The Sword and Laser discussion

Hello,

Just wondered if people thought it was worth getting into Terry Brooks Shannara series. I have read very mixed reviews on it so far. I love fantasy like Tolkein etc and my favourite current series is the demon cycle by Peter V Brett.

I am almost finished with Judas Unchained, the second book in the commonwealth saga by Peter Hamilton which has been a bit of a slog so looking for something a bit lighter and easier.

Thanks

Here is a whole section where we have aired our thoughts on the Shannara series when we read "The Sword of Shannara" for the book club back in February of this year.

https://www.goodreads.com/topic/group...

It will give you a good start to what our views of that books were and the series in general.

The general view was that Book 1 "Sword of Shannara" was a bit too derivative of Lord of the Rings and the series really kicks off and can be started with Book 2 "Elfstones of Shannara"

I loved the series. I have read 11 books in the series.

Brooks' Shannara books a great light fantasy reads that are filled with action and are typically fast paced. I feel that his books are safe bet if you want something that's fun and fast.

I've enjoyed what I have read of the Shannara books. I haven't read the Heritage of Shannara , but of what I have read I highly recommend the Voyage of the Jerle Shannara Trilogy starting with Ilse Witch. I absolutely loved this series. It might be my favorite series in the Shannara books so far. It's got airships, mystery, and exploring areas of the world and technology that are alien to the main characters. It's very cool and gripping. I read it back in high school, and at the time they were the most intense books I had read in the fantasy genre.

I also thoroughly enjoyed First King of Shannara, the Genesis of Shannara Trilogy starting with Armageddon's Children, and finally the High Druid of Shannara starting with Jarka Ruus. Keep in mind that the Genesis of Shannara is a prequel series that occurs even before the First King of Shannara. It kind of explains how our world became the world of Shannara and takes place mostly in a post apocalyptic version of our world.

Terry Brooks also has on his goodreads page recommended reading orders for beginners and returning reader. I agree about skipping The Sword of Shannara. It is derivative of LotR, and his books simply improve from there.

I've read a ton of Terry Brooks, and while it did become somewhat tiring after a while I did enjoy them. If you are looking to try something new I don't any issue with it. I liked many of the original characters, with the druids being the highlight, but there are some major moments in the series that still stand out to me today. There is a positive lasting impression.

I read the first Shannara book and its up there with the worst books I've ever read. It's derivative, boring and worst of all incredibly naive. I'm not sure why so many people like these books. They're the worst Fantasy has to offer.

Brad wrote: "I read the first Shannara book and its up there with the worst books I've ever read. It's derivative, boring and worst of all incredibly naive. I'm not sure why so many people like these books. The..."

Why do people feel like they have to pile on a book like this just because someone liked a book they didn't? I understand that Sword of Shannara has its flaws, but to hop on a thread that was dormant for two weeks just to bash a book??? For all of your complaints about the book being derivative, NOTHING you said wasn't said before when the book was one of the club picks. If you're going to hate, at least be original.

I read the original Shannara trilogy (The Sword of Shannara, The Elfstones of Shannara, and The Wishsong of Shannara) many [many] years ago, at the height of my fascination with DnD and thoroughly enjoyed all three - going back to look at them now, I can appreciate 'some' of the negative comments made (especially about TSoS) but they will always have a place in my heart purely from the point in time that I read them.

Shad wrote: "Why do people feel like they have to pile on a book like this just because someone liked a book they didn't? I understand that Sword of Shannara has its flaws, but to hop on a thread that was dormant for two weeks just to bash a book??? For all of your complaints about the book being derivative, NOTHING you said wasn't said before when the book was one of the club picks. If you're going to hate, at least be original."

Wow chill out. The OP wanted to know if it was worth getting into the Shannara books and I told him why it wasn't. Are negative opinions toward Shannara not allowed here or what? Also, I didn't even know the thread was dormant for 2 weeks, it wasn't that far down in the forums. Maybe don't read things on the internet if you don't like opinions that don't line up with your own.

Shad wrote: "Why do people feel like they have to pile on a book like this just because someone liked a book they didn't? I understand that Sword of Shannara has its flaws, but to hop on a thread that was dormant for two weeks just to bash a book??? For all of your complaints about the book being derivative, NOTHING you said wasn't said before when the book was one of the club picks. If you're going to hate, at least be original. "

You aren't the Forum Police. Brad's response is on topic, while yours isn't, so if there were an FPD you'd be getting the citation.

And to add to the OP's question, Shannara *is* ridiculously derivative and not very well written. His time is better spent pursuing other series, unless he really wants to see what the fuss is about. The link Tassie Dave provided is pretty in-depth.

Trike wrote: "Shad wrote: "Why do people feel like they have to pile on a book like this just because someone liked a book they didn't? I understand that Sword of Shannara has its flaws, but to hop on a thread t..."

I'm sorry for the overreaction. When I encountered Sword of Shannara, it really engaged me. It was difficult when Sword and Laser read Sword of Shannara as a club pick. In the club discussions about the book (Tassie Dave's link), you find post after post that say almost exactly what Brad posted.

That experience left me really hoping Sword and Laser never reads a beloved book of mine again and too sensitive to the criticism of Shannara.