[Sever]

I read sword and elfstones of shannara before LotR so the rip-off factor went unnoticed. (even then, they were still hardly original). I enjoyed both the first time around (especially elfstones) but a while later i read them again and was disappointed. I appreciate books that have a lot of depth, so much so that you gain a better understanding with each read and they become more enjoyable each time (Silmarillion, anyone?). The shannara series definately lacks this quality.