The Sword of Shannara Trilogy

I had the orginal hardbacks for these three novels years ago and when I seen this edition with them all together as an anniversary edition I really wanted it. It’s my second copy like this cause have one for a gift for someone as well. It’s so well written the series does continue past these three books but wonderful story line and a book can’t put down. Highly recommend this for Any who enjoy lord of the rings and sci fi books. It has Druids and elves and etc. the maps are nice as well in the book to follow locations as read.

The Sword of Shannara Trilogy, in a short review, is a great set of fantasy novels that you wont regret reading, and they may change your life even if just a little bit. It is difficult to review any book without giving away the story, but I will do my best. This is not the first time I have read this series, in fact, this is the 5th time. About every seven years I find myself wanting to relive my first read of the Shannara series that started it all. This time it started with the prequel, "Paladins of Shannara", a new add-on short story put out there to lure you back in, setting the stage for you to become Shea Ohmsford or at least a close friend all over again. Each book of this series is easily read in and of itself and each a great fantasy novel, filled with danger and mystery. A fight not only of good and evil but a between the whole truth and just enough of the truth to save the world. My favorite book of all time is the 2nd book, "The Elfstones of Shannara", it is a rollercoaster ride, one of those books you just can't put down, every paragraph bringing you closer to that complete escape from reality. The Elfstones of Shannara is the book for me that started a lifetime of reading. I was bored one day and my wife, a huge reader, suggested The Elfstones of Shannara, she said "it was as good as or better than The Hobbit". Thank god "The Hobbit" was made into a cartoon movie or I wouldn't have any point of reverence at the time. The 1st book, The Sword of Shannara is a great fantasy novel that you will love, The 3rd book, Wishsong of Shannara is somewhat eloquent and almost feminine in the style, which made it difficult to connect to the characters and yet I still enjoyed very much, but in my opinion The Elfstones of Shannara is what makes this trilogy epic. Before Elfstones I couldn't stand reading and found it a task labored and boring. But I guess there is a warning here for all, the Shannara saga is a fantasy world of escape that can hold your attention for your entire life. In closing I have to say thank you Terry Brooks for taking away some of life troubles, and making the tough times we all face a little more bearable. Robin

See full review @ The Indigo Quill . blogspot . com The Sword of Shanara trilogy written by Terry Brooks is about a mythical world rooted in the tension between old-world-magic and, what could be seen, as rational thought. We are taken on an expansive trip through the three separate generations of the Ohmsford family. This is a family of elven children who are actually teenagers, who unknowingly possess magical skills that can unlock some of the great events threatening the world they hold dear. The adventures in this quasi-medieval world involve the conflation of the races of men, elves, dwarves and, yes even trolls and gnomes. All of the inhabitants of this world are pawns in a struggle between the forces of magic and the books present, which smacks of an emerging modernity. Forged from an intricate history involving ancient wars and what we could see as geo-political conflicts, there emerges a sprawling epic not too different from what we experience in our own world. The author uses the character of Allanon, a man symbolizing a race of men called the druids, to parcel out historical lessons to these protagonist young people as he leads them through dangerous adventures. At one time the druids mastered the mysteries of using magic to try and better the human condition, but the intertwining epics of three generations makes the reader understand that the wielding of magic and power can have devastating effects. Absolute power tends to absolutely corrupt. I found the work, although somewhat wordy, a wonderful read. Brooks’ power of description to the many environments, the descriptions of character emotions, and the varied monster and beast creatures, made this a treasure-trove of description. Although the two maps provided general locations to the many rivers, mountains, cities and castles, I did wish, however, that the map could provide more detail to the narrative. I believe the work was worthy of some illustrations and relief maps. I wanted to follow the treks, particularly of Jair Ohmsford’s party and his sister Brin Ohmsford and her party. The power of the work was manifest in how the protagonist’s inner-monologue worked while confronted with flagrant evil. The young adults were driven by restraint and circumspection about what they felt they needed to do to save their selves and their kind. Their self-doubt, introspective thoughts were refreshing in an age of computer games where kids feel that destructive force is always justified. Make no mistake violence forces are afoot, but so is the power of reason. I found the young protagonists were governed by a higher power mitigating against blind rage and thoughtless action. Our protagonists in all three epics do what we all should do, question ourselves, gather some facts and have the courage to carry out our mission. We all face forces that loom bigger than what we are capable of handling. Of course, sometimes the nature of faith enters in as well. There are no theistic components here that I can see, but there doesn’t need to be. Faith in a common good, free will and understanding that there is good and there is evil pervades these stories. The characters learn to trust one another and value each other’s purpose. There is the threat of holocaust, destruction and chaos at every turn, but this world is also governed by the forces for good. The players have stakes, experience death, separation and suffering, but all for the welfare and preservation of family and tribe. This is a must for your library. There is a powerful imagination residing in this work. I am entertained, but I am also edified by the lessons that are so abundant in this work.

