Will I love The Elfstones of Shannara?

This was my introduction to fantasy, and wow, what a story!

Of course, I eventually realised what everyone else had already known, that Sword of Shannara is basically a simplified retelling of The Lord of the Rings, but, as a first fantasy novel for a teenager to read, well, it made a huge impression on me. The second in the series, The Elfstones of Shannara, built on the strong foundation and moved away from LOTR as the author let their own imagination run free.

I liked the characters, particularly the giant druid, Allanon (yes, I have a thing… show more.

The second book of the original Shannara series follows a young man tasked with escorting a young woman to her destiny to forestall a demonic invasion. But a menacing evil stalks them: a seemingly invincible demon assassin. Can he unlock the magic secrets of the mystical Elfstones before he and his companions are destroyed and the world with them? Like many of Brooks’ novels, this one features superb world-building, white-knuckled tension, jaw-dropping action, and a bittersweet romance in a single package. The magic and environment of the book captured me in seconds and I wished Shannara was real. I re-read… show more.

A mystical tree named the Ellcrys, which keeps demons trapped in an otherworldly prison, is dying, and a fiend called the Dagda More has gotten loose. Hope for restoring the Ellcrys lies with the elven princess, Amberle, and her protector, Wil Ohmsford. Unfortunately, Wil can’t unlock the power to control his primary weapon, the demon-slaying Elfstones, so he and Amberle go on the run. 

For me, it is Wil who really ties this elegantly written story together, in his genuine desire to be strong while plagued by self-doubt. I feel his pain as he strives to protect the princess and… show more.