The Sword of Shannara Books in Chronological Order – Complete Guide

The Sword of Shannara Books in Chronological Order mark the beginning of one of fantasy literature’s longest-running and most influential sagas. First published in 1977, Terry Brooks’ Shannara series laid the groundwork for generations of readers hungry for epic quests, ancient magic, and multigenerational legends.

Spanning decades in the world of the Four Lands, the original trilogy—The Sword of Shannara, The Elfstones of Shannara, and The Wishsong of Shannara—set the tone for everything that followed. With Druids, demons, elven princesses, and destiny-bound heroes, this is foundational high fantasy in its purest form.

Each book is available in Kindle, mass market paperback, hardcover, and audiobook formats. Whether you’re rediscovering a classic or diving in for the first time, this guide will help you explore the trilogy in the best possible sequence.

The Sword of Shannara Books at a Glance

Title	Amazon Link
The Sword of Shannara	Buy On Amazon
The Elfstones of Shannara	Buy On Amazon
The Wishsong of Shannara	Buy On Amazon

Trilogy – The Sword of Shannara Books in Chronological Order

1. The Sword of Shannara (1977)

Pages: 726 | Amazon Rating: ★★★★☆ (4.4) | Goodreads: ★★★☆☆ (3.8)

In the peaceful village of Shady Vale, Shea Ohmsford learns he is the last descendant of an ancient Elven king—and the only one who can wield the mystical Sword of Shannara. When the Warlock Lord rises again, threatening all life in the Four Lands, Shea must team up with the powerful Druid Allanon and a band of brave companions to stop him.

If this sounds familiar, it’s because Brooks drew heavily from Tolkien’s influence—yet carved out a voice all his own. A perfect starting point for fantasy traditionalists and new readers alike.

“The truth is, that in the end, life is all about choices. And your choice now is to fight.”

2. The Elfstones of Shannara (1982)

Pages: 576 | Amazon Rating: ★★★★★ (4.6) | Goodreads: ★★★★☆ (4.0)

Thousands of years after Shea’s journey, his grandson Wil Ohmsford faces a new threat—demons are escaping from the Forbidding, a magical prison that once held them at bay. Guided by the enigmatic Allanon, Wil must protect Amberle, an Elven princess tasked with restoring the Ellcrys tree that sustains the barrier between worlds.

With high emotional stakes, battle sequences, and a memorable romance, Elfstones is widely considered the best entry in the trilogy—and it served as the basis for MTV’s 2016 TV adaptation The Shannara Chronicles.

3. The Wishsong of Shannara (1985)

Pages: 512 | Amazon Rating: ★★★★★ (4.6) | