to possess an ancient magic race towards an explosive clash—and whatever fate awaits the victor . . . and the vanquished. Harrowing confrontations with the merciless Ilse Witch and the monstrous Antrax have already taken their toll on the intrepid heroes of the Four Lands. But their darkest adversary now snaps at their heels, in the form of the Morgawr—master of the Ilse Witch, feeder upon the souls of his enemies, and centuries-old sorcerer of unimaginable might.

With a fleet of airships and a crew of walking dead men at his command, the Morgawr is in relentless pursuit of the Jerle Shannara and the crew that mans her. For the Morgawr, the goal is two fold: to find and control the fabled ancient books of magic, and to destroy the dark disciple who betrayed him—the Ilse Witch. But the Ilse Witch is already a prisoner . . . of herself. Exposed to the awesome power of the Sword of Shannara, and forced to confront the truth of her horrifying deeds, she has fled deep into her own mind. Now at the mercy of those who seek vengeance against her, her only protector is her long-lost brother, Bek Ohmsford, who is determined to redeem his beloved sister . . . and deliver her to the destiny predicted for her by the Druid Walker Boh.

Once again, Terry Brooks weaves together high adventure, vividly wrought characters, and a spellbinding world into an irresistible story of heroism and sacrifice, love and honor. In Morgawr, fans of the Shannara mythos will find both a satisfying finale and the promise of new wonders yet to come.


From the Hardcover edition. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (85)

Good wrap up to a fresh series in the Brooks style
Watch Video Here: http://www.amazon.com/review/RRDAKB4MIT6S0 I do agree that Brooks wrapped up the trilogy in his usual manner.I did admire how he went back to a more magical, mythical writing style from his previous use of a more sci fi-quasi borg trek theme in his second book.I was glad to see what paths the different people took and sorry to see some go.I did like how the characters beat impossible odds at points.

Interesting Change of Pace
Unlike a number of other reviewers, I enjoyed this series specifically because it was *different* from the others, while still having all the appropriate ties to the Shannara past. I had a difficult time putting the books down, and read them through one after another.

Yes, I do think that Mr. Brooks should consider using his elven hunters in ways other than as the proverbial "red shirts" from Star Trek.But, I also understand why he does it.If the story is going to be real-seeming, people are going to die. If the main characters are going to survive (and not all do), then you have to be willing to allow minor characters to die. And, LOTS of people die in this series.

The one thing that bothers me about all his books...characters spend DAYS tied up, catatonic, or imprisoned, and they never have to relieve themselves. While I don't care to hear the details, it bothers me that they need food and water, but never get away for even a minute for "necessity's" sake.For some reason, it takes away from the story's believability for me.

Overall, though, I thought the plot interesting, the characters enjoyable, and the action fast-paced.I really enjoyed the books.

Fitting,,but very predictable.
This was a good ending to the series. But since ive read all brook's former books its was pretty obvious what was going to happen. Quenitn finding his sword the way he did was rediculous.

Brooks is Awesome
As always, when it comes to a fantasy series - Terry Brooks is the master.

The finale and a review of the trilogy
The Isle Witch has discovered the truth about herself, and seeks to make amends for herself by helping those she once considered enemies escape from the land of Antrax.But her ex-ally and mentor the Morgawr has other plans for his protégé and the crew of the Jerle Shannara.

This final book of the "Voyage of the Jerle Shannara" trilogy is not to be missed, but is all conclusion and would not be enjoyable if you have not first read the first two installments: "Ilse Witch," and "Antrax."

If you are not familiar with Terry Brooks, or have not read any of his "Shannara" novels this trilogy would be an excellent place to start, and may want to stop reading this review now.If you are familiar with the Shannara series you may want to read the notes I have added below.

This series features the return of Walker Boh, who I consider to be Brooks' greatest characters and one of the top characters of this genre.We find Walker right where we left him at the end of the "Heritage" series.Battling with his own internal conflicts regarding his new mantle as Druid, and trying hard not to become the deceiver he always considered Allanon to be.His thought processes and conflicts are always very real, no matter how fantastic the setting of the story might be.
The antagonist of the trilogy is the Ilse Witch, whose true identity can be guessed almost immediately by those familiar with the `Shannara' novels.Like Walker, she is extremely well rounded as a character.Her anger, irritations and emotions are so real that I constantly found myself remembering my own sister as a teenager ( In my mind's eye they have the same face).She is the perfect rival for Walker and their relationship, while all original and all Brooks, has just a hint of Star Wars in it (Master vs. Apprentice (or in this case would-be apprentice)).
These two characters and their struggles, as well as the descriptions of the airships and some of the supporting characters make this book highly readable and enjoyable.

However, for Brooks fans there are a couple of downers, namely; Quentin Leah and Bek Rowe (Ohmsford) .
Quentin Leah's character was a great disappointment to me.His ancestor Morgan Leah was my favorite character from the "Heritage" series and like Walker was one of the characters who truly grew and changed throughout the series.He was an amazing well written and real character (particularly for a novel of this genre).Quentin, however, is not.He begins the trilogy just as Morgan did, brash and confident and ends the trilogy the exact same way.It's as if he experiences nothing throughout the whole journey.He is similar in this way to Menion and Rone Leah (of `Sword of S.' and `Wishsong of S.'), but they were supporting characters, one dimensional by nature, and didn't take up as many pages as Quentin does.Brooks would have been better off mixing Quentin with one of the other supporting characters to make a more dynamic character, or simply leaving him out altogether.
Bek Rowe (Ohmsford) is another character we have seen before.His character is part Par and part Jair (which might be overly critical of me to mention as he is their ancestor and part each by default).His personal conflict revolves around his identity, or lack of, as he was orphaned at a young age.His lineage is fairly obvious to anyone who is familiar with `Shannara,' and I felt the tension building as he came closer to discovering the truth, but when the truth is revealed the tension just fizzles.After pages and pages of `Who am I really?"Bek accepts the amazing truth rather casually."Oh, really I am a member of that famous family, and have all sorts of magic abilities I didn't know about.No kidding."
The reality is that it wouldn't matter how well Brooks had written Quentin and Bek, they would still be been there, read that.I enjoy all of his books and think he is a tremendous writer, but every Shannara novel at some point involves tracking down an Ohmsford, and usually a Leah.The Leah is always reckless and brash and the Ohmsford is always reserved and not too sure.They are also nearly always hunting or fishing (or about to go hunting or fishing) in the highlands of Leah.Brooks could have quite easily made them two soldiers in the Freeborn Army (who we know Morgan fought with for a time) or made them tavern keepers in Varfleet (Par's father-in-law, Padishar, owned a bar there).It seems that despite all the adventures their families have been involved in that they always end up right back there in the middle of no where.Maybe we'll meet them there again.I hope so. ... Read more

Product Description
Here together for the first time in one volume are the first two books in Terry Brooks’ enthralling epic, The Heritage of Shannara.

