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Book Three of this intriguing series hits mass market just in time for the hardcover debut of Book Four, The Talismans of Shannara. Commanded by the shade of Allanon, the Elf-girl Wren Ohmsford must undertake a nearly impossible quest: find the lost Elves and lead them safely through the demon-haunted jungles of Morrorindl--and back to the land of men.
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.
Visit us online at www.shannara.com.
The most rewarding aspect to writing for Brooks is “when someone who never read a book reads [one of mine] and says that the experience changed everything and got them reading.” Because of his very engaging, quick-flowing writing style, countless numbers of young people have been introduced to the wonderful world of reading through Brooks’s adventures. The miraculous thing, however, is that these same fans – whether they’re now 20, 30, or 40 years old – still devour each new release like a starving man would a steak dinner. Credit Brooks’s boundless imagination, endearing characters, fresh storylines and underlying complexities for keeping his older, more discerning audience hooked.
Brooks began writing when he was just ten years old, but he did not discover fantasy until much later. As a high school student he jumped from writing science fiction to westerns to adventure to nonfiction, unable to settle on one form. That changed when, at the age of 21, Brooks was introduced to J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings. Tolkien provided Brooks with a forum “that would allow him to release onto paper his own ideas about life, love, and the wonder that fills his world," according to his web site.
In 1977, after six trying years, Brooks published novel his first novel, The Sword of Shannara. And quickly it gave him – and his publisher (the newly created Ballantine imprint, Del Rey) – quite a thrill; the fantasy adventure featuring the young Halfling, Shea Ohmsford; the mysterious wizard Allanon; Flick, the trusty companion; and the demonic Warlock Lord, was not only well received -- it was a smash, spending over five months on The New York Times bestseller list. In 1982 Brooks released the follow-up, The Elfstones of Shannara (which Brooks says may be his favorite), to equal success. He closed out the initial trilogy in 1985 with The Wishsong of Shannara, and has since completed two more Shannara sets, The Heritage of Shannara books and the Voyage of the Jerle Shannara books.
As fans of Brooks know, the man doesn’t like to stay put. “I lived in Illinois for the first 42 years of my life, and I told myself when I left in 1986 that I would never live any one place again,” Brooks said. He now spends his time between his homes in Seattle and Hawaii; he and his wife also spend a great deal of time on the road each year connecting with the fans. These same nomadic tendencies are also apparent in his writing. Instead of staying comfortably within his proven, bestselling Shannara series, Terry frequently takes chances, steps outside, and tries something new. His marvelous Landover and Word & Void series are the results. While both are vastly different from Shannara, they are equally compelling. Word & Void – a contemporary, dark urban fantasy series set in a fantasy-touched Illinois – is quite possibly Brooks’s most acclaimed series. The Rocky Mountain News called the series’ first two books (Running with the Demon and The Knight of the Word “two of the finest science fiction/fantasy novels of the 20th century.”
The Sword of Shannara was also the first work of fiction to ever hit The New York Times trade paperback bestseller list. Thanks to a faithful and growing fan base, the books continue to reach the list.
Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace was not Terry's first novelization. He also novelized Steven Spielberg's 1991 movie, Hook.
Brooks’s The Phantom Menace novelization is also not his only connection to George Lucas. Both The Sword of Shannara and the original Star Wars novel, A New Hope, were edited by Judy Lynn del Rey and published in the same year (1977) to blockbuster success.
The Sword of Shannara was initially turned down by DAW Books. Instead, DAW sent Terry to Lester del Rey, who recognized Terry’s blockbuster potential and bought it. And the rest, they say, is history.
Brooks’s influences include: J.R.R. Tolkien, Alexander Dumas, James Fenimore Cooper, Sir Walter Scott, Robert Louis Stevenson, Edgar Rice Burroughs, and Mallory's Morte d'Arthur.
Anonymous
Posted March 27, 2012
Brook's just keeps getting better
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Posted February 27, 2008
This novel is just beautiful! It is suspensful, well written, and has many plot twists about young Wren Elessedil and her journey to restore the Elves to the Four lands. The ending really was a heart twister. The way Garth asked her to kill him because he didn't trust himself...I broke down just like Wren. I also really loved Galivan, though he was her cousin, but he just snapped, causing me to hate him, which I hated. There is just so much to write about this book! My grammar and syntax is getting jumbled together just thinking about it! If you are debating on to whether or not to read this series, I'd say go for it. Terry Brooks is an amazaing writer! I am looking forward to his future books! I also really loved the plot of this book! Stresa the Splinterscat was really interesting to me! I became attached when he first appeared. I thought this was going to be the most boring book of the four, but was I wrong! I loved them all equally, though the first book would have to be my least favorite if I was forced to pick! This is an awesome series! I cannot say that enough!
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Posted July 23, 2004
This book was good, but I prefer The Talisman's of Shannara. But it was still great!
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Posted May 26, 2004
I loved it. All I can say. No wait, Morowindl (the elves' island) reminds me of Jurassic Park for some reason. Anwyas, I think the Shannara books get better and better each time they come out. Obviously for now, this is my fav. book. Probably in three weeks it wil be Talisman of Shannara. Anyways, I loved the details+descriptions and I adored the ending. Overall rating: 94/100
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Posted June 23, 2004
I had read the Sword of SHannara original trilogy and loved it and had started the Heritage Trilogy but had never got to finishing it. After reading ELF QUEEN... I got hooked again and couldn't remember why and how I stopped! I love these books! Something about them just makes you fall in love with each and every character and want to see what happens next...You never know how it's going to end up and the chapters all leave you hanging, wanting more!....THIS IS A MUST-READ!!!!!
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Posted March 11, 2004
This book is one of the best in the Shannara series! So far, this is my favorite for exilent detail, and descriptions of the charactors. Wren is my most favorite of all! Not only that she is an elf, but she has lots of courage, and a great personallity! She is the best!!!
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Posted March 11, 2004
This is one of the greatest books by Terry. I loved it! I cried at the end, not knowing why. I love the demons are described! This book is a must read!
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Posted September 14, 2003
the heritage series isnt as good as the original shannara series. its kind of... bland. i LOVE the whole idea of the elves though! elves are the best race! but i found myself dragging to read this. it just didnt have a kick like the original series did. it still entertained me though. i loved the ending ^_^
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Posted February 2, 2003
One word basically sums this baby up: WOW! Diffenantly a must read, and really attaches you to the characters even deeper. I cried my eyes out near the end! Not telling why, but you HAVE to read this book. I mean, it has the potential of being a great movie!
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Posted November 7, 2000
The first two books of this series were good, but nothing compared to the previous Shannara series. This is the only book in the Heritage of Shannara that lives up to what you would expect from Terry Brooks.
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Posted August 20, 2000
This book was enchanting! Terry Brooks has done it again. Of all the books I have ever read by Brooks, he has never delivered anything less than an incredible and compelling novel.
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Posted July 21, 2000
I first read this book and loved it. If you are a person who loves to sit down and read a great fantasy book, read this. If you like J.R.R Tolkien you'll love this. Another fantastic book by Terry Brooks. You'll love it.
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Posted June 14, 2009
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Posted April 23, 2011
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Overview
It was clearly an impossible task. The Elves had been gone from the Westland for more than a hundred years. There was not even a trace of their former city of Arborlon left to mark their passing. No one in the Esterland knew of them -- except, finally, the Addershag.
The blind old woman had given instructions to find a place on the coast of ...