What is your opinion of Shannara?

[Edena_of_Neith]

Bumpity bump-bump, bump-bump, clankity-bump, bumpity-bing, CRASH!

 

[Eternalknight]

Maybe you could fill me in on the titles of all the books? I know the first three, and the heritage series; what else is there?

 

[Nissien]

Eternalknight: there's also First King of Shannara, about the Druid Bremen, Jerle Shannara, and the forging of the Sword, and at the moment Terry Brooks is writing a new series, The Voyage of the Jerle Shannara, which so far consists of Ilse Witch and Antrax.

I've often noticed that people who say that Shannara is a rip-off of LotR have only read Sword. And yes, I have to say that it is very similar. But it is different enough to merit reading, and I don't think that any of the other books could be considered rip-offs of anything.

BTW, if anyone wants to read a real rip-off of LotR, try Dennis McKiernan's Iron Tower trilogy.

 

[Knight Otu]

I must admit that I've read the Shannara books lobg before reading the Lord of the Rings, so that might biase my opinion, but IMHO, they are good, if repetative books.

And yes, the themes and general plotlines are quite similar in many cases, but, as Nissien said, different enough to warrant their reading. IMHO.

 

[danzig138]

I think they are fluffy but entertaining. I don't see them as a rip of Tolkien. Inspired...yes, like a bunch of post-Tolkien fantasy. For me, more entertaining that Tolkien, less than REH.

 

[Edena_of_Neith]

Here are the Shannara books:

The First King of Shannara (prelude)

The Sword of Shannara
The Elf Stones of Shannara
The Wishsong of Shannara

The Scions of Shannara
The Druid of Shannara
The Elf Queen of Shannara
The Talismans of Shannara

The Voyage of the Jerle Shannara: Ilse Witch
The Voyage of the Jerle Shannara: Antrax
The Voyage of the Jerle Shannara: Morgawr

There is another Shannara book due next year, which will begin a new series.

 

[Edena_of_Neith]

0 gets 3 votes?
While 10 gets only 1 vote?

I KNEW there was anti-Shannara bias on the ENBoard ...

 

[Knight Otu]

Well, the average is still 5,25, slightly above medium.

 

[John Crichton]

0 gets 3 votes?
While 10 gets only 1 vote?

I KNEW there was anti-Shannara bias on the ENBoard ...

I had no idea. I really don't see people's problems with the books. I think Shannara is very inspired....

* shrugs *

 

[myrdden]

BTW, if anyone wants to read a real rip-off of LotR, try Dennis McKiernan's Iron Tower trilogy.

You beat me to it. I was going to suggest the same thing.

Myrdden