Since the death of the Druid Allanon, the Four Lands have changed profoundly, with magic strictly forbidden in the Southland, now under totalitarian rule. In Book One, The Scions of Shannara, Par Ohmsford, descendant of the fabled Shea and possesor of the power of the Wishsong, accidentally brings a mythic horror to life, and a man calling himself Cogline drives it away. Cogline brings a message from Allanon: venture to the dread Hadeshorn, along with the other Scions of Shannara– Par, his brother Coll, Wren, and Walker Boh. On the way to the Hadeshorn, they must face the dangerous Shadowen. When they finally arrive, Allanon's spirit reveals a dangerous secret. In the future, all life in the Four Lands will be destroyed. To prevent this terrible fate, Allanon commands Par to recover the long-lost Sword of Shannara, a task that is next to impossible.
Ancient evil forces remain in control of the Four Lands in The Druid of Shannara. To restore the Keep of the Druid Allanon, Walker Boh sets out on a journey to find the black Elfstone. After narrowly escaping death, he learns that the Elfstone lies in the hands of the Stone King. Now Walker Boh must venture into perilous, unknown lands with a strange band of fellow travelers that includes Morgan Leah, whose once-magic sword has been broken; Quickening, the daughter of the ancient King; and Pe Ell, an assassin who hatches his own dark, sinister plot. Can they capture the black Elfstone and restore peace to the Four Lands? ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Great Book
The Shannara Books are a great read. Each book is better than the one before. I highly recommend it.

Swept away by Mr. Brooks
Someone recently told me that the Shannara series is post-apocalypse and this has caused me to reread them after all these years.

Mr. Brooks paints a better series than J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter. His characters have much more depth. The book is action-packed. His imagery flows like water and carries you through the scenes.

The maturity level of the characters, their level of diction, and the way they carry themselves is very mature and admirable. Subsequently, with the action packed, this is a book for adults as well as adolescents.

There was never a dull moment and I found it difficult to put every book in this series down.

Brooks has a way of weaving language together that makes a scene beautiful. He shows instead of tells, which is a skill that separates him as a distinguished writer.

Good Book?
Of Course, being in the Shannara series, it was a great book

BUY IT! ... Read more

Product Description
Former Chicago lawyer Ben Holiday was proud and happy. And why not? The Magic Kingdom of Landover, which he ruled as High Lord, was finally at peace, and he and his wife, the sylph Willow, could watch their daughter Mistaya grow.
And grow she did--shooting through infancy in months, learning to walk and to swim in the same week. Mistaya had been born a seedling, nourished by soils from Landover, Earth, and the fairy mists, come into being in the dank, misty deadness of the Deep Fell. With dazzling green eyes that cut to the soul, she was as lovely as her mother, and Ben wanted nothing more than to enjoy his daughter's childhood and his peaceful kingdom forever. But his idyll was interrupted when Rydall, a king of lands beyond the fairy mist, assembled armies on Landover's border and threatened to invade unless Ben was able to defeat Rydall's seven champions.
Some counseled the High Lord to refuse Rydall's challenge, but Holiday could not, for Mistaya had been snatched from her guardians by foul magic. And Rydall held the key to her fate...
... Read more

Customer Reviews (22)

Part of my favorite book series
I bought this book to replace the paperback version and complete my set in this series. This is absolutely my favorite book series. I have read it many times. I have also read Brooks' Shanara series, but it is more complicated (in the order of Lord of the Rings) and therefore harder to follow and remember all the characters. Brooks is an excellent fantasy writer (even if it seems he borrows heavily from Tolkien!)This series takes place in modern times-- now-- instead of an unknown ancient or future time. I have always wanted to go to Virginia to try to find the place where you cross over into Landover..... ;-)

Nightshade's Plot
Witches' Brew (1995) is the fifth fantasy novel in the Magic Kingdom of Landover series, following The Tangle Box.In the previous volume, Horris foiled the Gorse's plans.Ben was finally reunited with Willow and his newborn child.Later, Horris was sent back to Earth and became a bestselling fantasy author.

In this novel, Ben Holiday is a former trial lawyer.He has been King of Landover for about five years.He is married to Willow and has a two year old daughter.

Willow is a sylph, the daughter of the River Master and a wood nymph.She is also Ben's wife.

Mistaya is the daughter of Ben and Willow.Misty was gestated by soil from Landover, Earth and the fairy mists.She grew into a human looking infant, but developed more quickly.She has the body of a ten year old and the mind of someone in the mid twenties.

Questor Thews is the court wizard of Landover.He was the half-brother of the former court wizard.His wizardry has improved and he has gained more wisdom.

Abernathy is the court scribe.He is also a talking dog.He had once been a human, but had been transformed by Questor.The wizard has not yet been able to restore his human form.

Bunion is a kobold.He is the court runner, strong, fierce and able to move faster and further than almost any other creature.He has been with Ben since the beginning of these adventures.

Haltwhistle is a mud puppy.He serves the Earth Mother and has his own form of magic.

Nightshade is the Witch of Deep Fell.She came from the fairy mists long ago.She hates Ben, especially since the tangle box affair.

In this story, Nightshade has been observing Misty for the past two years.One day, she lets Misty find her hiding in a tree as a white crow with red eyes.After Ben calls Misty back to the picnic, the witch flies away to the Deep Fell to initiate her plans.

The next morning, Willow awakens with a premonition of great harm.Then Abernathy tells them that someone is outside the gates of Sterling Silver.Ben finds a black knight and a hunched companion on the other side of the moat and a black gauntlet thrown down on the causeway as a challenge.

Naming himself Rydell, the knight claims to be the King of Marnhull, an empire on the other side of the fairy mists.He threatens Landover with a huge army of conquest.He asks Ben to relinquish the throne of Landover to save countless deaths from the invasion.

When Ben refuses, Rydell offers an alternative to invasion.He will send seven creatures to fight with Ben or his champion.If Ben wins all seven conflicts, Rydell will leave Landover.Otherwise, Rydell will take the throne from Ben.

Ben finally accepts the challenge.He and Willow send Mistaya to her grandfather, the River Master.But Nightshade attacks the escort and tries to kill Questor and Abernathy.Yet her deadly magic is nullified by Haltwhistle and the court wizard and scribe are translated to Earth instead.

Rydell announces the abduction of Misty and produces her pony as evidence.Willow recognizes the pony and scarves as belonging to her daughter.Ben sends Bunion to check whether Misty had arrived in the Elderew.When Bunion confirms that Mistaya had never reached the Lake Country, Ben starts searching for his daughter elsewhere in Landover.

Meanwhile, Nightshade convinces Misty that she has been rescued from an abduction attempt by Rydell and that her parents know where she is.Then Nightshade offers to teach her magic and Mistaya accepts the offer.Nightshade soon begins her first lesson.

This tale has Misty learning magic in the Deep Fell, Questor and Abernathy stranded on Earth, and the King and Queen of Landover frantic over their missing daughter.Powerful creatures appear to challengeBen.Nightshade is gleefully anticipating the final step in her evil plot.

This is the last novel in the original series.But another volume has recently appeared:A Princess of Landover.Read and enjoy!

Highly recommended for Brooks fans and for anyone else who enjoys tales of magic kingdoms, perilous adventures, and a very young and magical princess.

-Arthur W. Jordin

Another very good book in the series
In this sequel to The Tangle Box, two strangers appear at the gate of Sterling Silver Castle - the leader identifies himself as Rydall, King of the Marnhull, and challenging Ben Holiday to a contest over the throne of Landover. And when Ben and Willow's daughter, Mistaya, is abducted and Questor Thews and Abernathy disappear, it leaves Ben in the fight of his life. It's Ben's worse nightmare come to life, and he fears that even if he wins he will lose.

