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Overview
The beloved Shannara series by New York Times bestselling author Terry Brooks has been acclaimed as a towering achievement, an unquestioned masterpiece in fantasy literature. Now all the wonders of Shannara have been gathered into one indispensable volume in which Brooks shares candid views on his creation. This completely updated edition includes new entries on the High Druid of Shannara and Genesis of Shannara series, as well as the thrilling connection between Shannara and the Word and the Void trilogy. Illustrated throughout with full-color paintings and black-and-white drawings by award-winning artists David Cherry and Rob Alexander, this comprehensive guide ventures behind the scenes to explore the history, the people, the places, the major events, and, of course, the magic of one of the world’s greatest fantasy epics.What sets Terry Brooks apart? Is it a knack for creating unforgettable characters like Allanon the Druid, Shea Ohmsford, Tom Logan, and Angel Perez–men and women, gnomes and wizards, who come alive on the page? Is it the haunting and utterly believable evil of his darker creations: the foul Dagda Mor, the murderous Jachyra, the enigmatic Ilse Witch, the ruthless Druid Shadea a’Ru? Whatever the secret of Brooks’s storytelling magic, generations of readers have fallen under its spell.
Sure to tantalize faithful fans and newcomers alike, The World of Shannara is the ultimate gateway into the fantasy realm of Terry Brooks–and the perfect companion to take along on the journey of a lifetime.
Synopsis
The beloved Shannara series by New York Times bestselling author Terry Brooks has been acclaimed as a towering achievement, an unquestioned masterpiece in fantasy literature. Now all the wonders of Shannara have been gathered into one indispensable volume in which Brooks shares candid views on his creation. This completely updated edition includes new entries on the High Druid of Shannara and Genesis of Shannara series, as well as the thrilling connection between Shannara and the Word and the Void trilogy. Illustrated throughout with full-color paintings and black-and-white drawings by award-winning artists David Cherry and Rob Alexander, this comprehensive guide ventures behind the scenes to explore the history, the people, the places, the major events, and, of course, the magic of one of the world’s greatest fantasy epics.
What sets Terry Brooks apart? Is it a knack for creating unforgettable characters like Allanon the Druid, Shea Ohmsford, Tom Logan, and Angel Perez–men and women, gnomes and wizards, who come alive on the page? Is it the haunting and utterly believable evil of his darker creations: the foul Dagda Mor, the murderous Jachyra, the enigmatic Ilse Witch, the ruthless Druid Shadea a’Ru? Whatever the secret of Brooks’s storytelling magic, generations of readers have fallen under its spell.
Sure to tantalize faithful fans and newcomers alike, The World of Shannara is the ultimate gateway into the fantasy realm of Terry Brooks–and the perfect companion to take along on the journey of a lifetime.
Megan Isaac - VOYA
The detailed complexity of established fantasy worlds is among their most compelling and most limiting factors. Readers versed in the lore and legends of such worlds relish arcane historical tidbits and sprawling family trees. Newcomers, however, often find these worlds unfathomable. For this reason, this volume is likely to appeal only to loyal followers of Brooks's series, serving as a sort of encyclopedia to the historical, geographical, and magical culture of the Shannara novels. The fifteen chapters are organized primarily by region and give a brief overview of each of the Four Lands as well as discuss the various races that inhabit them and the chief cities or sites of each area. Inset boxes provide snapshot biographies of important persons, explanations of particularly potent magical items, and descriptions of unusual creatures. Frequent illustrations by David Cheny add color and visual appeal to the book. Although some fans will enjoy the detailed discussions of favorite characters or maps of important fortresses, others might regret that all of the new back stories and explanatory material are the work of Patterson, Brooks's chosen collaborator, rather than that of the author himself. Instead of investing in this volume, most libraries can best serve readers by making certain that plenty of copies of the original Shannara novels themselves are available. Illus. VOYA CODES: 3Q 2P S A/YA (Readable without serious defects; For the YA with a special interest in the subject; Senior High, defined as grades 10 to 12; Adult and Young Adult). 2001, Ballantine, 224p,
Editorials
VOYA
The detailed complexity of established fantasy worlds is among their most compelling and most limiting factors. Readers versed in the lore and legends of such worlds relish arcane historical tidbits and sprawling family trees. Newcomers, however, often find these worlds unfathomable. For this reason, this volume is likely to appeal only to loyal followers of Brooks's series, serving as a sort of encyclopedia to the historical, geographical, and magical culture of the Shannara novels. The fifteen chapters are organized primarily by region and give a brief overview of each of the Four Lands as well as discuss the various races that inhabit them and the chief cities or sites of each area. Inset boxes provide snapshot biographies of important persons, explanations of particularly potent magical items, and descriptions of unusual creatures. Frequent illustrations by David Cheny add color and visual appeal to the book. Although some fans will enjoy the detailed discussions of favorite characters or maps of important fortresses, others might regret that all of the new back stories and explanatory material are the work of Patterson, Brooks's chosen collaborator, rather than that of the author himself. Instead of investing in this volume, most libraries can best serve readers by making certain that plenty of copies of the original Shannara novels themselves are available. Illus. VOYA CODES: 3Q 2P S A/YA (Readable without serious defects; For the YA with a special interest in the subject; Senior High, defined as grades 10 to 12; Adult and Young Adult). 2001, Ballantine, 224p,— Megan Isaac