Magic Kingdom for Sale--Sold!

Overview

After Ben Holiday purchased Landover, he discovered the magic kingdom had some problems. The Barons refused to recognize a king and the peasants were without hope. To make matters worse, Ben learned that he had to duel to the death with the Iron Mask, the terrible lord of the demons--a duel which no human could hope to win....

Editorial Reviews

Brooks bestselling Shannara trilogy may have been at heart a formulaic fantasy but its vigorous storytelling and intriguing characters won many readers. In his first non-Shannara novel, he takes on another well-worn premise: the contemporary Earthling transported to a fantasy world. Ben Holiday is a lawyer who finds little satisfaction in his work. His yearning for a simpler life seems thwarted when he finds the magic kinddom of Landover, a close analogy of Earth, with precariously balanced powers threatening each other, massive pollution, and general discontent centering on a lack of faith in leaders. This first volume in the new series is mainly introductory as Ben meets the locals and dashes off a few impossible tasks to assert his right to the throne. While still inventive, Brooks fails badly in his lackluster, unbelievable protagonist, his preachy moral tags and the adolescent, daydream quality of Ben's triumphs. Shannarafans are in for a disappointment. 150,000 first printing; major ad/promo; author tour.
Copyright 1986 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Author Information

Bio of Terry Brooks

Terry Brooks is the New York Times bestselling author of more than twenty-five books, including the Genesis of Shannara novel Armageddon's Children; The Sword of Shannara; the Voyage of the Jerle Shannara trilogy: Ilse Witch, Antrax, and Morgawr; the High Druid of Shannara trilogy: Jarka Ruus, Tanequil, and Straken; the nonfiction book Sometimes the Magic Works: Lessons from a Writing Life; and the novel based upon the screenplay and story by George Lucas, Star Wars:(r) Episode I The Phantom Menace.(tm) His novels Running with the Demon and A Knight of the Word were selected by the Rocky Mountain News as two of the best science fiction/fantasy novels of the twentieth century. The author was a practicing attorney for many years but now writes full-time. He lives with his wife, Judine, in the Pacific Northwest and Hawaii.

Customer Reviews

• Quirky book title doesn't do this book justice

  Posted June 20, 2009 by MVince, Atlanta

  I've read many Terry Brooks novels over the years, mostly in the Shannara series, but had always ignored this one because of the title. Frankly, it sounded kind of goofy. However, when it was offered for free by eBooks, I figured I had nothing to lose. I'm very glad I did. Just finished it this morning. The books combines modern times (well, 1986 anyway) with mythical times. It's about a successful, but burned out attorney in the mid 80s looking for some meaning to life after losing his wife and unborn child and simply coasting through life for not apparent reason. Once the story moves to the fantasy world, Terry's writing style really shines through again. I just purchased the second in the series to continue the adventure. I wouldn't put this up there with the Elfstones, but it's an excellent read with good characters and plenty of suspense. Hopefully the second will be even better.

• Wonderful Surprise

  Posted August 10, 2009 by Michael, Utah

  Like the previous reviewer, I avoided the book because of the silly title. I actually downloaded the book and it sat unread on my reader for some time before I decided, on a whim, to read the first few pages. I ended up loving the book!
  
  Overlook the title and try the book for yourself. Lots of fun and a great diversion.

Additional Info

Imprint

Del Rey

Filesize

2.30 MB

Number of Pages

384

eBook ISBN

9780307538086