But, there is more going on than meets the eye. Rydall is merely a tool of the witch Nightshade, who wants to kill Ben Holiday in a particularly nasty way, and wants to use Mistaya to do it. Questor Thews and Abernathy have been sent to Earth, and are looking for a key that will allow them to return to Landover, but the cost may be more than they could have feared.

Overall, I found this to be another very good book in the series. There's a lot of great action, some really interesting monsters, and a lot of really interesting character development - we learn a lot especially about Nightshade. My one complaint against the story is that while some characters are likable (Questor Thews and Abernathy), and some interesting (Nightshade and Strabo), and some both (Ben Holiday and Willow), Mistaya is not actually either. Too formal and distant to be likable (though she is never unlikable), she is never developed enough to become interesting. I found that disappointing.

But, that said, my problems with Mistaya were not large enough to at all spoil the book for me. I still found it exciting and suspenseful, and I really enjoyed it. This is a great book in a great series, and I do not hesitate to recommend it to everyone!

A review of Witches' Brew
The final (until the next one is written) book in the Landover series!I couldn't believe how disinterested I was in Ben and Willow's storyline.I wanted to spend much more time with Nightshade and Mistaya or Abernathy, Quester, and Elizabeth.Maybe that's because I feel like Willow and Ben have gone about as far as they can go as characters.They do reveal some very personal secrets to each other in this book, but they're always accepting of each others' (mostly Ben's) faults.Mistaya, on the other hand, gets to hear Nightshade's history, though somewhat edited, and they develop a strange friendship that you know can only be doomed in the end.I think that Terry Brooks has some real potential with his villains, but we spend so much time with the heroes of the story, who are fairly bland in comparison, that we hardly ever get the villains' perspective.More Nightshade!

Maybe it's just the move to Washington, but it was very cool to see Abernathy and Quester set in a local environment for me as a reader.I was hoping Elizabeth would reappear in the series, but the potential relationship between herself and Abernathy gets dumped by the wayside for Ben and Willow's story.*grumble*

Okay, I'm complaining a lot.I did like this book, but I never felt pressed to keep reading, so I started and stopped several times along the way.The side characters her are much improved and, while it's not my favorite Landover book, I thought it was a good one.

Opinion on this audio version
I enjoyed the story, however as I travel a lot I rely on audio books to help me pass the travel time.I really enjoyed Dick Hill's narration, and his voices (except for Willow) were wonderful.The narration by Cameron Beierle is very flat and uninteresting.I wish now I had purchased the cassette, which did have Dan Hill's narration. ... Read more

Product Description
FOR USE IN SCHOOLS AND LIBRARIES ONLY. The evil Shadowen have seized control of the Four Lands, and Walker Bok, one of the scions of Shannara, must retrieve the Elfstone from the Stone King. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (73)

All about the Druid!
Watch Video Here: http://www.amazon.com/review/R4J2O0AEX2WX0 Interesting to see one man's journey becoming something he always denied.I loved the focus on the mysterious druids.. and their system of magic

Ordering Books on Amazon
I order quite a few books on Amazon.com and I am always pleased with how quickly they come and the condition they are in. I have also noticed that not only is it cheaper in most cases to order off of Amazon.com for books, but also with text books as well.

Kindle Edition is terrible
I am a huge fan of Terry Brooks and the story line for Druid of Shannarra is wonderful. I would give the book 5 stars. Unfortunately, the Kindle edition is a terrible version. It is full of errors; punctuation, spelling, grammatical. It was very, very distracting.

Too sluggish
Positives:Some good characterization, interesting locals and monsters, neat uses of magic, a few cool fights, fairly good climax and a decent amount of closure. Good secondary characters as well. Not a bad novel in all.

Negatives: Plotting ain't up to 'par'. Very repetitive in the following ways: Morgan Leah grappling with his misgivings; Pe Ell imagining his triumphant moment in identical ways; Walker Boh lamenting over his lost/not lost magic(it's really impossible to tell which). The events of the story are mostly plotted alright, but the character struggles of the story are thrown together poorly, especially Walker. The whole search in Eldwist drags on seemingly without any organization, and the beginning of the story, jumping between Par, Coll, Walker and Pe Ell is just odd. The references to Par and Coll's stories really do nothing to advance this one.
The main problem in this book is organization. The magic elements feel forced, and the rise and fall of character emotions is startlingly bumpy. This book could have used a lot more trimming and rearranging, especially with the inner feelings of the characters. Too much of it repeats for the pace to survive.

Possible favorite of this series
Druid takes off directly where the last one leaves off, only this book focuses mainly on Walker and his quest. Not being a fan of the Druids, or how, in particular, Allanon manipulated his ancestors in the first trilogy's quest, Walker has been reluctant, so far, to take up his charge. But, enticed by information left to him by the long-lived Cogline, Walker had gone in search of the Black Elfstone, which is needed to restore Paranor,at the end of Scions...only to find himself poisoned by a creature called the Asphinx, left in the place the Grimpond told Walker the Elfstone would be. He is slowly turning to stone, and Cogline is unable to cure him. Walker is bedridden and Cogline at a loss for what to do when Rimmer Dal, head of the Seekers, shows up, ostensibly killing Cogline and burning down Walker's home.All seems lost until the daughter of the King of the Silver River, named Quickening, discovers him, buried in the ashes of his destroyed home. She has already picked up Morgan Leah and the unsettling assassin Pe Ell, and after healing Walker, explains to him that they must travel to the far, far north, outside of the known world, to a city now ruled by The Stone King, an ancestor just like the King of The Silver River. The Stone King has gone mad, hoping to turn the entire world to stone. He created a child, much like Quickening, but his child is a giant monster-worm who is slowly infecting the world with stone. The Stone King ventured to the Four Lands and stole the Black Elfstone to protect himself from his own child, who had grown so strong he was threatening his own father. The four must travel to his land and steal back the Elfstone so that Walker can restore Paranor.
Other than a small chunk of the book when the quad is wandering around Eldwist, the Stone King's northern city, which I found to get a bit boring, I think this might be my favorite book of the series. The four characters have an interesting dynamic working, plus the landscape is very creative. It was also interesting to have an "enemy" who really isn't out to destroy, necessarily, our protagonists; in fact, for the most part, he doesn't even notice they're in his kingdom. Yet the four are still in constant mortal danger. Plus this is the first book where Brooks' hint to the connection to the past becomes unavoidably obvious. Definitely a successful second in a series!
... Read more

Product Description

Living 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....

Customer Reviews (2)

My first e-book, very cool.
Looking for a nifty way to waste time with my new iPaq, I stumbled across the free MS ebook reader software and some of my old favorites, the Sword of Shannara and the Elfstones of Shannara, which I have not read in 15 years.

Downloading the ebook to my iPaq is simple and I'm pretty impressed with the font on the small iPaq screen.I can read it for hours without any real eyestrain and the auto-save feature makes picking the book back up easy.

Overall, no real complaints with this technology.

Terry Brooks Shannara Series
Mr. Brooks style of writing is ideal for series style books. He introduces and develops characters smoothly, and does not leave you hanging in the heat of things. Unlike other writers of this category there are few slow spots, the need to finish a chapter to find the outcome will leave you sleepless on more than one occasion. Having read all of his books (more than once) I recommend reading them all. ... Read more

Product Description
Ancient 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....
... Read more

Customer Reviews (213)

Disappointing
I choked on the verbiage. Yakity, yakity, yakity yak. I tossed it in the garbage, after reading sixty or so pages. And this was a Bestseller? Obviously, a lot more people are tolerant of insipid, diluted stories than I am.

Fantastically entertaining!
Read it! As others have said, this book is better than the first book in the series. Really great plot, characters, battles, etc....

Probably the best fantasy book I've read to-date. Wishsong here I come!

A magnificent book!
Well, I read the reviews on page number 21, and I was shocked by the insanity. I personally love the fact that he actually describes the battle tactics and such. I really hate books in which battles are over-simplified. Also, I just love the plain story. The only thing that bothers me is the fact that the whole Ohmsford-family constantly complains about everything, and none of them can handle a weapon like a sword or an axe. That's the only complaint I can come up with.

Books like "the Lord of the Rings" from Tolkien are wonderful as well, but a bit too boring and with far too many details about the landscape and boring things like that. And I don't give a crap about the clothes that some stupid Elf or some stupid Human wears. Don't get me wrong: I love Tolkiens books, but I usually skip the descriptions of the landscapes and clothing. I am more interested in conversations and action.

Anyway, I recommend this book to everyone who is interested in fantasy :)

Intense magic in his second book
Watch Video Here: http://www.amazon.com/review/R3JZJCWOQELB0G Wonderful display of the magic in his second book.

Original and Highly Intense Sequel
Author Terry Brooks hit his stride in this second book of the Shannara trilogy. The plot of Elfstones of Shannara is more original than its predecessor. Whereas the first book set up the fantasy world of great characters and a complex plot of good versus evil, in Elfstones, Brooks weaves an elaborate tapestry that immerses itself in the ancient past of the Four Lands, its myths and legends.

Here, there is more character development, focusing on faerie creatures and their demon enemies. The magical tree, which serves as a barrier for humans, elves, trolls, dwarves and gnomes against the demons who've been locked below the planet's surface, is dying. Now those demons, bent on vengeance against the Elves for imprisoning the demons for centuries, are beginning to break through the thinning wall that prevent them from returning to the Four Lands.

This is a gripping tale centering around the quest of Wil Ohmsford, who must guard the Elven girl Amberle, as she carries a seed from the magical tree to a place where the seed can be planted and grow into a powerful new force to block the demon forces. Along their perilous journey they are being hunted by the Reaper.

The perilous adventure of Wil and Amberle and the ending to the book is very plausible, all of which makes this sequel quite realistic. This is outstanding work by Terry Brooks and a fantastic read.

... Read more

Product Description
In barren desert lands and seedy spaceports . . . in vast underwater cities and in the blackest depths of space . . . unfolds a tale of good and evil, of myth and magic, of innocence and power. Based on the screenplay by George Lucas, this novel by master storyteller Terry Brooks probes the depths of one of the greatest tales of our time, providing rich detail and insight into the minds and motives of the characters--and shedding bold new light on Lucas' brilliant creation.

A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away, an evil legacy long believed dead is stirring. Now the dark side of the Force threatens to overwhelm the light, and only an ancient Jedi prophecy stands between hope and doom for the entire galaxy.

The Jedi Knight Qui-Gon Jinn and his apprentice, young Obi-Wan Kenobi, are charged with the protection of Amidala, the young Queen of Naboo, as she seeks to end the siege of her planet by Trade Federation warships. This quest brings Qui-Gon, Obi-Wan, and one of the Queen's young handmaidens to the sand-swept streets of Tatooine and the shop where the slave boy Anakin Skywalker toils and dreams of finding a way to win freedom from enslavement for himself and his beloved mother. His only hope lies in his extraordinary instincts and his strange gift for understanding the "rightness" of things. It is this unexpected meeting that marks the beginning of the drama that will become legend . . .Amazon.com Review
If you've seen The Phantom Menace in a theater--and,judging from the 1999 box-office figures, who hasn't?--you've probablybeen a bit frustrated by the speed with which the fantastic images andcreatures fly past. There's no such problem with this audiobook. Allthe excitement of the Star Wars prequel is there, but this timethere's breathing room, a chance to meet the characters, let them walkaround in your imagination, hear their thoughts. Actor AlexanderAdams's reading of fantasy master Terry Brooks's novelization is briskbut never rushed, punctuated at chapter breaks by snippets of JohnWilliams's movie score. Unfortunately, those who hate amphibian pestJar Jar Binks's voice probably won't find Adams's approximation anyless obnoxious than the movie's. (Running time: 9.5 hours, 6cassettes) --Lou Schuler ... Read more

Customer Reviews (177)

"The opinions of others whether you agree with them or not are something you have to learn to tolerate"
"The opinions of others whether you agree with them or not are something you have to learn to tolerate"
Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan, two Jedi knights (well, one is a Master, the other his Padawan, but who's counting?), are surreptitiously sent to Naboo to negotiate a treaty to put an end to the blockade the Trade Federation has on the planet.But negotiations are short when the Neimoidians try to kill them and now the Jedi try to get Queen Amidala, ruler of Naboo, to Coruscant, to spur the Republic into action.
NOTE: Based on unabridged audiobook and novel.

I Liked:
Terry Brooks was given an huge task: put the first Star Wars movie for over 15 years into novel form.The previous authors had pretty much taken the screenplay and frilled it out a bit for novel form.But Brooks bucks that.He includes three distinct scenes that are never seen in the movie and were never filmed.One is how Anakin destroys his pod in the first unseen race.This is fundamental to showing Anakin's skill and how the Force is with him in the Boonta Race (which he wins).The second is a scene where Anakin shows compassion on a Tusken Raider.That scene is really poignant especially in light of Attack of the Clones.Instead of hearing how compassionate Anakin is, we get to see it.And the third is a nice summary of the demise of the Sith Order and the rise of the Rule of Two (okay, now we have Jedi Vs. Sith and Path of Destruction, but you have to realize in 1999, we had neither).
Besides these two specific scenes, Brooks takes time to slow things down from the hectic editing of the movie and explain the things that don't quite make sense.Why does Qui-Gon bring the clumsy Jar Jar into Mos Espa?Why does Obi-Wan throw Jar Jar into the droid hold?These are only two of the myriad of minor questions you might have if you just watched The Phantom Menace.
I also liked the insight into characters like Obi-Wan Kenobi (who was irritated by his master's constantly bringing along people for no reason), Qui-Gon (who rebelled because he felt the Force), Jar Jar (who really wasn't as stupid as the movie portrayed him), and Anakin (we get to see some of his dreams, which eerily reminds us of Clones).
Brooks has a nice writing style, easy to understand, nice to listen to, good pacing, and nice descriptions.I had just finished reading Cloak of Deception, which in my review, I noted that it tended to overdescribe, and I was glad that Brooks didn't do that.Also, Brooks was pretty adept at transcribing the podracing scenes and the action scenes.

