Conference noted::sf

I have an acquaintence who _insists_ on calling the aforementioned books
_The Sword of Shanana_ and _the Elfstone of Shanana_.  It's almost impos-
sible for me to see a title now without thinking of the singing group.

Steve K.

Well, just having found this notesfile, I didn't spot any notes concerning
either of the first 2 Shannara books.  I found these absolutely impossible
to put down.  I can't get the 3rd one away from my "significant other", so
I take it that's also excellent...

- Dick

I'm halfway through _Wishsong_, and I must say I'm disappointed so far.  Terry
Brooks apparently can tell only one story.  The opening is EXACTLY the same as 
both of the other books.  

Allanon:  Evil threatens.  Only an Ohmsford can save the world.  Come with me.
Ohmsford (whichever):  But what am I 'sposed to do?
Allanon:  I can't tell you.  Trust me.  (undoubtedly delivered in a Yiddish 
          accent.)
Ohmsford: I don't know.  I'll have to think about it.
Allanon:  You'll see.  Tomorrow you'll be with me.

Later that night:
Evil Monster:  Boo!
Ohmsford:  Allanon!  Let's go!

There is the obligatory meeting of the King of Silver River.  There is the
obligatory monster in the Mist Marsh.  There is the obligatory visit to that
damn furnace room in Paranor.  There is the obligatory rascal-turned-hero 
who shouldn't be there.  And on and on and on.... 

The prose is still entertaining.  Allanon is still a superb figure (especially 
since he is growing a little as Brooks gets ready to kill him off.)  What? 
you say?  Telling the plot?  Well, not really - like I say, I haven't finished
yet - I might be wrong.  But this IS the third book (a magic number in the
lives of all serials), and the foreshadowing of Allanon's death is pretty
transparent. 

The only thing different is that there are TWO impossible quests going on at
the same time, in addition to the required war to the death between two
unfriendly races.  But this little device is unlikely to keep me up at
night... 

Maybe I'm just getting tired of the genre.  Tolkien clones with impossible
quests to destroy the magical base of the enemies power are getting a bit too
run of the mill, I guess.  I lose interest when I can plot the whole story out 
after reading 20% of the book.

- Chris

re:.1

Yes! Maybe we have the same friend. I think I first heard from a Rhode Island
friend, Mark Keller.

--- jerry

I could not get through the first "Sha Na Na" book. I found myself 
thinking that Brooks must have written it during college in boring 
classes. I found the level of writing very poor and not at all 
entertaining. Has it improved or is it an aquired taste?

Tamzen

	I haven't read them - Chris, are you serious? Is the character's
	name really Al-Anon? Did he have a drinking problem, or what?

					Sha-na-na..

Well, I don't think the hyphen belongs there, Mark. 

BTW, I've finished _WishSong_.  I must say, it was better than I thought it
would be when I wrote my first reply.  Brooks didn't drag out it out - the 
story moves along, and went farther than I thought it would.  

If you liked the first two books, you'll probably like this one.  But wait for
it in paperback.  I just can't believe I paid $8.95 for this...

- Chris

	I bought the book while I was on vacation in Florida and I really 
enjoyed it, actually more so that Elfstones.  I liked the "abilities" of the 
Ohmsfords, it was different from the usual weapons that the family had to use, 
they were the weapons.


			****SPOILER****


	I was disappointed to see Allanon die and even more disappointed to 
learn that the magic is running out and science will take over, does this mean 
no more Shannara books or just that he(Brookes) will skip far into the future 
into the next age of magic??




				Johnny O.

I personally thought the first two were pretty good, but Wishsong was one
of the worst books I've ever read. I'll stick with Zelazny.

- Rob

              <<< UPSAR::SYS$SYSDEVICE:[NOTES$LIBRARY]SF.NOTE;1 >>>
                             -< Arcana Caelestia >-
================================================================================
Note 775.0                        Terry Brooks                           1 reply
HPSCAD::DITOMMASO "I cant get use to this lifestyle" 33 lines   7-APR-1989 15:54
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    
      Has anyone read the "Shanara" series by Terry Brooks.
    
