The Elfstones of Shannara
Ratings27
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.
Series
Series
3 primary books6 released books#2 in The Original Shannara Trilogy
The Original Shannara Trilogy is a 6-book series with 3 primary works first released in 1976 with contributions by Terry Brooks.
Series
33 primary books37 released books#11 in Shannara (Chronological Order)
Shannara (Chronological Order) is a 37-book series with 33 primary works first released in 1976 with contributions by Terry Brooks.
Series
33 primary books36 released books#2 in Shannara (Publication Order)
Shannara (Publication Order) is a 36-book series with 33 primary works first released in 1976 with contributions by Terry Brooks.
Series
32 primary books34 released books#2 in Shannara - Terry's Suggested Order for New Readers
Shannara - 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.
Reviews
Popular Reviews
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!
