The Annotated Sword of Shannara: 35th Anniversary Edition

THE PHENOMENAL EPIC OF GOOD AND EVIL LIKE IT’S NEVER BEEN EXPERIENCED BEFORE

Thirty-five years ago, Terry Brooks brought to life a dazzling world in The Sword of Shannara. Nineteen more Shannara volumes would follow, making the series one of the most popular fantasy epics of all time. Now comes a fully annotated collector’s edition of the novel that started it all—featuring never-before-shared insights into the classic tale, an all-new introduction by the New York Times bestselling author, and replicas of the original sketches for some of the long-lost, black-and-white paintings by the Brothers Hildebrandt that decorated the original edition, and a replica of the original Hildebrandt central color plate on the back of the jacket..

Long ago, wars ravaged the world. In peaceful Shady Vale, half-elfin Shea Ohmsford knows little of such troubles. Then the giant, forbidding Allanon reveals that 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.

Soon a Skull Bearer, dread minion of a mighty evil, flies into the Vale, seeking to destroy Shea. To save his home, Shea must flee, drawing the Skull Bearer after him in menacing pursuit.

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

PRAISE FOR TERRY BROOKS

“The Sword of Shannara is an unforgettable and wildly entertaining epic, animated by Terry Brooks’s cosmically generative imagination and storytelling joy. This was one of my favorite fictional worlds growing up, and I look forward to many return trips.”—Karen Russell, New York Times bestselling author of Swamplandia!

“Terry Brooks has been my constant companion over a lifetime of exploring my beloved fantasy genre. I say with all honesty I would not be writing epic fantasy today if not for Shannara. If Tolkien is the grandfather of modern fantasy, Terry Brooks is its favorite uncle.”—Peter V. Brett, New York Times bestselling author of The Desert Spear

“I can’t even begin to count how many of Terry Brooks’s books I’ve read (and reread) over the years. From Shannara to Landover, his work was a huge part of my childhood.”—Patrick Rothfuss, New York Times bestselling author of The Name of the Wind

“Terry Brooks is a master of the craft and a trailblazer who established fantasy as a viable genre. Not only do I owe him for many hours of reading pleasure, I owe him my job. He is required reading.”—Brent Weeks, New York Times bestselling author of The Night Angel Trilogy

“The Shannara books were among the first to really capture my imagination. I didn’t just enjoy reading the novels—the world became so real that I would spend hours creating Shannara fan-fiction in my mind. My daydreams and therefore my stories will always owe a debt to Terry Brooks.”—Brandon Mull, #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Beyonders and Fablehaven series

Critic reviews

PRAISE FOR TERRY BROOKS

“The Sword of Shannara is an unforgettable and wildly entertaining epic, animated by Terry Brooks’s cosmically generative imagination and storytelling joy. This was one of my favorite fictional worlds growing up, and I look forward to many return trips.”—Karen Russell, New York Times bestselling author of Swamplandia!

“Terry Brooks has been my constant companion over a lifetime of exploring my beloved fantasy genre. I say with all honesty I would not be writing epic fantasy today if not for Shannara. If Tolkien is the grandfather of modern fantasy, Terry Brooks is its favorite uncle.”—Peter V. Brett, New York Times bestselling author of The Desert Spear

“I can’t even begin to count how many of Terry Brooks’s books I’ve read (and reread) over the years. From Shannara to Landover, his work was a huge part of my childhood.”—Patrick Rothfuss, New York Times bestselling author of The Name of the Wind

“Terry Brooks is a master of the craft and a trailblazer who established fantasy as a viable genre. Not only do I owe him for many hours of reading pleasure, I owe him my job. He is required reading.”—Brent Weeks, New York Times bestselling author of The Night Angel Trilogy

“The Shannara books were among the first to really capture my imagination. I didn’t just enjoy reading the novels—the world became so real that I would spend hours creating Shannara fan-fiction in my mind. My daydreams and therefore my stories will always owe a debt to Terry Brooks.”—Brandon Mull, #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Beyonders and Fablehaven series

“When Terry Brooks hit the New York Times bestseller list in 1977, it opened my eyes to the limitless possibilities of the fantasy genre and the determination to see my own dreams fulfilled.”—Michael J. Sullivan, author of The Riyria Revelations

Wonderful Book, Loved the Annotations

Fantastic tale, super creative. Fun to re-read it and remember why I enjoyed it in the 80s.

Shannara Shines

This Annotated version was a delight! Terry Brooks' debut offering is an exceptional epic fantasy overflowing with danger, inner turmoil, mystery and magic!

A

The annotations are distracting and take away from the flow of the story. The reader is excellent.

I enjoyed listening to Terry Brooks annotations -

I really enjoyed Terry Brooks injections most of the time & especially near the end. I missed it in the others. loved the book & am a huge Terry Brooks fan!! Love his writing!

Mixed feelings - before buying please read.

I’ll give examples but I won’t use spoilers. This is long but it’s an honest review.

Let me begin with, I only buy very long books, at least 30 hours and I “read” 3-4 books a week; honestly (I don’t sleep much). I had never heard of the series but someone suggested it for me.

Since I had not heard of it, I thought this version would be helpful having the author explain things I would have otherwise missed. Well, I suggest, if you’re new to the series, buy the regular version. With the author butting in, you lose the flow; like you’re listening to a “goodbye” scene and just before the sadness hits you, the author butts in “that was a sad part” killing the intended vibe. Also, because he pretty much won’t shut up, I found myself losing interest and not paying attention. When I realized I wasn’t paying attention, I had to go back 4-5 chapters. With normally reading 3-4 books a week, this book took me literally 2 weeks to get half way through. I was very irritated by then that I gave up and didn’t finish.

Another thing that bugged me, was use of the word “several” meaning, many, a lot etc but this author used it often but when he wasn’t talking about many. The way he was describing the situation, it felt like he was trying to say “few”, not a lot.

The last thing that annoyed me and it was only once or twice but once it gets in your head, it stays there. In the scenes where the good guy is face to face with the bad guy for the first time. Imagine if you will, the first time Harry meets Voldemort. Harry was what? Like 13?? Well, it was still tense when they starting their monologues. In this book it’s more like the nerd in high school trying to sound tough but ends up sounding like you’re very naive grandmother (not a direct quote or spoiler just an exaggerating description) “Now listen here you you (stutters) um flunky, go away or I sure will make you sorry” you get the idea. That also kills the vibe of the entire story.

With all that said, the narrator was awesome! Great male and female voices and really great accents.

The story was alright but like I said, I only got half way and didn’t finish. It’s basically any fantasy with a group of friends have to go on a quest and save the world, yes obviously inspired by LotR but not as good. It’s definitely not a bad read but considering there are like 1,900 books in the series and you only get 2 or maybe just 1 credit a month, there are several better options to use your credit with. I wish I had left it in my wish list for Audible to add if their free book collectibon.