The Scions of Shannara (The Heritage of Shannara Book 1)

I just bought three audio version of this book and it's abridged down to 3 hours! Nothing indicated this and now I've wasted my money.

The book, as I remember it, is great, but don't buy this audio book expecting what is offered for the other shannara audiobooks. It'snot worth the money.

First of all, Terry Brooks is a magnificent writer! I enjoyed this book greatly! Although to like this book, you have to like his style of writing, which he has established in his previous books! (Sword of Shannara, is my third all time favorite book, although I was disappointed in the Elfstones)A few things that I didn't really like was the beggining, just before they set out on the quest and Leah, is discouraging them: This is too much like the other books, and I thought it boring, and pointless, since I knew they would end up going anyways! I am really happy to see a relative of Panamon Creel back in the story! Oh, I must point out that this novel has a very fascinating and captivating ending!

okay, to all y'all crazily disappointed fantasy fans who did NOT want to read a LOTR ripoff like the first series that Terry Brooks has written, (except the prequel!) sword of shannara, elfstones of shannara, blahbedy blah blah blah, and lets say a friend recomended those books for you saying they were great and if u read em, it would be easier to understand this one and the ones that come after them......they're liars. I read this sereis, a completely original strory, with intrigue, quests(my favorite) and really evil evil ppl, I was so happy, because a long time ago I read the first part of the Sword of Shannara, and I was like blah.....so a few years later, i read this,, thinking...well, I'll give this author a second chance, and I was suprised! the first few books that Terry Brooks wrote were warmups for this, you know the first fantasy series isn't quite as good, etc. this book was AMAZANG!!! AMAZANG!! and.......u don't have to read the first sereis to get it, ......I WIL REPEAT, YOU DO NOT HAVE TO READ THE FIRST SERIES TO UNDERSTAND THIS BOOK! YOU WILL CATCH UP AS YOU GO ALONG, THE FIRST SERIES WILL DRIVE YOU AWAY FROM SOMETHING THAT IS SO SO SO SO GOOD! this is the best fantasy I've read in a while, okay, so just know that....when u read it....k?

This book, although not badly written, is exceptionally uninspired. The characters are rehashes of characters used in his earlier books almost exactly. His plot is somewhat tired as well; the little party on it's quest. As events happen, they don't seem to advance the story much, they are just the obligatory compications. Perhaps the most annoying facet of the story is the references to all his previous books and characters. I think it's nice to have a sense of continuity between series set in the same location, but here it comes across as if Brooks can't quit congratulating himself on everything else he's written previously. Brooks seems to have put little thought into this one. I'm not sure I will move on to the next; I may just reread Robert Jordan's series instead.

Initially I was disappointed with the ending of the first book as I was not aware of the continuing saga....But after reading this book I could hardly wait for the next and the anticipation of looking ahead to read what would happen next. Now that all are in print...buy them all and read them...make it a goal...

The main reason I like this book so much is because it gives you a plot that is really interesting, The story is as follows 300 years has passed since the death of Allanon and four lands have changed greatly. The elfs have dissapered, the dwarfs are inslaved by the federation who have gained control over the fourlands. And strange creatures called Shadowen are seeking to destroy all the races. Par and Coll Ohmsford have been charged with the task of finding the legendary sword of shannara, Wren, Par's cousin, has been charged to find the elves, and Walker Boh, Par's uncle, has been charged to bring back the lost Paranor and the Druids. And in order for them to finsh these tasks they must outwit the Shadowen.

Boring, and it takes forever to get going. I gave up halfway through. Terry repeats himself constantly to "remind" us how characters are feeling about certain things. I'm guessing he did this to increase the word count, but I found myself skimming paragraphs, sometimes PAGES, before finding the story moving forward once again. If you've read one Terry Brooks book, you've read them all.

This book is exciting and suspenseful. It has many interesting characters in it and a fast plot line that always makes you want to read more. If adventure or fantasy books interest you, you should read this book. It takes you through a unique land with many different types of animals and people. You should read this book because of the vivid descripctions that draw you in. Follow Par Ohmsford's nearly impossible quest to get a long-lost sword. I enjoyed reading this book for all these reasons and think everyone should read it too. This book is full of exciting material and is a thriller for all readers.

Terry Brooks has come a long way from that first rip-off to be one of my favorite sci fi writers. To everyone who thought that "Sword of Shannara" was a poor copy of LotR (greatest novel ever written), don't let that stop you from reading this series. The characters are much better, the plot more developed, and the meaning deeper, even if the end fell a little short of my expectations. The Druid of Shannara was excellent. And for those who think this is just for kids, I am a very well read college English major, and I found these books very enjoyable. Great job, Mr. Brooks, I can't wait to see where it goes from here.

I love all the Shannara books and this series was know different. Mr. Brooks creates intricate plots poepled with complicated characters and lush landscapes. The villians are sinister and heros are characters that you can related to even with all there faults.

So, you've read the Sword, Elfstones, and Wishsong... there's a lot more to come, and it all starts with this book. The Heritage of Shannara is an excelent series from Terry Brooks, almost as good as his Word and the Void series.

The Shannara series is famous, and it may be worth reading for that, as it is a big mover in the pulp fantasy circles. Other than that, there is no real reason to read the series. It's not bad, but it's not good. You might be better served reading the Lord of the Rings. If you have already read that, then you have already read a better version of this.

i kept telling myself to slw down, because when i finish this series it's over, no more Shannara, but i couldn't help it. This series was wonderful. Brooks has found himself with these books. His first books(The sword of, the Elfstones of, the Wishsong of) were good, but if you've read Tolkien Deja vu. These books weren't copycats.

When I read "Scions of Shannara" I understood that Terry Brooks' newest Shannara-series "The Heritage of Shannara" was going to be at the same level as the first three books. The difference between the two series is that "Heritage" is following ONE story that doesn't end until you've read the last book. This will give you many pleasant evenings in the world of Shannara. Join Par, Coll, Walker Wren, Cogline, Morgan and the others now!

It took my two weeks to stop giving up on the Sword trilogy but after I got past the first 50 pages, I was hooked. Unfortunately, Scions was quite the let-down. It read like it was just thrown together...one those books that could have been condensed into 25 pages. But, I'll keep reading the series. Every now and then this happens in the big series...don't let one bad apple destroy the entire grove, right?

Terry Brooks' writing style is compelling. You don't want to put the book down. You'll love books 1 - 3 of this series, but be warned: Book 4 falls far short of the rest. The first three books will almost read themselves, but Book 4 moves much too quickly. Everything concludes much too abruptly. My advise: get this series at the library. Its not quite good enough to buy.

I have only read the first 50 pages of the book and i already rate it as the best book i have ever read. it drew me in so fast it took my breath away. I know that sounds kind of weird about a book but it amazed me. i believe that Terry Brooks is a wonderful author and i will continue to read his books as long as he writes them. everyone interested in mystery-suspense-science fiction books should read this.

If I had just read this book I would've given it another star; it truely did suck me in. But be warned; the fourth book in the series falls totally flat after three exciting books. You will be let down.

I thought that this book was really good. I really liked it when you thought that the action was about to end it actually just begins. I think that Terry is one of the best authors that I have ever read books by. Every one I know who has read his books thought that they were fantastic. If you want a great book this one's for you

This book was so exciting that I could not put it down!! I think that everyone who is a fan of fantasy books should read this series. Mr. Brooks deals more with each persons inner most thoughts in his characters. Then when a situation arises we can guess or be surprised of what he has the character do!! GREAT BOOK!!!!!!!!!!