I Didn't Like:
It's hard, I'll admit, to review a novelization of a movie.It has to stay true to the movie, and yet add something more, else why read the book and not watch the movie?Unfortunately, other than a few unique scenes, there really is very little reason to pick up this novel.
Firstly, I still didn't like how Anakin comes off as being a young adult and no where near the 9 that he is in the movie and in the book.I know part of this problem is in fact the movie, but Brooks doesn't help by having Anakin have way too many romantic thoughts about Padme--way more than a typical 9 year old should have.
Another thing that REALLY bugged me was how Brooks never bothers to write from Padme's point of view.I know this might have blown the secret, but still, Padme/Amidala is a HUGE part of the movie, the main reason for it, from one point of view, and we can't have a single scene written from her?This might not sound like a problem until Brooks has to force Anakin and Jar Jar into the Senate Hall (?!) so that they can hear the big speech she gives the Senate.What the...???Just put Amidala there!Stop treating her like a one-shot love interest and make her a character!
A problem I had with Obi-Wan, actually with many characters, is how racist they appear.Obi-Wan says he doesn't want Jar Jar to tag along because he was a "foolish looking creature".So if Jar Jar was a sexy Twi'Lek it would be okay?Also, I grew embarrassed reading about Panaka's "dark skin" that was mentioned whenever he was in a scene.Why is this necessary?Why didn't anyone comment about Obi-Wan's "white skin"?Also, Padme stereotypes Neimoidians as all being cowards, and I absolutely loathe all-species stereotypes.
The repetition was unnerving.You could make a drinking game out of how often we read about Qui-Gon being "leonine" or someone being "chagrined" (that last one made me want to double face palm).
By far, the biggest problem with this book is how emotionless it comes across.I know that sounds odd, but although we learn more about characters, I still felt an emotional distance from everyone, as if the novel had merely been transcribed from the script (and in more than one place, it was very nearly).When you read a novelization of a movie, you want to learn more information from it, to grow close to the characters, understand what is going on in their heads, feel their feelings.I don't feel that Brooks ever tore down that barrier and truly brought me closer to any of the characters.

Dialogue/Sexual Situations/Violence:
None.
Twi'Lek slave girls.
A few characters die.There is a large battle at the end and several smaller skirmishes.

Overall:
If I had to compare this to the movie, I would definitely say it is better.There is better flow, more clarification, and less wooden acting (and bad scripts).However, it still has its problems: namely never letting Padme speak for herself or letting us emotionally attach to the characters.If you haven't seen the movie, read this book.If you have seen the movie, then I would skip.

Brought to you by:
*C.S. Light*

good translation of the movie
There wasn't a whole lot more offered in the Novel besides another pod race and a bit more dialog.But, I found myself enjoying that little bit extra not contained in the movie.

Better than the movie
I'm a huge Star Wars fan and never really had read one of the books that were adapted from the movie until this one.I remember reading the first time I did back when the movie had just came out and I can remember how I spent every second I could reading this book.If you're a star wars fan like me you'll definitely enjoy the book.I love this book as it makes the movie even better as the book goes into more detail of the story line and plot that you just felt like there was something missing there in the movie.The book is very well written by Terry Brooks the detail and the thoughtfulness that was put into this book is just amazing!I love to read this over and over still!

A surprisingly good novel
I read this book mainly out of curiosity.Even though I'm one of those SW fans who were very disappointed by the film, I was delighted and intrigued by the novel.As only a novel can do, it gave us a glimpse into the story as no film would have been able to do.Also, many irritations in the film (i.e. Boss Nass, Anakin's accidental space victory, and of course Mr. Binks himself), are somehow much less irritating in the novel.This novel would prove a relentless page-turner to even a slow and impatient reader.

In short, Terry Brooks did a great job.

Fun, but the film works better.
This novel is written well enough, and giving Terry Brooks credit for his talent (he is author of the best selling Sword of Shanara series) I have to say that he did a good job with the material he was given.The Phantom Menace is a bode of contention with many and as a film and book, it seemed very scattered in its layout.The film aside, the screenplay on which the novel is based seemed to want to cover a lot of ground but lacked the cohesive-ness of the original trilogy.There is one scene that does stand out and unfortunately it never made its way into the film, in which Anakin Skywalker keeps watch over a Tusken Raider child that has been trapped out in the desert.He tried to free the child but when he can't he stays all night with it to make sure nothing comes to harm it.He wakes in the morning to find himself surrounded by the child's clan and they silently acknowledge his act of selflessness and leave.This scene would have greatly enhanced Anakin's character in the film and would have been echoed beautifully in Episode II when his mother is killed by the Tuskens.In true ironic fashion, this type of tragic element would have worked so well to further empathize viewers sympathy for the title character and it was simple to boot.But in digression, this is a must read novel for die hard Star Wars fans, but not really necessary for the casual fan. ... Read more

Product Description
The Talismans of Shannara))The Scions of Shannara))The Elf Queen of Shannara))The Druid of Shannara))4 ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

A wonderful continuation of the Shannara series.
I read the first four books, and found myself wanting more. I went to the library and found the Heritage of Shannara and immediately read it. The series takes place three-hundred years after the last book, The Wishsong of Shannara.The Fourlands are in trouble when the vile Shadowen poisen the land, drawing the life-giving magic out of the earth.The scions of Shannara gather at the Hadeshorn and recieve charges from the long dead Druid, Allanon. They set out, one sent to retrieve the Elves, who later becomes the Queen of the Elves; one to bring back the Sword of Shannara, a youth that possesses the power of the wishsong; and the third to bring back Paranor, then become a Druid himself. The third believes that magic should not be used and the Druids not be trusted, but eventually learns to trust the magic.The scions go their own ways, and none are sure that they will even accept the charges.They are persuaded, and set out.Par, the youth sent for the Sword, sets out with his brother and a few others.He finds out many secrets, and eventually ends up with the Sword.Walker, the Dark Uncle, does not want to go to return Paranor, but is persuaded by Cogline, who was like a father to him.He finds that he needs the black Elfstone, and sets out to find it, but goes to the wrong place. He gets bit by an Asphinx, and loses his arm.He finds out later that the Elfstone is in an unknown region, and, accompanied by some friends and an unknown person, sets out to find it. They find many bad things, but eventually get out with the Elfstone, but at the loss of Quickening, the daughter of the King of the Silver River, and Pe Ell, the assassin.He also returns Paranor, and becomes the first of the new Druids. Wren, a young woman in search of answers, learns of an island called Morrowindl, and goes there. She finds the Elves trapped by Shadowen, and learns that she is a member of the royal family.Her, her grandmother the Queen, and a few others set out to return the Elves to the Fourlands.She gets them there, and becomes the Queen of the Elves. Back in the Fourlands, Wren and the Elves face a huge army. The new Druid Walker Boh faces the Four Horsemen, War, Famine, Pestilence, and Death. Par faces his own fears, which are on the verge of winning ove him. The climactic end will enthrall the reader, and leave you craving for more.

