Magic Kingdom for Sale/Sold (The Magic Kingdom of Landover) [Paperback]

Terry Brooks (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1, 1992 | Series: The Magic Kingdom of Landover

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...

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

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. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 382 pages
• Publisher: Orbit Books (April 1, 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1857232569
• ISBN-13: 978-1857232561
• Product Dimensions: 6.9 x 4.1 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (162 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #138,488 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Terry Brooks is the New York Times bestselling author of more than twenty-five books, including the Genesis of Shannara novels Armageddon's Children and The Elves of Cintra; 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.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

27 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great series!, August 4, 2000

By 

M. Tidman (nowhere in particular) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Magic Kingdom for Sale--Sold! (Magic Kingdom of Landover) (Mass Market Paperback)

I'm an avid fan of fantasy, but I'd read (or tried to read) other books by Terry Brooks, and not really been able to get in to them (probably my fault, but still. . .) Anyhow, this book was captivating from the first page to the last, and I found myself wishing that I could find a magic kingdom for sale in some odd catalogue, as Ben Holiday does in this book. As he journeys to the magic kingdom of Landover, he finds that being king of a fairy kingdom isn't all strolling through ferny forests and sunlit meadows -- for all is not well in this kingdom, and the king is the one with the heaviest load of responsibility. . . and the most pressing weight of danger. . .

I highly recommend this book to any fantasy fan, which at points is funny, mystical, romantic, action-packed; and it's interesting throughout. Enjoy, and the check out the rest of the series, because they're all great reads!

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Falling apart - I've read it so many times!, October 6, 2002

By 

Christina M. Roberts "Neyjour" (Texas, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Magic Kingdom for Sale--Sold! (Magic Kingdom of Landover) (Mass Market Paperback)

What can I say!? Terry Brooks is the one who pretty much spearheaded my interest in Fantasy with The Sword of Shannara, and from there I also went on to enjoy the tales of the magical kingdom of Landover. Magic Kingdom For Sale Sold is one of my all-time favorite books. I loved it as a child, and still love it as an adult. In fact, I've lost track of how many times I have read and re-read it over the years. It is a definite keeper, and one that I have recommended to all my friends, and anyone that has a love of Fantasy.

Have you ever wished that you could find a portal to another world? Have you ever dreamed of being swept away into a magical land with fantastical creatures? Well that is exactly what happened to Ben Holiday. He answered an add in a Christmas catalogue, thinking it to be a joke, and instead found himself stepping through the boundary between our world and the world of Landover ... and as it's king no less! Sounds wonderful right? Well, let's just say that things were not exactly what he expected!

Terry Brooks has spun a thoroughly enchanting tale with Magic Kingdom For Sale Sold! It has so many wonderful elements; magic, romance, fascinating creatures, humor, a hint of mystery, and lots of wonderful, quirky characters. But be warned ... once you pick it up, you will not be able to put it down until you have read the last page! And the adventure doesn't end there. There are four more books in the series, all equally as good as the first; The Black Unicorn, Wizard At Large, The Tangle Box, and Witches' Brew.

I highly recommend this book. If you haven't yet read it yet, then what are you waiting for?!! Buy it now! You will not be disappointed ... I promise.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Terry Brooks takes you in to an whole new world, October 21, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Magic Kingdom for Sale--Sold! (Magic Kingdom of Landover) (Mass Market Paperback)

Recently I finished reading an exciting book "Magic Kingdom For Sale:Sold" by Terry Brooks. I would definitely recommend this book to others that are interested in this author. This book may appear to be a classic style fantasy with knights in shining armor fighting dragons. But, Terry Brooks has managed to add an unusual twist to it by placing the setting in a large, modern city in the first part of the novel. This is a great book for summer reading because you simply cannot put it down. It may be a little more difficult for children under the age of eleven because of its length and some of the vocabulary. The story starts out in the large city. A well-known lawyer named Ben Holiday is the main character. Ever since Ben's wife died, he had been very depressed and in need of a break from the real world. One night, Ben arrives at his house from work and he has received a Christmas catalog in the mail. As he is flipping through it, he finds an ad for a private island filled with fantasy and magic. At this time he is strongly in need of a place to escape. He considers it. When Ben's working partner hears about this consideration, he becomes very angry. The thought that the top lawyer in the firm is considering making a serious dent in his finances by quitting, the idea doesn't go by him very well. From that point on, the book is an action packed adventure. This is one of those books that you can read over and over again and never grow tired of. I enjoyed how the book kept going from one problem to the next. I think that is what makes you keep reading.There are also two more books in this series. I can't wait to read them. If you have not read this book I highly encourage you to do so.