      It was one of the first Fantasy books I ever read, and probably
      what got me hooked on fantasy.
    
      The series consists of three books:
           The Sword of Shanara
           The Elfstones of Shanara
           The Wishsong of Shanara
    
      Its been so long, I don't think I can give an accurate summation
      of the plot of all three books, however I do remember I liked
      the books quite a bit.   I especially liked the characters in
      the book.
    
      Soon after reading the Thomas Covanant series, I decided to read
      something that was light hearted.  I found "Magic Kingdom for
      Sale"  also by Terry Brooks and enjoyed it quite a bit also.
      It was a nice change of pace from Thomas Covenant.
    
      I'm about to read the second Magic Kingdom book by Terry Brooks
      I think its called "The Black Unicorn"  but I'm not sure.
    
      Anyways, .. any other fans of Terry Brooks out there.
    
      I also like having some illustrations such as in the "Shanara"
      series.  I think the art was exceptional (Hilderbrant was the
      artist).  However, I know some people don't like the illustrated
      books.   I'd say illustration, SF and fantasy art could be another
      topic though.
    
      Paul

                I did  a  title=shannara  and brooks, but neither
                note  mentioned  the  new  Shannara  book  called
                Scions of Shannara.  It's book 1 of the 'Heritage
                of Shannara' series.  I was psyched when I walked
                into the book store and saw  this  one...   so it
                cost me $20.95, it's Shannara!  So  far  it's  as
                good as the first three.
                
                Cheers, Rob
                
                ps, it was (c) March 90 so it must have just come
                out very recently.
                
                

    It's Question Time
    
    			Spoiler alert

    ============================================================================
    
    
    In the "Sword" I never fully understood what happened to the Northland
    army at the "apparent demise" of the Warlock Lord.  Did they disband?
    Were they driven back? Did the Elven army arrive in time to save
    the city?
    
    I don't know if I simply missed a whole chapter or what!
    
    Can anyone inform me of the situation after Shea touched the Warlock
    Lord with the sword?
    
    Bob

    RE: 12
    
    
    	**  Spoiler  **
    
    
    
    -< Now just WHERE did that little old Northland Army go to anyway??>-
    
    
    Bob,
    
    I just finished reading the Sword of Shannara last night.  Yes, you are
    right, the Northland Army does seem to melt away magically.
    
    My impression was that since the Warlock Lord was destroyed; they no
    longer had their drive nor motivation to continue in the suicidal
    attacks.  After all, it wasn't THEIR conquest to rule the Earth it was
    the Warlock Lord.
    
    My 2� worth.
    
    Bonnie

                Can't believe  nobody  has  mentioned  Scions  of
                Shannara yet.  Anybody read it other than myself?
                Can;t wait for Book 2 in Heritage!
                
                

    I have just finished reading the Scions of Shannara.  Is the second
    book out yet??
    
    BjD
    
    Spoiler
    
    I was actually quite disappointed with this book, not only didn't I
    enjoy it as much ( I felt the characters were less endearing, and he
    doesn't go indepth enough for my liking ) but, it didn't even end!!!  I
    hate that!  The other three had clear beginnings and endings.  The
    books are connected more in terms of the world and nature of things,
    not as a continuing series of events.  
    
    At the end of this book, I'm not even sure Par really has the missing
    Sword of Shannara.  Why didn't Par have to face the truth about himself
    when he first picked it up?  I could see Rimmer Dall,  not being
    effected since he already knew the truth, but why not Par?  Well anyway
    that made me suspect that he might in fact have a decoy fabricated by
    Rimmer Dall.
    
    Walker is in the process of turning to stone, and Wren is being
    stalked. ARRRHGHGHGHHG!!!!!!!! AND NOTHING IS RESOLVED!!!! And if
    Brookes had REALLY killed off Coll, I would have been furious!  Killing
    an Olmsford, the very idea!
    
    Well, my reactions anyway.
    
    

    
    
    Nope, next one isn't out yet and I've already totally forgotten
    everything that happened in Scions.
    
    

    Cmdr. McBragg,
    
    Thanks.
    
    I just find it too frustrating to wait like this.  If I am not
    mistaken, each book is published several years apart.  
    
