Product Description

Landover was a genuine magic kingdom, complete with fairy folk and wizardry, just as the advertisement had promised. But after he purchased it for a million dollars, Ben Holiday discovered that there were a few details the ad had failed to mention. Such as the fact that the kingdom was falling into ruin. The barons refused to recognize a king and taxes hadn't been collected for years. The dragon, Strabo, was laying waste to the countryside, while the evil witch, Nightshade, was plotting to destroy no less than everything. And if that weren't enough for a prospective king to deal with, Ben soon learned that the Iron Mark, terrible lord of the demons, challenged all pretenders to the throne of Landover to a duel to the death - a duel no mere mortal could hope to win. But Ben Holiday had one human trait that even magic couldn't overcome. Ben Holiday was stubborn...

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #442580 in Books
• Published on: 1992-04-01
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 352 pages

Review
A marvellous fantasy trip' Frank Herbert 'If Harry Potter has given you a thirst for fantasy and you have not discovered the magic of Terry Brooks, you are in for a treat' ROCKY MOUNTAIN NEWS 'Confirms Terry's place at the head of the fantasy world' Philip Pullman

About the Author
Terry Brooks was a practising attorney for many years, but now writes full time. His first novel, THE SWORD OF SHANNARA, remained on the New York Times bestseller list for 5 months, and this was followed by 13 consecutive bestselling novels.

Customer Reviews

A magic kingdom worth buying
This novel represents Brook's first departure from the Shannara series.Set in the fantasy realm of Landover he brings a whole new cast of characters into play.Ben Holiday purchases the land from a gift catalogue.The gateway between the human world and the fantasy world is an intriguing one.The good plot is complimented by a strong cast of characters including:Abernathy the polymorphed,canine scribe,Questor Thews the loyal but inept court magician,the alluring Willow and the devious witch Nightshade.I especially liked the characterisation of the dragon Strabo as Brooks humanises him, this is especially apparent in the conversation between Holiday and Strabo prior to the io dust being used;making Strabo a more vivid character.Humour is also injected into the tale with the addition of the 2 ghome gnomes Filip and Sot."great high lord" "mighty high lord"to give a sample of their speech.The book comes to a particularly strong conclusion with Ben turning the tables on Nightshade,binding Strabo to his will,rescuing his conpanions,summoning the paladin and defeating the Iron Mark.To sum up Brooks opens up Lanover in fine style.

Magic Kingdom and a Magic Read!
Excellent book. Love the way the author makes the links to fantasy and modern life - you almost believe it could happen to you! Good plot with different threads coming together, a chance to put the clues together and work out what's happening before the characters do and new types of people to meet. Thoroughly enjoyable. Wonder where you can get Rosen's Christmas Wishbook from.....

Makes your childhood fantasies come to life again
When I needed a new book and my friend from college recommended this one I was very sceptical especially from the title of the book which sounded quite childish. However trusting her judgement more than my concerns I bought the book and began to read it. Within one hour I became completely engrossed in the story and the characters, and despite my reservations to even begin the book I found myself buying the second book before even finishing the first. Ben Holiday is a lawyer who, after the death of his wife and their unborn child, finds his life in ruins and unfulfilling. He reads a gift catalogue in which he finds a magic kingdom for sale. Although all his instincts are against it he follows up the add and soon finds himself in Landover, a magical kindom (which has fallen to pieces with out the rule of a king) over which he has complete rule. However there are some who do not recognise his claim to the throne. The Lords of the Greenswald, the River folk, Strabo the dragon and Nightshade the witch are amoung those who make life as difficult as possible for the new king. With the help of Questor Thews the loyal and friendly but incompetant wizard, Abernathy the court scribe who happens to be a dog (thorugh a spell gone aray), Bunion and Parnsip and the enchanting Willow, Ben Holiday works through all the obstacles of setting Landover back to its original state, defeats the Iron Mark, claims power over Strabo and enlists the acceptance of the people of Landover. With this he settles into his position of King of Landover and finally finds a sense of belonging.