The Best series Terry Brooks has writen
The Heritage of Shanra is one of the best series that I have read. Once I started reading I could not put it down, I even found my self walking down the street and reading them because I was so enthraled by the storys. ... Read more

Product Description
The time of the Shannara follows in the wake of an apocalypse that has destroyed the old world and very nearly annihilated its people as well. A thousand years of savagery and barbarism have concluded at the start the series with the emergence of a new civilization in which magic has replaced science as the dominant source of power. A Druid Council comprised of the most talented of the new races–Men, Dwarves, Trolls, Gnomes, and Elves, names taken from the old legends–has begun the arduous task of rebuilding the world and putting an end to the racial warfare that has consumed the survivors of the so-called Great Wars since their conclusion.

But the wars continue, albeit in a different form. Magic, like science, is often mercurial, can be used for good or evil, and can have a positive or negative effect on those who come in contact with it. In The Sword of Shannara, a Druid subverted by his craving for magic’s power manipulated Trolls and Gnomes in his effort to gain mastery over the other races. He failed because of Shea Ohmsford, the last of an Elven family with the Shannara surname. Shea, with the help of his brother and a small band of companions, was able to wield the fabled Sword of Shannara to destroy the Dark Lord.

Subsequently, in the Elfstones of the Shannara, his grandson Wil was faced with another sort of challenge, one that required the use of a magic contained in a set of Elfstones. But use of the Stones altered Wil’s genetic makeup, so that his own children were born with magic in their blood. As a result, in the third book of the series, the Wishsong of Shannara, Brin and her brother Jair were recruited by the Druid Allanon to seek out and destroy the Ildatch, the book of dark magic that had subverted the Warlock Lord, and was now doing the same with the Mord wraiths.

The story that follows takes place several years after the conclusion of The Wishsong and again features Jair Ohmsford, who must come to terms with his obsession with the past and his use of his magic that his sister has warned him not to trust

Indomitable by Terry Brooks, appearing soon in the Legends II anthology.



TERRY BROOKS adds an exciting epilogue to The Wishsong of Shannara in “Indomitable,” the tale of Jair Ohmsford’s desperate quest to complete the destruction of the evil Ildatch . . . armed only with the magic of illusion.


PRAISE FOR TERRY BROOKS

Ilse Witch

“If Harry [Potter] has given you a thirst for fantasy and you have not discovered the magic of terry brooks, you are in for a treat. . . . The Voyage of the Jerle Shannara should help fill the void Harry Potter fans feel in the pits of their stomachs, and they might even find themselves waiting for the next Shannara novel with the same thirst they have for Harry.”
–Rocky Mountain News

“This latest volume finds Mr. Brooks’ power ascending . . . The action and creatures come fast and furious.”
–The Dallas Morning News

“If you were delighted and entranced by Michael Ende’s The Never Ending Story, you will definitely want to sample one or more of Terry Brooks’s books.”
–Santa Cruz Sentinel

“This lively new adventure, set a generation later, combines the familiar quest format used in The Sword of Shannara with an array of well-defined characters and malevolent beings. . . . Fans familiar with the Shannara series, and new readers as well, will enjoy this first Shannara tale in four years.”
–Publishers Weekly
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Customer Reviews (2)

Good Short Novel
Terry Brooks in one of my favorite authors.I enjoy his style of writting.The characters are familar and the story is typically good for Terry.

Better Than Expected...
I love short stories.Stories are just that much better when you have to get the whole thing into a limited number of pages.To me, the ultimate novel would have all the chapters be stand alone short stories which connected to tell a greater story.Legends II is another collection of short stories by famous authors which details events from their most noted fantasy worlds.I have not read the collection, but merely Terry Brooks contribution: Indomitable.

I had not predicted this book would be so good.

I guess when Terry Brooks takes a chance, and strays away from his preconceived writing "formula" he can produce some pretty intriguing work.He can actually take interesting ideas, which he had not dealt with before and lay them out in unexpected ways.If there is one thing about Terry Brooks which is always predictable, that is the fact that he is always predictable.

But, when you think about it, this book, like the other three, starts the same way.I guess Terry is predictable after all.Still, this book is a lot different from any of his works before, as it deals with some unexplored territory.You can tell it is quite a stretch for him, and it is quite refreshing after having just read 'Wishsong.'

Highly recommended. ... Read more

Product Description
The beloved Shannara series by New York Times bestselling author Terry Brooks has been acclaimed as a towering achievement, an unquestioned masterpiece in fantasy literature. Now all the wonders of Shannara have been gathered into one indispensable volume in which Brooks shares candid views on his creation. This completely updated edition includes new entries on the High Druid of Shannara and Genesis of Shannara series, as well as the thrilling connection between Shannara and the Word and the Void trilogy. Illustrated throughout with full-color paintings and black-and-white drawings by award-winning artists David Cherry and Rob Alexander, this comprehensive guide ventures behind the scenes to explore the history, the people, the places, the major events, and, of course, the magic of one of the world’s greatest fantasy epics.

What sets Terry Brooks apart? Is it a knack for creating unforgettable characters like Allanon the Druid, Shea Ohmsford, Tom Logan, and Angel Perez–men and women, gnomes and wizards, who come alive on the page? Is it the haunting and utterly believable evil of his darker creations: the foul Dagda Mor, the murderous Jachyra, the enigmatic Ilse Witch, the ruthless Druid Shadea a’Ru? Whatever the secret of Brooks’s storytelling magic, generations of readers have fallen under its spell.

Sure to tantalize faithful fans and newcomers alike, The World of Shannara is the ultimate gateway into the fantasy realm of Terry Brooks–and the perfect companion to take along on the journey of a lifetime. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (21)

LACKING IN SOME DETAIL BUT PRETTY GOOD
When Terry Brooks's "Sword of Shannara" was published in 1977 it became an instant bestseller.While rightly criticized for being derivative of Lord of the Rings, Brooks followed it up with some twenty more novels that distanced itself from Tolkien and placed Brooks at the top echelon of modern fantasy authors.

World of Shannara (completely updated edition) is basically an encyclopedia and atlas to the world of Shannara, detailing the people, places, and events of his fantasy milieu.In nearly 300 pages you get a look at the sprawling landscape that is the Shannara epic from the time of the earliest Druid, Bremen, to Allanon and Walker Boh.The book takes you not only through the original Shannara trilogy but the sequels and prequels that make up Brook's distinct mythology.

One chapter that is welcome is "Rediscovering the Old World".This chapter, and the one of "The Fall of the Old World" are the final two in the book but they tie together Brooks' modern "World/Void" trilogy as the true and earliest prequel to the events in Sword of Shannara.You might even begin with these two chapters and then return to the beginning of the book to read "The Old World and the Great Wars"

The book delves into the many mysterious characters of Shannara's books such as The King of the Silver River, The Stone King, The Morgawr, and the Dagda Mor.It extensively covers the rise of the Druids and the establishment of Paranor, the Druid's Keep.Illustrations by David Cherry and Rop Alexander give a face to the many creatures and characters of Shannara and exquisitely detailed maps top everything off.As detailed as it is, it seems like even a near 300 page book isn't enough to do Shannara justice and some entries seem slight.For Shannara fans it's the perfect complement to the novels.

