Galaphile

The First Druids of Shannara

By: Terry Brooks

Narrated by: Will Damron

New York Times bestselling author Terry Brooks makes his triumphant return to the world of Shannara, delving deep into the origin story of the druid order and its enigmatic creator that will change the face of the Four Lands forever.

One of the most iconic structures in the Four Lands is Paranor, the fortress home of the Druid Order. Legend holds that it was erected by an Elven leader known as Galaphile Joss. But who was this Galaphile, and how and why did he choose to establish this center of magic and learning?

Within this book we meet the real Galaphile, following him from a friendless teenage orphan stranded in the Human world to a powerful adult and master mage, studying under the infamous recluse, Cogline. We learn of the forces that shaped him—those he loved, and those he lost; those who aided him, and those who stood against him.

Throughout it all, Galaphile’s goal is a noble one: to bring order to a chaotic world, and to make life better for those trying to survive it. To this end, he commences building the citadel which will one day be known as Paranor with the aid of the King of the Silver River. But there is one other who seeks dominion over the Four Lands—and for far less virtuous ends.

For this foe has been corrupted by an ancient evil—one that will not only reach out and touch Galaphile’s nearest and dearest, but also echo down through the centuries, sowing the seeds for some of the darkest times the Four Lands will ever face.

©2024 Terry Brooks (P)2024 Random House Audio

Great Addition!

Great addition to the already amazing story! Wonderful twists and turns and much needed background to some good characters.

Added so much to the story.

I really wish it didn’t take so long for the next book to come out.

hints of things to cone

the Gillian seemed very simple not worthy of such aplome. I thought we would be farther along on the finishing of the tower

In the beginning…

As a long time follower of the Shannara stories I was instantly drawn into this story. Familiar places and objects were like old friends. I look forward to the next origin tale.

Complete beginning

long overdue and very unexpected. Hope to have more books written because the world has truly missed a good story. The world needs the escape

Not “my Brooks” book

In the middle of this book I read about Mr. Brooks retirement from writing and passing the torch. I think this was the start. I literally have been reading since day one and this is not the Terry Brooks of old. I commend his wanting to retire at the top and I think he missed it here. This will be my last Shannara I think😢. Thank you Terry for almost 50 years of fun reading.

I really, really want to like this, and I’m struggling to

I’ve read and own pretty much everything Terry Brooks has written. For whatever reason, and I assume there one, the quality of the dialogue, the simplicity of plot points, the over reliance on exposition… his stories can be formulaic, but they have always been well told and well written, and this one just comes off feeling more like the dialogue/story from a video game that is more designed to move from stage to stage rather than standing on its own. It just lacks the dimension that is normal for Brooks.

So much so that it leaves me wondering if everything is OK with him. I hope so. He’s still a favorite and I’ll still check out the next one, but… with less enthusiasm, unfortunately.