Book Review: The Sword of Shannara by Terry Brooks

                Terry Brooks’ first novel, “The Sword of Shannara,” fulfills most of the tenets of an old-fashioned fantasy story and the structure of Western classical mythology. In many ways, the adventures of Shea Ohmsfold and the company from Culhaven is analogous to Frodo Baggins’ adventure with the Fellowship out of Rivendale. That Tolkien heavily influenced Brook’s narrative is without question; but that doesn’t detract from my assessment that Brooks is an excellent writer.

                Brooks is a master world-builder and his greatest talent is capturing the right words to paint a canvas in the reader’s mind, illustrating every scene with powerful and distinguished clarity. We enter the Four Lands of Brooks’ debut novel, immersed in every excruciatingly detailed scene, as would characters that have never left their own backyard. Yet as with many first-time writers, Brooks is still finding his groove and his descriptions are often long, often uneconomical. Streams of paragraphs seem to flow down the page before any action or dialogue even takes place. But his ability to paint scenes serves him well in depicting the climactic Battle of Tyrsis. Brooks weaves story threads gracefully, building up dramatic tension, and culminating in a battle that his writing portrays as both epic in scope and tragic for those involved.

                In his later novels, over time, Brooks becomes more adept at characterizations and diversifying their point-of-views. In “Sword”, some characters, though not all, suffer from a lack of inner complexities and unstrained development. My favourite characters are arguably the most original and well-developed. Panamon Creel is the brave, if morally ambiguous, rogue who despite being a thief, is anchored to the side of good by his code of honor.  In his reluctance to accept a higher calling in being Shea’s protector and companion, he reminds me of the swashbuckling Han Solo from “A New Hope.” Like Han, Panamon rises beyond his own expectations and is selflessly transformed by his heroic actions to serve the greater good. I liked that he dresses much in red, a traditional color for heroes in Japanese culture, foreshadowing his role late in the novel. His mute Troll companion, Keltset Mallicos, is stoic and introverted. He is the embodiment of integrity and a steadfast will. Unlike vast numbers of his race who’ve surrendered to the Warlock Lord, Keltset chooses exile rather than be converted to the ranks of the Skull Kingdom, even after the rest of his family was slaughtered, and because of his strength of will, his tongue was cut. Keltset demonstrates that his actions forever speak louder than words. These two are Brooks’ most complex characters in “Sword of Shannara,” because unlike the others who wear everything out in the open, these two are layered in their emotional intricacies and multifarious traits.

                While reading “Sword of Shannara” will likely remind you of “Lord of the Rings,” I recommend this epic narrative to anyone who loves modern fantasy. Terry Brooks is a master at work. Near the last third of “Shannara,” Brooks’ narrative and style begin to identify themselves, and we see the seeds of growth from a writer whose skills certain flourish into creating some of the most entertaining and enduring fantasy stories ever written.