Summon the Magic of The Shannara Chronicles

As foundational as The Sword of Shannara is, for me and countless other fantasy readers, its sequel, The Elfstones of Shannara, is Brooks’ true opus. Widely regarded as his best novel, it also happens to be one of my favorite books of all time. What makes it so great? The characters, the companionship, the relentless assault of the demon army, a setting that is at once familiar and unsettling, and the bittersweet ending. It’s a novel that pulls together the best of what ’80s epic fantasy had to offer.
Thus it was with cautious optimism that I booted up the DVD containing the first four episodes of The Shannara Chronicles, MTV’s television adaptation of The Elfstones of Shannara, ahead of its premiere tonight. The trailers and cast interviews had me hopeful, but living up to Brooks’ novel, a modern classic beloved by countless fans, is a lofty goal, and my long-running fandom meant my expectations were sky-high. My fears were almost immediately put to rest: not only is The Shannara Chronicles a faithful and engaging adaptation, it’s an utterly addictive television show in its own right.
The cast is impressive. All of your favourites are here, and there’s a tremendous range of emotion and personality woven throughout their relationships. From Allanon’s gravelly voice and world-weary guidance, to Amberle’s anger and confusion, to Wil’s naivety and boyish charm, to Eretria’s fear of her father and cunning intelligence, these people (and elves) are unique and immediately recognizable. Poppy Drayton (Amberle Elessedil) and Ivana Baquero (Eretria) are particular standouts, bringing complex strength and vulnerability to very different characters. Much of the narrative hinges on those two women, and if the premiere is any indication, there’s great potential for on-screen fireworks between them.
After spending 20 years with these characters in my head, I was surprised by how comfortable I felt seeing them on screen. Are they exactly as I’d envisioned them? No. But the changes almost always work. The most striking is Ander’s move from reclusive bookworm, wiling away in the shadow of his father Eventine and brother Arion,  to a fun-loving, partier who never seems to take anything seriously. It’s a little jarring at first, but, after a time, I realized that the shift allowed for the generally stoic Elven race to show a bit more personality. It highlights the show’s greatest strength: an ability to tell a modern story without sacrificing what made the 30-year-old novel so great.
Every change makes sense, and draws inspiration from elsewhere in the Shannara universe. One of the new characters is a troubled Seer, calling on the groundwork Brooks laid in The Voyage of the Jerle Shannara with Ryer Ord Star. The Dagda Mor has new origins, which will be immediately familiar to fans of The First King of Shannara. All this illustrates the tremendous love and respect the showrunners have for Brooks’ work, which makes it easy to overlook the appeal to the Gossip Girl set. Especially during the premiere, when Amberle is introduced and you meet her boyfriend, there’s a sexiness that isn’t in Brooks’ novel, but The Elfstones of Shannara is absolutely a story that works best for teenage or adolescent readers, so MTV’s take is tonally appropriate, and feels like a modern revival rather than something that’s been unnecessarily altered.

The visuals will also pull you in immediately. The world of The Shannara Chronicles could at first be mistaken for a traditional secondary fantasy setting, but, from hollowed-out skyscrapers, to collapsed overpasses, to orcs that arm themselves with the detritus of the twenty-first century, the ghost of our world is everywhere, rendered in convincing post-apocalyptic detail. It’s not only visually stunning, but helps to separate Brooks’ world from the millions of Lord of the Rings-inspired fantasy worlds that readers and movie-goers have grown accustomed to over the years.
The Shannara Chronicles is the show fans have clamoring for, and despite all odds, it delivers on its promises. Whether you’re new to the Four Lands or a long-entrenched fan, you’re sure to fall in love with this buoyant, modern take on a fantasy classic. It’s epic, frantically paced, sexy without being gratuitous, and perfect for those who find Game of Thrones too violent and exploitative. And with over 25 novels to draw from, the series has the potential to be one of television’s all-time greatest epics.
Delve deeper into The Elfstones of Shannara with Aidan with Rereading Shannara on Tor.com.  He’s also the author of “How Terry Brooks Saved Epic Fantasy,” an essay exploring the origins and impact of Brooks’ debut novel, The Sword of Shannara.