Best known for his Shannara series, Terry Brooks is often identified, by Tolkein fans, as "the guy who ripped off Tolkein." Regardless, the original Shannara trilogy, as well as its sequel quatrilogy (the Scions of Shanarra series) are fairly good in plot, language, and morals. The good people are good, the bad people are bad.

The further prequels and sequels (indicitive of the genre's newest trend of dead horse beating) are best approached with caution. Those who enjoyed his Shanarra stories will be tempted to gobble these up as well - however Druidism as well as other questionable wordviews are introduced here.

The same, unfortunately, applies to his Magic Kingdom for Sale - SOLD! series of books, which are weak in plot, language and morals.

His other works appear to degenerate.

The Sword of Shannara

Literary Quality:
Christian Morality: Good/Harmless
Age Appropriateness: Pre-Teen/Teenager

The first of the Shannara books. Shea Omsford is sent on a quest to find the Sword of Shannara, which will drive back the forces of evil. Fairly good, but ponderous in historic detail.

The Scions of Shannara

Literary Quality:
Christian Morality: Harmless
Age Appropriateness: Teenager

The first of the Heritage of Shannara books. The next generation must fightback the evil which is again threatening the land. Four separate adventures in the four books; each a stand-alone. Fairly good; series can stand alone from the original trilogy.

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Updated 22 July, 2007
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