Epic fantasy
The Sword of Shannara
A half-elf youth living a quiet life in a peaceful valley learns that he alone can wield a magic sword against a dark lord. A druid sends him on a long, dangerous journey with a small band of companions.
- First published
- 1977
- Pace
- medium
- Length
- long
- Format
- Standalone
Read this if you like old-school quest fantasy with a farm-boy hero, a wizard guide and a monster-filled road.
Skip this if you want fresh ideas; it closely follows the pattern of The Lord of the Rings.
The feel
Content warnings
Where to get it
| Store | Price | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Borrow free | ||
| Libby / OverDrive | Free with a library card | Borrow free with Libby from Libby / OverDrive |
| Print, new | ||
| Bookshop.org | Check price | Buy new from Bookshop.org |
| Amazon | Check price | Buy new from Amazon |
| Barnes & Noble | Check price | Buy new from Barnes & Noble |
| Print, used | ||
| AbeBooks | Check price | Buy used from AbeBooks |
| ThriftBooks | Check price | Buy used from ThriftBooks |
| Ebook | ||
| Kobo | Check price | Buy ebook from Kobo |
| Google Play Books | Check price | Buy ebook from Google Play Books |
| Audiobook | ||
| Libro.fm | Check price | Buy audiobook from Libro.fm |
| Audible | Check price | Buy audiobook from Audible |
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Because you might love it
If you loved The Sword of Shannara
-
The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring
The book that Shannara is closely modelled on, with a deeper sense of history and language.
-
The Eye of the World
Another farm-boy-to-hero epic with a long road, though it grows into a far larger series.
-
Pawn of Prophecy
A lighter and chattier quest with a similar young hero and found companions.
Epic fantasy
