Elfstones of Shannara [Audio Cassette]

"The Elfstones of Shannara" functions better than "Swords" in terms of showcasing Brooks personality and strengthening the differences between him and Tolkien. While this chapter in his fantasy saga does not pull Terry Brooks out of his predecessor's shadow, it does take a step in the right direction. It seems strange, almost, reading a book decades after it's published, and then reviewing it almost a year after. But the fact that I still recall most of the characters and most of the stepping stones that form its plot speak to my fondness for this story. Published in 1982, "Elfstones" expands the Shannara universe. While the first novel journeyed north, this one explores west, just as the next sequel, "Wishsong," goes east.

The young Omsford hero is Wil, the grandson of Shea, whose journey to master the unpredictable, untamable, and immeasurable power of the Elfstones and escort Amberle Elessedil to the Ellcrys form the pivotal arc of the novel. Yet I would argue that the two Elessedils' personal struggles are more worthy of attention. Over the course of the story, Amberle learns of the terrible sacrifice she has to make and through her, Brooks studies the age old balance between personal freedom and a far-reaching destiny. It is the choice all heroes have to make and of course Amberle emerges true, but the cost is dire and when Wil feels gut-wrenching despair at what is lost, so do we feel it; not because Brooks tells us to (I'm telling you to, dammit), but because we've all lost someone close to our hearts, or at least, we can imagine what that would be like.

In hindsight, I doubt Wil and Amberle ever entertained romantic feelings for one another. But their chemistry for one another and the intricacy of love that emerges from taking another being's life and swearing to protect it with your own transcends romance. They were bound in life and I think Brooks nailed it honestly and perfectly.

The other significant hero in this narrative is Ander Elessedil. He is the younger, underwhelming Prince of the Elves. He has a strained relationship with his brother Arion, a close one with his niece Amberle, and an unfulfilled one with his father Eventine. The Elves serve as wardens of the Ellcrys, a magical seal over a prison dimension containing demons from the Age of Faerie. As the Ellcrys weakens and demons pour out, the Elves muster their armies for war. The battle is narrated fluently, as I've come to expect of Brooks. When Arion is killed in battle, Ander is thrust into a leadership position, and he forces himself to act as his brother would. Fake it till you make it, it would seem. Against the desperate mood of the war in the backdrop as slowly, but surely, their Elven forces lose ground and numbers, Arion becomes a capable military leader and a beacon of hope for his people. He develops a friendship with the formidable but kind Stee Jans, the leader of the Legion Free Corps, one of his fewest confidants.

The story is gripping, the characters memorable, the tone somber. Wil and Amberle's harrowing flight is fraught with death and sorrow from beginning to end while Ander's warfront captures the dark mood and desperate perspective of real-world combat. This is easily one of Terry Brooks' darker novels and one of his finest additions to an epic universe in the multiverse of fantasy.

I read THE SWORD OF SHANNARA(SOS) in 1984...once I finished SOS I promptly bought THE ELFSTONES OF SHANNARA(EOS) and what a great read this book is.

The only real character carried over from SOS is Alanon. Eventine and Flick have cameos of a sort but are not main charaters in this story. Instead we have a great lead character in Wil Ohmsford. He unlike virtually every other Ohmsford in the various Shannara stories has a carrer. He is a self made man who has worked hard to get where he is in life. He is young adult, not a teen as most other Ohmsfords when they are wisked away on a journey. I think many readers can identify with Wil as he is a young person just starting out in life with all the uncertainities that come with that age. Next we have a great supporting cast. Ander, Amberle, Allanon and Eretria are all given good character development. The Rovers were also fun to read about. Obviously the Rovers are the Brooks equivelent of Gypsies and I found their lifestlye and practices to be a nice additon to the story.

Oddly, when compared to his other Shannara writings, Brooks seems to have been able to describe a love story that really works. Unlike the relationship between Menion & Shirl that was under deveoped in SOS, the relationship between Brin and Rone in THE WISHSONG OF SHANNARA(WOS) that was over developed or the relationship between Bek and Little Red in THE VOYAGE OF THE JERELE SHANNARA trilogy that was somehow never really explained but more graphic than any of the other relationships mentioned the relationship between Amberele & Wil is a treat to watch unfold. Eretria adds to the story by making the love story a love triangle so that the reader is never quite sure how it will end.

I thought the demons made for great villans. Unlike the Skull Bearers in SOS and the Mord Wraiths in WOS which had no individual personality the demons in EOS had individual personalities and that made them a lot more interesting to read about.

I have read this book many times. I agree with the other reviewers that it is an original story. When I first read the book I began to suspect the fate of Amberle but even so the ending was so saddening that it may well bring tears to the eyes of the reader. During subsequent readings I think it was pretty clear early on where this books ending was headed. However, I think that depends on what type of reader you are. Are you the type that reads and tries to anticipate what will happen or do you allow yourself to be swept along with the story not giving a lot of thought to what will happen. I am second type. There is actually a slight pick me to the sad ending on the final two pages of the book that may uplift the readers disposition.

Lastly, this is a great blend of fantasy, action and romance. While Brooks other works are for the most part good this is his best work!

I read Sword and was kinda disappointed. I decided to give its sequel a shot and was pleasantly surprised. While this book still has your forgetable main heros, it redeems itself in that category with two cool characters, Stan Jees and Garet Jax. The plot has more originality and makes the book more interesting. It also shows new evils with the witch sisters, the Dagda, the Reaper, and the demons(very neat). Highly Recommended.