Relive the story, all over again!
I have read all Shannara and Word and the Void books - they were simply amazing. Then I read the World of Shannara - an excellent compendium of just about any significant place, person or event in the entire epic story - and I relived every part of the story. All the books I have read, some parts forgotten, came back upon reading the World of Shannara.

Written in an immersive, encyclopedian style and beautifully illustrated I can recommend this work to anyone who has read any or all of the Shannara books.

Much better than the first release
I am the biggest Terry Brooks fan, however, the first release of The World of Shannara had some flaws concerning the subject matter of some of Terry's books. I believe that Brooks was only involved minutely to oversee the production of this project.

Now that it has been updated to cover the entire world of Shannara, including cthe Word/Void and Genesis series I am much happier. I have a feeling Terry had more input this time around because the facts are a little more concise now.

However, things I'd still like to see are character illustrations of all major characters in the Shannara & Word/Void series. The fans would love to see how Terry envisions all of the heros & villans. The other thing I'd like to see is the entire series to be laid out in a chronological order as opposed to jumping around within the history of the series.

Disappointing
My daughter bought this book for me as she knows that Terry Brooks is my favorite author.It is misleading to have Terry Brooks' name in large letters on a book he didn't write!I don't think this is worth the money, not even half.

A great companion to the fantastic Shannara epic tales
Everything about this book screams one major thing: RESEARCH.The authors have spent a great deal of time studying the works of Terry Brooks and went to great lengths to include as much as possible about what was available at the time of the printing.Basically nothing was omitted -- that I could see anyway.Details about things I never would have even thought about have been explored in great detail.No stone was left un-turned, so-to-speak.

I have (over the years) developed a basic mental image of what many places and things look like in my minds eye and there are a few that do not meet up with the description I had conjured up in my own imagination, but that didn't stop my enjoyment of learning quite a bit about the history behind the 4 Lands portrayed (along with Parkasia) over the past 26 years in the World of Shannara.

The maps alone were of great interest.Major detail regarding the Druids Keep (VERY well done) and I also very much enjoyed the hundreds of drawings (some color, some black & white) which helped to put a detailed face with the description of many of the best loved Shannara characters over the years such as Garret Jax, The Ilse Witch, The Dagda Mor and even Creepers.

I must admit that since it was written by someone as though they had miraculous never-before-seen access to the Druid Histories it gave the book a more novel-like feel to it, and made it seem much more realistic, as though the authors were documenting a REAL place and not one from a fertile imagination.Very clever and I just cannot get over the incredible attention to detail regarding even some of the most mundane portions of these novels.

Ever wonder about Wren Elessedil and her mentor the Rover Garth?How 'bout the Loden Elfstone for use in time of need.Curious about the Ellcrys Staff, the gift of living wood?What about the history of the Borderlands and those who inhabit that land?It's ALL here -- and a whole LOT more.One thing you do NOT want to do is buy this book expecting an entirely different Shannara tale or something that will add to what has already been written and published.The World of Shannara is nothing more than a companion volume which simply put compiles in one single book the major details regarding ALL of the books (written at the time it was printed).It's a great way to quickly reference virtually any major subject in the vast collection of Shannara tales that have been told.I have no doubt that an expanded edition will be made available within a few years with additional information collected from the more recent novels, but until then, this book will do just fine.

I am very satisfied with my copy of 'The World of Shannara' and as usual, look forward to Terry's next venture into this wonderful fantasy land. ... Read more

Product Description
RUNNING WITH THE DEMON: One Fourth of July weekend, two men come to Hopewell, Illinois. One is a demon, a dark servant of the Void, who will feed off the anger and frustration of the community to achieve a terrible goal. Whilst families picnic and fireworks explode only John Ross, a Knight of the Word, can change the fate of humanity and save the soul of fourteen-year-old Nest Freemark. A KNIGHT OF THE WORD: The years spent saving mankind from the horrors of the Void have taken their toll on John Ross. He's lost his spirit, his belief, and now, it seems his magic. When Nest is once again drawn into the mythic world of the Word and the Void she must warn John to take up his staff of magic once again, or the battle may be lost forever. ANGEL FIRE EAST: For twenty five years, Ross has single-handedly battled against the legion of demons of the Void. But now he learns of a gypsy morph, whose power and wild magics will be an invaluable weapon against the Void - but the Void knowsthis too and will not rest until the creature has been corrupted - or destroyed. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

maybe only for "fantasists"
I was disappointed with the series (I read them separately and sequentially) because I was expecting something more "strong", being a horror fan. The story is ok, but I think it would fare better with fantasy fans. I usually don't read this genre, because I find it tedious and repetitive (as was the case with this series) but I was tempted to try and "break new ground" after reading a review about the first volume in the Fangoria magazine. Well, I will not be caught red handed buying another fantasy book, this is for sure (Lord of the Rings almost sent me in a sate of coma, blasphemous as it should sound, but what can I do? It's true.)

Good storyline collected into one book.
The Word And The Void was a very good series, keeping my attention all the way through, and even getting me to buy the third book in hardcover, which I never do because of cost efficiancy and how hard it is to stick a hardback in your back pocket. It was well worth it though. While the idea of having it in hardcover doesn't always work for me, the idea of not having to look for the next one in the series does. After reading reviews from other books by Terry Brooks, it seems that he might be trying to tie the Word series in with the Shannara series, which, if he can do, (even half as well as Stephen King did with the Dark Tower Series), that will make for an even better treat. The Shannara series has been around for so long, you can't find a true fan of sci-fi/fantasy that hasn't at least heard of, let alone read, the Shannara series. Tying the two together will take two good story lines and make them into one really good story line. It will also show that Terry Brooks isn't in it just for the money as some have suggested, but instead for the readers. Maybe in the future, we can see more of these omnibuses with the different trilogies put together. ... Read more

Product Description
Questor Thews is only a semi-competent wizard, but when High Lord Ben Holiday and his love Willow need use of his powers, he tries to comply. He tries, all right, but he doesn't have all that much faith in himself--not since he turned a terrier into an imp. Still, he'll do what he can....
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Customer Reviews (31)

The Missing Medallion
Wizard at Large (1988) is the third fantasy novel in the Magic Kingdom of Landover series, following The Black Unicorn.In the previous volume, Ben finally found the Black Unicorn.Willow was with the creature and Meeks was threatening them.Questor managed to do some credible magic and the evil wizard vanished in a bright light.

In this novel, Ben Holiday is a founding partner of a rich and well-known law firm.Then he buys the Magic Kingdom of Landover and leaves his friend Miles Bennett in sole charge of the firm.Ben spends the next year restoring the kingdom.

Willow is a sylph, the daughter of the River Master and a wood nymph.She is now Ben's lover.But Ben still cannot overcome his residual feelings for Annie, his deceased wife.

Questor Thews is the court wizard of Landover.He is the half-brother of the former court wizard, now known as Meeks.Questor is getting better at wizardry, but still has many misapplications of his magic.

Abernathy is the court scribe.He is also a talking dog.He had once been a human, but had been transformed by Questor.Then the wizard had not been able to restore his human form.

Bunion and Parsnip are kobolds.Both are retainers of the kingdom.Bunion is the court runner and Parsnip is the cook.

