Shannara series

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So I'm in the local Barnes and Noble and I notice that Terry Brooks has come out with a new Shannara book when it dawns on me that I've never read any of them. Is the series any good? I'm guessing it can't be horrible as the guy has written a ton of books, but I don't ever hear anyone singing the praises of the series or the author. Thoughts?

 

They're OK. Stick to the earlier ones (Sword, Elfstones, Druid and Heritage series) if you want 'true' fantasy. Later ones get a bit too much into 'techno-magic' for my taste.

His Word & The Void series are very good as well.

Spoiler

They are both set in 'our' world albeit slightly altered. With the Word & the Void being before a Nuclear war and the Shannara novels set after.

 

Well, a lot of people seem not to like his books (or consider them more suitable for fantasy newbies). Personally, I don't mind them if I'm in the mood for something not too deep. They're a fairly easy read, with an uncomplicated, easy-to-follow (if somewhat predictable) plot line.

 

I really can't bear them. It's not that they're "lightweight". Harry Potter is lightweight, but it's still a good read. Terry Brooks' books, especially the Shannarra books, are excrutiatingly derivative. There's no innovation whatsoever in them. Everything is really by the numbers and there's no surprise what happens next.

So I really can't recommend them. I'd steer clear if I were you.

 

I have read them on and off and never really gotten into them. The void books I enjoyed the most I think but never got around to finish those either so cant have loved them too much.

 

They were great when I was a young pup. I think they are written more for teens than adults. Not sure if that was Brooks intention, but it seemed like his result. There are much more talented writers than Brooks out there. He's not worth buying new. Buy his books used on Amazon, or better yet, thru SP!

 

I read Sword and Elfstones when I was younger. They were enjoyable but not great by any means. Sword was incredibly derivative of Lord of the Rings.

 

Is it ever? You could substitute all the names in that book directly to names in The Lord of the Rings.

 

Well it looks like this is another loser. See my next thread for additional gudiance requests.

 

I read the original three Shannara books as a young lad and quite enjoyed them. I know that he is not the world's most original writer but sometimes he comes up with some sweet images or passages. I was quite impressed withe his "Running with the Demon" and the two that followed and believe that they are his most mature works.

 

I like all of his book. Currently reading Bearers of the Black Staff, wich is his latest book. Still great. arguably my favorite fantasy author. He also isn`t afraid to kill off main characters either. Thats a good thing if one is fed up with the main characters surviving every single danger they encounter, without as much as a scratch.