Fantasy Book Club Series discussion

Here is the spoiler thread for Sword of Shannara! What did you think? Is it as derivative as the nay-sayers say???

This original work by Terry Brooks is a classic. As I recall, it was the first fantasy to hit the NYT bestseller list. It is a very good fantasy adventure and well done as Brooks' first published work. I do think that Terry Brooks had better books later on but this certainly put him on the map. A very good read!

I reread the series, the long version, a few years ago and I still loved it. I admit I did compare to other series, but I still enjoyed it. I must read the final series.

Just reread this one a couple of months ago. Still enjoyed it.

I just read this for the group read. I found it to be a bad book. I found it to be very, very derivative of Lord of the Rings. And I didn't really like Lord of the Rings that much. And this was worse written. But it was also easier to read than Lord of the Rings. And I found it enjoyable.

I read Magic Kingdom For Sale/Sold and most of the Landover series as a child, years ago and really enjoyed them, but I never approached this series. Probably because I got so frustrated with that series before it ended.

I've started the Elfstones of Shannara and I think it is a much better book, more mature and less dependent upon its predecessors.

I think I was about 40 % of the way through the book before I gave up on it. I was listening to it, which I love to do with longer books, and I found myself spacing out during the book like I wasn't interested in the book. I think part of it was that I was extremely frustrated by the similarities to the LOTR books.

I can at least say that I tried it, even if I didn't care for the book.

Christina wrote: "I think I was about 40 % of the way through the book before I gave up on it. I was listening to it, which I love to do with longer books, and I found myself spacing out during the book like I wasn..."

That's about as far as I managed to read, years ago. Never wanted to try it again, because of the LOTR similarities and because of the writing. I've read the Landover series though, they at least were original.

Christina and Teanka... I have now finished The Elfstones of Shannara... I'm not sure I would call it a masterpiece, but it feels like a huge improvement in writing from The Sword of Shannara. The author matured and developed and gained confidence to write in his own style, rather than imitating The Lord of the Rings excessively. I would recommend giving the series a try starting with Elfstones. I don't think you'll be missing anything important.

Terry Brooks remains my favourite author, I discovered fantasy by reading the Jerle Shannara trilogy. And since then I have never left.!. I loved this series, even though there were ups and downs I eagerly anticipate more of his work.