    I am usually quite happy to discover a trilogy (or series) after it 
    is completed.  I don't like waiting years to finish a story.  Horrible 
    things happen in between, like what has happened to you, you don't 
    remember anything that has happened.  The same fate will probably
    befall me.
    
    Bonnie

The new book has been released, it's already on the Best Sellers list, has
anybody seen it yet?

BjD

Saw it in Walden's here in COlorado Springs...

>================================================================================
>Note 202.18                     New Shannara Book                       18 of 18
>KYOA::DUNAIEF "Do=Damned, Don't=Damned"               4 lines  18-MAR-1991 10:08
>--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
>                          -< The Druids of Shannara >-
>
>The new book has been released, it's already on the Best Sellers list, has
>anybody seen it yet?
>
>BjD
>

    
    I'm about halfway through with this new book, and so far, it's pretty
    cheezy.  I still don't recall much of the prior book.
    
    

    
    
    A little late for this, but I was at Pheasant Lane Mall today and
    wandering in the vicinity of Waldenbooks.  FIrst thing I noticed was
    the window display has about a trillion copies of 'Druid', while my
    girlfriend was noticing the huge crowd of people to the side of the
    store just standing there.  Suddenly, this guy brushes by me and into
    the crowd and everybody starts cheering.  Then I read the piece of
    paper taped to the wall just next to me with a schedule.  The guy that
    brushed by me was Terry Brooks :').
    
    

    Yep, he's on a country wide book tour.  He'll be in Atlanta for a
    convention/book-signing the first weekend in May.

    On the Shannarah Books....
    
    So far I have read Sword and Elfstones, and started on Wishsong
    last night... (I must admit Elfstones didn't really grab me til
    2/3 of the way through the book).
    
    Can anyone supply a complete listing in chronological order of the
    shannarah series....?
    
    Bob
    

    
    (1st series)
    Sword of Shannara
    Elfstones of Shannara
    Wishsong of Shannara
    
    (2nd series)
    Heritage of Shannara
    Druids of Shannara (wait for the pb *yawn*)
    The Elf Queen of Shannara (unreleased)
    

    
    Oops, sorry about that, change Heritage of Shannara to Scions of
    Shannara.  Heritage is the name of the second series.
    
    

    I just finished SCIONS and although I wasn't to happy to be left in the
    air as to what happens next I found myself thinking about the SWORD of
    SHANNARA book ,when shea first had the sword it didn't look like
    anything special, and my first reaction when reading scions was that
    the discription of the sword as Par first viewed it, he stated it as
    "a flawless piece of workmanship" with the handle having a carved image
    of a tourch pointing skyward. As I haven't read druid yet I can only
    speculate, but what has me confused is the sword not working on Rimmer
    Dall, but it seamed to work on Par forcing him to see his true self, or
    was his breakdown due to his believing that he was the cause of coll's
    seaming demise?
                      Did he find the real sword or a fake planted there by
    rimmer dall, (which would explain it not working on him).
    
    Hmmmmmmmmm  I guess I liked the book more than I thought! 
    
    Well TB cirtainly has gotten the desired response from this bookreader,
    I can't wait to stop at a bookstore tomorrow and pick up druid and put
    a few more buckaroos in his pocket.
    
                (I really don't mind though!)
    
    Happy reading all,
     MDG

SPOILER ALERT

I've also been speculating on whether or not Par actually has the real
Sword of Shannara or not.

I have read all the Shannara books, but as far as the Heritage series
goes, I would have been much happier if this was an epic novel.  I don't like my
books not to end at the end of the book.  I felt the first Shannara series was
handled much better.  Maybe there's too many main stories to juggle, I don't
know, but there is too much ignoring of main characters and their adventures for
my taste.

I am, for the most part enjoying it (although not as much as the first 3), but I
would have been happier if I discovered the Heritage books after they were
all released.

BjD

    
    Surprised nobody's mentioned it, but picked up a new Shannara book at
    Logan Airport a few weeks back.  Elf Queen of Shannara.  $22.  About
    350 pages if I recall (I'm still reading it, found I couldn't read on
    the plane :')).  Also listed in the front is the title of the 7th book,
    which I forget at the moment.  So far it's better than the last one.
    

