The Elfstones of Shannara
Ratings23
Average rating3.8
15
Ratings23
Average rating3.8
Ancient, ultimate evil threaterned the Elves and the Races of Man. For the Ellcrys, the tree created by long-lost elven magic, was dying, losing the spell of Forbidding that locked the hordes of ravening Demons away from Earth. Already the Reaper, most fearsome of demons, was free. Only one source of protection was powerful enough to stop it: The Elfstones of Shannara.
The stones and the right to use them belonged to Wil Olmsford, given him by his grandfather Shea. Allanon, legendary Druid guardian, summoned him from his studies in Storlock to protect Amberle, the elven girl who must carry a sees of the tree to the mysterious Bloodfire, life-source of earth, there to be quickened and to creat a new Ellcrys.
While Allanon and the Elves fight a hopeless war against the emerging demons, Wil and Amberle plunge forward in a seemingly impossible quest to find the Bloodfire.
Reviews with the most likes.
The style of Brooks writing is the same as the Sword of Shannara. But unlike that previous book, this one is very much better and way more original. The plot is not exactly very unique but it was believable and well-told. The way the races came together and the way the ending turned out made it a beautifully touching story.
I really enjoyed reading this again. Sure it's derivative, but I like fantasy and this holds up pretty well. I read it first time in my late teens. I'm now in my late 40s and some books I've tried rereading don't stand up well at all, such as the Belgariad. The writing in the Shannara books is pretty decent though.
What a great sequel to the first book in the series! Mr Brooks has abandoned the majority of characters from the first book while still retaining the shape and feel of the world. An exploration of the Westland awaits the readers when a threat from the deep past of the Elves announces itself once again.
This book continues the amazement first experienced in the quest for the sword of Shannara while not leaving a new reader lost attempting to puzzle out what happened previously. The reader can see that Mr Brooks has become more accomplished in his writing style and story development. The book progresses at a fast pace that will leave readers enthralled as the story unfolds.
Highly recommended. First read over 30 years ago. This book has lost none of the sense of wonder over this time period. An amazing installment in the Shannara catalogue!
Astronomically better than the first one and I gave the first one 5 stars!
This book, like the first one, reads as a stand-alone with some loose tie-ins. The story is set 50 years later and follows the descendants of the first book. Which I didn't like at first because I loved the original characters but I loved these characters almost just as much. This story also had some bad ass horror elements with the Reaper who is one of my favorite bad guys of all time. Absolutely terrifying character and would actually get my heart racing when encountering it's wrath.
The mystical tree that holds the power of the prison encasing demons for thousands of years is dying and they are escaping. One of the Chosen must get the “Seed” and bring it to the Garden to create a new tree before it's too late. Wil Ohmsford (Shea's grandson), uses the the Elfstones to lead one of the Chosen on a journey to find the seed in Westland to save the world from the Demons. All while encountering mystical creatures, monsters, and unexpected friends on his path. Such a dope story and Brooks is a must read for me from now on
Series
2 primary books5 released booksThe Original Shannara Trilogy is a 5-book series with 2 primary works first released in 1976 with contributions by Terry Brooks and Riccardo Valla.
Series
33 primary books37 released booksShannara (Chronological Order) is a 37-book series with 33 primary works first released in 1976 with contributions by Terry Brooks and Riccardo Valla.
Series
33 primary books36 released booksShannara (Publication Order) is a 40-book series with 35 primary works first released in 1976 with contributions by Terry Brooks, Silvia Stefani, and Riccardo Valla.
Series
32 primary books34 released booksShannara - Terry's Suggested Order for New Readers is a 34-book series with 32 primary works first released in 1976 with contributions by Terry Brooks, Elena Dezani Trucco, and Anna Tamagno Gea.