Fillip and Sot are G'home Gnomes.They are short mole-like creatures who burrow into the ground for shelter and thus are always dirty.They are fearful, talk incessantly and like the taste of household pets.These two were the first to pledge their fealty to Ben after arriving in Landover.

Michel Ard Rhi is the former prince of Landover.He was tutored by the court wizard Meeks from an early age and soon developed a mean streak.After the old king died, Michel and Meeks migrated to Ben's world and fleeced buyers by selling the Magic Kingdom.

In this story, Questor has found a way to transform Abernathy back to his human form, but he needs the Paladin medallion to use as a catalyst.Since Questor's magical efforts usually fail in part or completely, Abernathy is not certain that such effort would be beneficial.

Despite his objections, it is obvious that Abernathy wants to regain his human form.Ben reluctantly agrees to the effort and hands the medallion to Abernathy.On the first try, Questor changes Abernathy into a full dog, without speech or hand-like paws.

Embarrassed, Questor tries again and successfully returns Abernathy to his dog-like form and pushes for a full transformation into a human.But then he sneezes and Abernathy disappears.A bottle with dancing harlequins appears in his stead.

Questor believes that he has exchanged Abernathy for the bottle.And he is certain that he has seen the bottle previously, but is unsure of where and when.Later he realizes that the bottle contains a Darkling, a form of demon that does dark magic for the holder of the bottle.

Meanwhile, Abernathy finds himself crowded into a display case.After a while, a young girl comes into the room and soon discovers him within the case.Elizabeth lets him out and takes him to her room.Unluckily, two guards see Abernathy with her and report the news to Michel Ard Rhi, the master of the castle.

Abernathy is caged in the dungeon of the castle -- which had been brought stone by stone to Washington state -- and left with only dry dog food to eat while he considers giving the Paladin medallion to Michel.But Elizabeth sneaks down a hidden stairway and brings Abernathy some real food and plots his escape from the castle.

This tale leaves Ben without the medallion and missing his friend Abernathy.Fillip and Sot take the bottle and hurry toward home.Soon Ben discovers its loss and starts looking for the G'home Gnomes, taking Willow, Questor and the two kobolds.

The Darkling raises havoc within Landover, passing from one holder to another and whispering dark thoughts into their ears.The next volume is The Tangle Box.Read and enjoy!

Highly recommended for Brooks fans and for anyone else who enjoys tales of court wizards, magical quests, and true romance.For those who have not previous read this series, the initial book is Magic Kingdom for Sale - Sold.

-Arthur W. Jordin

A really fun series of fantasy books
In this sequel to The Black Unicorn, Questor Thews' latest attempt to break the spell on Abernathy succeeds in sending him to Earth with Ben's medallion! To make matters worse, Abernathy was swapped for a bottle containing an evil imp, one with the power to cause great trouble in Landover. Now it is up to Ben and Willow to retrieve Abernathy and the medallion from Earth, and for Questor Thews to limit the bottle's damage. But, it soon appears that neither side will find their tasks easy.

This is another great book, from a really fun series of fantasy books. I didn't expect a lot out of the Landover books, the premise sounded a little immature to me. But, I nonetheless found these to be a fun series of books with interesting characters and suspenseful stories. I really enjoyed this book, Book #3 in the series, and do not hesitate to recommend it, and the rest of the series to everyone!

A four star story, but loses a star for disabling txt to speech
I'm enjoying the Landover series, but the quality of the digitization hasn't been great.Still, the stories are definitely worth 4 stars.However, because the publisher has chosen to disable text to speech, the kindle book immediately loses significant value to me.

Amazon should never have backed down on this feature. :(

Fairies, Dragons, Witch's.....
I needed this book along with another to complete the series. Have read several times. Now going to next series.

Wizard at Large by Terry Brooks
Book arrived on time and was in very good shape.I would purchase again from Amazon. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

Terry Brooks has done it again!
With his usual attention to detail and character development, Terry Brooks has created another masterpiece with storytelling flair. He has woven this incredible tale so vividly that I am completely able to visualize everything as it takes place. Mr. Brooks is always at the top of his game.

A faithful novelization
Poor Peter Banning is living his life in the fast lane, making deals, making deadlines, attending meetings, and getting ahead. But, if there's someone he's not getting ahead with, it his children. But, when his children are kidnapped, Peter suddenly finds himself thrust into a world beyond his imagination. It seems that his children were kidnapped by Captain Hook...that's right, the villain of J. M. Barrie's story. It seems that Hook has this far out idea that Peter Banning is really Peter Pan. To rescue his kids, Peter is going to have to reach deep inside himself, and find something that he lost. But, will he do it in time?

In 1991, director Steven Spielberg produced yet another great movie - Hook. I absolutely love that movie. (I think it is directed more towards fathers than kids!) So, when I saw the book, I jumped at it. In this book, veteran fantasy author takes the story of Hook, and presents it in story form.

Now, it must be admitted that this book does not go beyond the movie, being a faithful novelization of the movie, and nothing more. But, that said, this is a very good book, one that brings back the magic of the movie to you when you are sitting trapped in an airplane, or God knows where. Overall, I really enjoyed this book, and highly recommend it.

poor Terry
I just read "Sometimes the magic works," a memior from Terry Brooks.He said writing this book was the worst experience of his life.The movie workers helped him in no way, so I was shocked when that person (someone who reviewed the book on amazon) said that the credit for this book goes to them.

Andyes, it was good.No, don't buy it though.Borrow it from a friend, that way, Amazon doesn't make any more money.

Let's see how long this review stays posted, if at all.

A must-read.
Granted, this book is a novelization of a movie, and a very faithful one at that, so much of the credit goes to the makers of the movie rather than to Brooks, but he does succeed in taking a marvelous story and telling it wonderfully, fully capturing the spirit of the story with his tone, as well as the events in it.

And a wonderful story it is, too. A superb sequel to the original Peter Pan story, answering the question "What would Peter be like if he ever DID grow up?" in a very plausible, indisputable way. Further, it is a perfect primer on how NOT to be a father, and what effects it can have on the children of someone who's falling down on the job, as well as showing a good example of how to do it right for comparison. Additionally, it is, like the original Peter Pan, an excellent story of the magic of childhood, but this one discusses how an adult can (and indeed MUST, if they want to avoid becoming unbearable) hold on to some of that magic, even while growing up and becoming responsible. And that sometimes, even people who HAVE lost that magic still don't learn how to be particularly responsible.

I cannot recommend this book highly enough. It is truly wonderful; do yourself a favor, and track down a copy. It will be worth the effort. Then settle in for a good evening's read. You won't regret it.

The Story of Peter Pan after he grew up.
I thought this book was wonderful. Not only would Disney himslef be pleased but the original author of the Peter Pan books would also be pleased.

It is also classic Brooks. Filled with his enriched details andhis way of writing that draws the reader into the book.

I have readalmost all of the books that Brooks has written, including all of theShannara books and the Landover series.

He is a wonderful writer and isable in his own way to make the reading of a book not only enjoyable butalso very stimulating.

His way of bringing the reader into the novel isso wonderful that you can not put the novel down.

Brooks stayed true tothe Peter Pan story and offered us a look at what Peter Pan might have beenlike had he actually grown up.

For a "What If" book, I givethis book, not a 5 star rating but a 10 star rating. ... Read more