    
    Ah, next book is The Talismans of Shannara, and Elf Queen is 403 pages.
    
    

    I'm glad to hear that The_Elf_Queen_of_Shannara is better than the last
    one.  I've requested it from the library.  I stopped buying his books
    when the quality dropped so low. 

    So there will be a seventh book - I wonder if this one will be a few more 
    generations into the line.  Possibly another trilogy?

    Right now I have Hook, which Brooks wrote based on the screen play. 
    I'll put in a note later about it, after I've read it.  I'm starting in
    tonight.


    BjD

    
    Elf Queen I thought was MUCH better than the previous, though it was
    mostly one story line.  Brief chapters on Par, Coll and Leah, but
    almost the whole thing focused on the two rovers.  The next book,
    Talismans, will be the last in this set and wrap everything up.
    
    

    I got Druid of Shannara and Elf Queen of Shannara from the library and
    read them back to back.  This was a mistake; there's so much
    explanation, repetition and flashbacks that by the time I was halfway
    through Elf Queen I was skipping whole pages of text.
    
    SPOILER ALERT:
    
    I get the impression that these books are being published as they're
    written ("we got 400 more pages of text, let's put out a new book") and
    no one's editing them.  There was one point in Elf Queen where Walker
    has a flashback/explanation for something that happened in the
    beginning of the book but Brooks appeared to have forgotten that it was
    in the same volume.  And I don't see what purpose Carisman and the
    Urdas served except filler.
    
    As far as the sword - I was wondering if it was the real sword too, but
    my suspicion is that Coll is the one who has to wield the sword. 
    Wasn't there some stipulation that the "correct" Ohmsford has to lift
    the sword for it to work?  (My memory of the original Sword of Shannara
    is sketchy on that point.)
    
    Ginny

    I've read them all except the last 20 pages of Elf Queen, I had to return 
    the book to the library before I went away on vacation.  

    Spoiler
    
    I have also been wondering if that was the real sword.  And yes, it
    does look like the publishers are just throwing out "volumes" as they
    are written.

    I was much happier with the earlier books, which were complete stories
    by themselves.  This method is very disappointing.

    Terry Brooks is on a book promotion tour for _The_Talismans_of_
    _Shannara_:
    
    March 2		Waldenbooks, 57 Broadway, N.Y., 1:00-2:00 pm
    
    March 3		B. Daltons, 396 6th Ave., N.Y., 7:00-8:30 pm
    
    March 5		Toadstool, Keene, N.H. 6:30-8:00 pm
    
    March 6		Bookcorner, Watertown, Mass., 1:00-2:00 pm
    			Booksmith, Nashua, N.H., 6:30-8:00 pm
    
    March 7		Tatnuck, Worcester, Mass., 2:00-3:30 pm
    
    March 8		Lauriet's, Boston, Mass., 12:30-1:30 pm
    			Evergreen, Sudbury, Mass., 6:30-8:00 pm
    
    March 9		Brentano's, Providence, R.I., 12:00-1:30 pm
    			A College Hill, Providence, R.I., 6:30-8:00 pm
    
    March 10		Barnes & Noble, Philadelphia, Pa. 1:00-2:00 pm
    			Gene's Bookstore, Philadelphia, Pa. 6:00-7:30 pm
    
    March 11		Atlantic Books, Philadelphia, Pa. 12:00-1:30 pm
    			Borders, Bryn Maur, Pa. 6:30-8:00 pm

    Well, I have read the Talisman. Spoiler
    
    Wow.  What neat tieing of loose ends.  He, of course, could start
    the cycle over again.

    
    wait a sec... is this a new book?  i could swear ive read talismans
    (the name sounds familiar anyway).  maybe i was just recalling it from
    the forthcoming book listed at the end of the previous one...  maybe if
    i organized my books i could answer my own question :')
    

    talisman is indeed the new one, after elfqueen.  I had terry brooks
    sign it, in fact, I had him sign them all.  Neat person.  He plans
    to write 2 more on shannara, then write books on before alanon.