Dragons & Jetpacks discussion

Just wondering others opinion on this series...
So I read the first two books. And the story always starts the same, similar to the LOTR series. When I read the preview to the third book, I decided I couldn't sit through the another book that was so repetitive. I did like the first two books and the history of the druids was interesting.

Has anyone felt the same about how repetitive each book seems?
Is it a good series to continue reading?

I haven't read any of these yet, but I do have the first book sat on my shelf waiting to be read =D

I never read it myself. But the only image I always get, when others talk about it are the similarities to the Lord of the Rings.
Therefore I always shy away from it, but on the other hand, Brooks wrote a lot of books set in this world, so at least later on there should be more to this world than just being a LotR rip-off.

I really liked this series. I think the characters are brilliant but then I've read all of Brooks series too so you do get to know the characters and where they come from AND where they go. Basically I would suggest finishing it out - but then we're all different but I really enjoyed it.

I have had these books for years and recently decided to read them again. Started and finished the first two books in record time but I have absolutely no motivation to finish the third. I am halfway through but, like you, I find it repetitive. There is also very little in the way of new ideas and there isn't enough pace in the book. I never remember having these problems when I first read through them but I would have been about 11-12 then. Im going to give it another month at least before finishing the third one so that I have time to read other books & genres for a bit of a break.

In general though I would say Terry Brooks is a fantastic author and I haven't had a problem with any of his other stories, I finished Armageddons Children at the beginning of the year and loved it (I think thats the genesis of shannara series and the reason I dragged out the old series!)

Hope thats of some help :)

I liked it a lot. There's are many books in Shannara overall, but I still prefer the original trilogy most of all.

I read the sword of Shannara trilogy many years ago and despite being interesting I found it seriously hard going, so much so that I haven't been able to pluck up the courage to read the heritage of Shannara trilogy or the word and the void omnibus yet...

I have read the first book of the Jerle Shannara trilogy which I found easier to read but just haven't gotten around to the rest... I feel it's a some day series!

I've read all but the last few that were published, what I personally like about them is that Brooks stays in the same world but goes throughout different parts of the history. Though I do get sick of it being so much about the elfstones. I've gone from them being books that I have to buy to books that I will get from the library.

I've moved a few times and plan on moving again in the next few years so I only like to keep a certain amount of books in my house.

My problem with Brooks is that over the course of his writing career, his novels have never evolved, especially with the time.

That's true, it's the same thing, it usually revolves all around the eflstones and to me it always seems like the Druids don't live up to their reputation. They are supposedly these bad ass magic guys but their power seems to run out or be unhelpful very quickly, they always leave me a little disappointed.

Roger wrote: "That's true, it's the same thing, it usually revolves all around the eflstones and to me it always seems like the Druids don't live up to their reputation. They are supposedly these bad ass magic g..."


I've just joined this group and these books were recommended. I'm just about to start chapter 8 (not far I know) and already the elf stones have been used twice. Is it like this all the way through?

When they're given the stones it's mentioned that it's a last resort yet they seem to use them for anything.

I'm going to stick with it for now but if it continues like it is I don't think I'll read the rest in the series.

He just stated in a interview that his next trilogy is going to be his last books in the Shannara universe. He will stop the series at around 25 books.

The first trilogy is definitely worth reading. It's a good story, the author does tend to use the same premise and not evolve the world as much as I would like, but it is good writing and a good story.

I've always enjoyed reading Terry Brook's Shannara series. But I've always got them from the library and I've read a couple of his newest ones but I'm just waiting for the next one to be available in the library

Anyone here heard of Sheri S Tepper? She's another fantasy/sci-fi author

I just joined, and found this topic intriguing, if only because these books are some of the ones that I was referring to in my intro post... The part about biggest pet peeves in novels. I remember picking them up because librarians were always suggesting I read them, but I wasn't even able to get past the first half of the Sword of Shannara. I've heard it gets better... But to me it was a rip off of LOTR (I could make direct comparisons between characters), and to my recollection there were some MAJOR POV goofs. Where most of a chapter would be from one character, and then without a scene break, a few paragraphs would be in someone else's head, and then you'd jump back. I considered for a time that it was omniscient... But it wasn't consistent enough. Maybe it was just one goof, but it was enough for me to put the book down and reclaim my bookmark for a better read.

Terry Brooks follows a very basic formula in his writing. Over the years, he's found ways to mask that [this is based on my readings of the original Shannara trilogy and my current reading of his new book The High Druid's Blade], but it doesn't change the fact that it's there. If you go into his books expecting it, you find you enjoy them a little more. Sometimes, his stories have been enough to overshadow the formula, sometimes it hasnt. Here's a link to the reviews I wrote for the original trilogy, I don't have them up on Goodreads as yet, unfortunately, if anyone's interested.
The Original Shannara Trilogy

Found this the other day in the clearance for $1.00. Have so many books to read that I probably won't get to it for a while but couldn't pass that up.