This review is for the kindle edition of the book. I had read the Shannara trilogy in the print format several times in the past and Brooks never fails to deliver. I have enjoyed reading these stories each time. Brooks paints a vivid and colorful picture which places you in the story and it’s just like being there. You feel the enjoyment and pain of each character as Brooks masterfully weaves the dynamics of the situation throughout the quest. While this isn’t my first kindle book, it is the first one I’ve read after having read the printed version and I find a couple of minor disappointments. Firstly, I miss the maps that are in the print versions that you can refer to for placement of the characters or how the Shannara world is laid out Though the maps are available on-line if needed. Secondly, there are a few minor transfer errors such as an incorrect word or a character’s name split into two words. Overall I recall only 4 or 5 of these errors and they don’t detract from the stories. It was nice however to have this trilogy on easy to read, portable devices that I could carry with me and read anywhere I had some time. It was such an enjoyable experience and brought back some great memories that I have bought another kindle version of the Shannara books and continue with the adventures.

Endlich gibt es die erste Triologie in einem Band zusammengefasst. Habe sie früher schon auf deutsch gelesen, nur fand ich da die Unterteilung in eine Triologie überflüssig, da die Teilgeschichten aus nur wenigen hundert Seiten bestanden. Die Geschichte ähnelt sehr dem Herrn der Ringe, was wohl daran liegt, dass Terry Brooks ein großer Fan von Tolkin Fan ist und auch sehr von seiner Geschichte beeinflusst wurde. In seiner Fortführung der Shannara Saga, also in den darauf folgenden Generationen, lernt man eine fantastische und vielseitige Welt kennen in der es immer wieder Neues zu entdecken gibt. Kurz um eine sehr gelungene Saga, die einen auch in englischer Sprache zu fesseln weiß^^

Sword of Shannara trilogy i purchased before this i bought heritage. Little damage but ok . I can read now unstoppable. First book and last book. I don’t have other sagas .

I had previously read (years ago) the Sword of Shannara, but it didn't enthrall me. This time I got the first Trilogy (The Sword of Shannara) and read all the stories in sequence from start to finish. I found the story got my attention this time and I could not put it down. I have now just finished the second trilogy (The Heritage of Shannara) and have recently bought the next trilogy. Perhaps my perception of the story has changed over the years, and I am rather pleased that there has been a good gap, because I can now read the whole series in order from start to end, and getting it all in chronological order has greatly enhanced the series. I have become absorbed into the whole Shannara story, and can't wait to get on with the rest of it. The characters have completely captured me and everyone has its own foibles. I could almost believe that fairies and goblins and dwarves really do exist. The story is imaginative and I love the maps, to which I am always referring to as I read. Terry Brooks has created a great work of fiction and I would love to see it on film. Harry Potter and The Lord of the Rings made great films, why not Shannara? What an epic. I want to know what happens to the descendants of the Ohmsfords, and the Elves. I wish there had been more of the Tree Squeaks and they had been given a bigger family. I almost cried when Faun died trying to protect Wren. Wonderful, Wonderful. Terry Brooks has created a great epic and I for one have enjoyed it immensely.

I love that I can buy reading material that is paperless. That is really why I bought a tablet in the first place, but I probably should have just bought the Kindle Reader. Regardless, reading on a tablet, as in my case, is not quite as satisfying as reading an actual hardcopy book, but I grew up with paper books. The smell of books is great, but the cost to the planet is bad. I forego my pleasure of hardcopy to help our planet, I hope it works.

