The Shannara Series by Terry Brooks
The Shannara Series is a collection of seven novels that weave together themes of magic, legacy, and heroism across generations in a fantastical world known as the Four Lands. The series begins with "The Sword of Shannara," where Shea Ohmsford, the last descendant of the Elf-king Shannara, embarks on a quest to find a legendary sword to combat the evil Skull Bearers, transformed Druids seeking power. Subsequent novels explore different characters and quests, such as Wil Ohmsford, who uses the Elfstones to protect an elf-girl, Amberle, from demons in "The Elfstones of Shannara," and Jair and Brin Ohmsford, siblings with the enchanting Wishsong, in "The Wishsong of Shannara."
As the series progresses, new characters join the narrative, including Par Ohmsford and Wren Ohmsford, who undertake significant journeys to restore balance to their world. The later novels delve into the complexities of power and responsibility, with Wren uncovering her true heritage and taking on the role of queen of the elves. The concluding book, "The Talismans of Shannara," ties together the threads of each character's journey as they confront the enduring evil in their realm. Overall, the Shannara Series intricately blends elements of classic fantasy with rich character development and moral dilemmas, appealing to readers who enjoy epic tales of magic and adventure.
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The Shannara Series
First published:The Sword of Shannara (1977), The Elfstones of Shannara (1982), The Wishsong of Shannara (1985), The Scions of Shannara (1990), The Druid of Shannara (1991), The Elf Queen of Shannara (1992), and The Talismans of Shannara (1993)
Type of work: Novels
Type of plot: Fantasy—medieval future
Time of work: Two thousand years after the Great Wars, in the future
Locale: Various locations on Earth, throughout the Four Lands
The Plot
The seven novels that make up the Shannara series involve the inheritance of magic by several generations of descendants of the Elf-king Shannara, who first used his magic to suppress an invasion by renegade, power-hungry Druids. These Druids belonged to a council established to preserve history, science, and other arts that were lost after the destruction of the world in what is known as the Great Wars.
In the first novel, The Sword of Shannara, the Druid Allanon summons the help of Shea Ohmsford in a search for the legendary sword that was first raised by Shannara. Shea finds out that he is the only surviving descendant of Shannara and that he is half elf. He and his stepbrother Flick journey to find the talisman and destroy the evil Skull Bearers, who are the metamorphosed renegade Druids who sought to destroy the Four Lands in previous centuries.
The peace that is restored in The Sword of Shannara is disrupted in the second novel, The Elfstones of Shannara. This novel takes the reader to another segment of the Four Lands, the Westlands, where elves live. Allanon once again summons the house of Shannara and Ohms-ford through the help of Wil Ohmsford. Wil alone has the power to control the Elfstones, three magic stones that emit power and light to destroy evil. His quest is to protect an elf-girl, called Amberle. Amberle is on a quest of her own, to create a new Ellcrys that will save the lands from the ravenous demons.
The Wishsong of Shannara involves an intricate form of inherited magic, magic with which an individual is born. Jair and Brin Ohmsford, brother and sister, have inherited the magic of the Wishsong. This magic enables them to weave spells and illusions with the power of song. Brin, whose powers give her the ability to transform objects, is called by Allanon on a quest to destroy the source of evil magic known as the Ildatch. Jair travels on a journey of his own, taking with him the Elfstones once owned by his father, Wil. He meets the King of the Silver River, who tells him of his importance in protecting Brin’s life from the evil that seeks to transform her.
With the fourth novel, The Scions of Shannara, come not only new characters but also a completion of the legacies of Shannara. This is the first book of the Heritage of Shannara, a subseries of the Shannara series. Allanon has gone to join the dead Druids in the Hadeshorn. His shade, or ghost, summons three individuals to help restore the Four Lands: Par Ohmsford (assisted by his brother Coll) to find the once-again lost Sword of Shannara, Walker Boh to re-establish the Druids and Paranor, and Wren Ohmsford to search for the lost elves. This novel marks the introduction of Cogline, a character similar to Allanon, although lacking in power. The quests of these characters are expanded in the last three books of the series.
In The Druid of Shannara, Walker Boh is sent to recover the black Elfstone in order to destroy the Shadowen and restore Paranor. He is led to the realm of the Stone King, accompanied by Quickening, daughter of the King of the Silver River, along with Morgan Leah and Pe Ell. The four journey to the remains of lost civilizations, where the Stone King guards his kingdom and turns everything to stone. Walker Boh and his companions defeat the king, and Quickening’s mission to restore the land’s fertility is accomplished upon her death.
The sixth novel, The Elf Queen of Shannara, shows Wren on her quest to find the elves of the Westlands, who have disappeared. She discovers that she, too, is an elf, and she travels with her companion Garth to an island far out in the Blue Divide, where elves have re-established their civilization. There, Wren also learns the scandal of the elves, of their responsibility for the evil that is terrorizing the Four Lands. She convinces the elves to return and, with her own magical powers, transports them to the Four Lands, where they can undo their mistake.
The final novel, The Talismans of Shannara, is a nice denouement to the Shannara series. Walker Boh restores Paranor and inherits the title and knowledge of the Druids. Wren has become the queen of the elves, and Par has found the Sword of Shannara. The Shadowen, with their leader Rimmer Dall, continue to work evil in the Four Lands. Knowing the weaknesses of Walker, Wren, and Par, Rimmer Dall sets traps to ensnare them into embracing the evil magic. The series ends with the three children of Shannara destroying Rimmer Dall and his wicked servants in his own realm.