• The Sword of Shannara

  • The Shannara Series, Book 1
  • By: Terry Brooks
  • Narrated by: Scott Brick
  • Length: 26 hrs and 21 mins
  • 4.2 out of 5 stars (9,606 ratings)

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The Sword of Shannara  By  cover art

The Sword of Shannara

By: Terry Brooks
Narrated by: Scott Brick
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Publisher's summary

The Sword of Shannara is the first volume of the classic series that has become one of the most popular fantasy tales of all time.

Long ago, the wars of the ancient Evil ruined the world. In peaceful Shady Vale, half-elfin Shea Ohmsford knows little of such troubles. But the supposedly dead Warlock Lord is plotting to destroy everything in his wake.

The sole weapon against this Power of Darkness is the Sword of Shannara, which can be used only by a true heir of Shannara. On Shea, last of the bloodline, rests the hope of all the races.

Thus begins the enthralling Shannara epic, a spellbinding tale of adventure, magic, and myth....

©1977 Terry Brooks (P)2003 Books on Tape, Inc.

What listeners say about The Sword of Shannara

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    5,186
  • 4 Stars
    2,407
  • 3 Stars
    1,221
  • 2 Stars
    492
  • 1 Stars
    300
Performance
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    4,745
  • 4 Stars
    1,936
  • 3 Stars
    872
  • 2 Stars
    266
  • 1 Stars
    221
Story
  • 4 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    4,392
  • 4 Stars
    1,893
  • 3 Stars
    1,062
  • 2 Stars
    433
  • 1 Stars
    281

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Great start to Epic Series, Narrator A+, Brooks A+

Enjoyed this first book of adventure into an epic fantasy world. Loved the story and characters and there was so much action! I’m off to Elfstones now. Highly recommend! Author and narrator are the best.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

epic story listened to it numerous times

One of my all-time favorites. can't get enough of Terry Brooks novels. you won't be disappointed!

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

it is One of the best story I've ever heard even

even if it was like the Lord of the rings it was still Great 👍 even if it was like it. but there are other books in the series and they can't all be like the Lord of the rings aren't like the Lord of the rings. and yes I have listened to the Lord of the rings about 15 times yes the holl thing

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Eloquently narrated

Love the pace and timing, the separation of the characters and remaining on timeline is the way I like to hear a good story. Nicely done. I would recommend this book to a lover of Fantasy!

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Mispronounced Shannara Throughout Entire Book

We know how Shannara is pronounced. It's not like Terry Brooks has passed away and no one remembers. We have videos and explanations. Really distracted by this during an otherwise good audio book.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

A classic fantasy novel

I loved reading this book when I was in high school and still enjoy it. Terry Brooks heavily borrowed from Tolkien but as a huge LoR fan I don't have too much of a problem with that. I also enjoy the post armageddon world created by Brooks that this book began. If you are looking for nihilism on the level of Game of Thrones, Brooks works might not be hardcore enough for you but if you want good fantasy with good world building give this a try.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

I first read this series 40 years ago period

I enjoyed this version of the audiobook period having read the original series about four years ago, I decided to start with the prelude to this series, the children of Armageddon. Once that was done. I am enjoying the series thru for the second time.

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    1 out of 5 stars

a never ending parade of cliches. welll narated

To be fair I am writing this after 2 hours listenning and undecided wether or not to continue.
if you are a regular reader of fantasy then this story appears to be a collection of cliches. the author has a habit of using overly florid descriptions and the story routinely uses the 'amazing, miraculous, unexpected and unexplained escape' tool to extract the hapless heroes from the jaws of death or capture. I keep thinking 'oh crap the authors not going to.......' but he does.
The saving grace is that Scott Brick is narating, this guy can turn a shopping list into an enthralling yarn.
If you are new to this form of fantasy dive in and enjoy.
iI hope it improves as I try to get some value from buying it.

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8 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    2 out of 5 stars

Just get on with the story

The story moves soooo slow. The author has to give every detail of the thoughts of every character. Suppose this..... Suppose that....

As a reader I can figure out what characters are thinking. Not everything needs explaining over and over and over.

Not listening to the next books.

The narrator is great.

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8 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars

A good book

This would be 3.5 stars if that were available. Its a great adventure with plenty of interesting characters. It has a thought provoking back story, that leads into a gripping tale. At times it felt a little too much like a condensed lord of the rings. That feeling had me looking forward to a continuation of the tale, but the next story in this trilogy is 2 generations later.

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3 people found this helpful