Pour un prix plus que derisoire, vous avez droit a un immense pave de 1200 pages comprennant les 3 volumes de The Sword of Shannara. Cette saga, epique, depasse et de loin tout ce que l'on peut imaginer dans un univers d'heroic fantasy. L'Anglais est d'acces moyen, un bon dico de poche sera necessaire pour certains. En revanche, quel regal de decouvrir cette oeuvre majeure de la literature Americaine dans son texte integral. J'ai tellement etait decu par les traductions "ampoulees" Francaises. que rien que cela m'a invite a franchir le pas et a me lancer corps et ames (et de tres longues heures dans la nuit !!) dans cette feerie. On s'accroche immediatement au personnage. On connait ses foces etses faiblesses. Malgre le nombre de personnage important dans cette saga, je ne me suis retrouve a vouloir "donner des claques" aux heros et autres compagnons (bien au contraire du Seigneur des Anneaux et les etats d'ames de Frodon - AU SECOURS !!!, et autre Harry Potter - tellement imbuvable que j'ai envie de le decalquer au mur, facon Andy Warhol !!! Je sens que je vais me faire des "amis" ici !! :) ). Reellement, on ne voit pas passer les heures de lecture passionnante. Je me suis tellement investit dans cette saga que j'en ai pleure (moi!! Un mec de 4.1... NAN!! Je ne suis pas vieux!!!) lors d'un passage tres dur concernant un personnage auquel on s'attache immediatement. C'est le second ouvrage qui m'a fait et me fait toujours pleurer (parmi les centaines que j'ai lus...). Donc, n'hesitez pas!!! Lancez-vous dans cette serie epique!! Achetez les versions reliees des trilogies : cela vous reviendra nettement moins cher et vous aurez de bons gros paves qui vont faire plier vos etageres (experience vecue... Une minute de silence pour la pauvre etagere... :) ). Dans l'ordre de lecture pour les nouveaux (recommandee par l'auteur - c'est pas rien !!) et tout et dispo sur Amazon France en plus!! 01 / The Sword of Shannara Trilogy (dispo sur cette page) 02 / Dark Wraith of Shannara (une BD type manga tres bien travaillee et qui complete agreablement cet univers ainsi que certaines questions que l'on se pose sur les persos Dark Wraith of Shannara ) 03 / The Heritage of Shannara (un enorme pave de plus, de quatre ouvrages !! The Heritage of Shannara ) 04 / First King of Shannara (Introduction au monde de Shannara - dispo uniquement en single, pas cher en occase de tres haute qualite First King of Shannara ) 05 / The Void & World Novels Omnibus (premiere trilogie de Terry Brooks ecrite des annees bien avant Shannara et qui a la particularite d'etre devenue finalement "la base" de la saga - alors que cela n'etait pas du tout prevu au dpart ! Dispo en version omnibus souple uniquement... sniff... The Word and the Void Omnibus ) 06 / The voyage of The Jerle Trilogy (On repart dans du tres gros et tres bon!!! The Voyage of the Jerle Shannara Trilogy ) 07 / The High druids of Shannara Trilogy ( Le dernier pave en date !! The High Druid of Shannara Trilogy ) 08 / Genesis of Shannara - comprennant les ouvrages suivants : Armaggedon's Children (la "suite" de The Word and Word) et donc la charniere avec Shannara), The Elves of Cintra (Ah!! Des Elfes... Comment ca??? :) ), The Gypsy Morph. Si vous etes presses, prenez les en single relies, sinon, faites comme moi : achetez-les puis attendez la version complete de la trilogie (prevue pour fin 2012-debut 2013)!! 09 / Legends of Shannara - tout frais de 2011 !! Cette partie comprend deux ouvrages pour le moment : Bearers of the Black Staff et The Measure of The Magic. Pour les connaisseurs, l'ordre de lecture recommande par l'auteur est le suivant : 00 / The Word & Void Omnibus 01 / Genesis of Shannara : Armageddon's Children, The Elves of Cintra, The Gypsy Morph (conseil : attendre la version reliee de la trilogie... ou pas!!!) 02 / Legends of Shannara : Bearers of the Black Staff, The Measure of the Magic (conseil : attendre la version reliee de cette duologie... ou pas!!) 03 / First King of Shannara 04 / The Sword of Shannara Trilogy 05 / A Shannara Short Story : Indomitable ' An epilogue to The Wishsong of Shannara (ATTENTION !! A paraitre cette annee, anciennement editee dans une revue-anthologie) 06 / Dark Wraith of Shannara 07 / The Heritage of Shannara Quadrilogy 08 / The Voyage of the Jerle Trilogy 09 / The High Druid of Shannara Trilogy Tout ca, tout ca, en attendant The Dark Legacy of Shannara en trois volumes !!! Sortie en 2012/2013, et une nouvelle trilogie mystere en 2014... Avec Terry Brooks, auteur prolofique et sensationnel, on aura toujours de la lecture !!!! Bons plaisrs a toutes et tous!!!