Hmmmm.... a lot to say about this book. I didn't hate it, actually enjoyed it to an extent, but the book was burdened by two very powerful flaws. Firstly, it's a shameless copy of so many Tolkien elements and characters (which the author admits he was heavily influenced by). Secondly, the overuse of adjectives and descriptors, and frequent recapping inner monologs and introspection, combine to pad out this book so much it's at times a turgid chore to push through.
In terms of copying (homage?), there's Shea (Frodo/Bilbo), Sam (Flick), Allanon (Gandalf), Menion Leah (Aragorn), Balinor (Boromir), Stenmin (Grima), Hendel (Gimil), Eventine (Elrond), Skull bearers (Ringwraiths), Gnomes (orcs), Brona (Sauron), the Ring (the Sword) and a company (fellowship) of other humans, elves and dwarves to get the two main heroes from A to B.
At least Panamon Creel is original... unless you've seen the Prisoner of Zelda.
Having said that, Brooks takes the story in a number of new directions so that even Tolkien purists who think this is a dead set photocopy get a new adventure. Also (SPOILER ALERT), the author has set this story some thousand years into the future of our very own real life world in a post-apocalyptic Earth where Humans evolved into a range of species... Gnomes, Dwarves, Trolls, Druids (smart humans), and bog-ordinary humans. Elves had been here all along in hiding (who knew).
This is one of the author's first books and since he's knocked out 25 Shannara books now, presumably he has refined the somewhat bloated story telling he uses here. Brooks is revered by many in Fantasy fandom, but for mine this lacks the inventiveness and tight plotting of Raymond E Feist or the political intrigue and cleverness of George R R Martin.
So back to where I started. It's not a bad book and is mostly enjoyable, it just isn't terribly original and a bit prolix. Apparently the series gets better, more restrained and more original. You just may have to work to get to that point.
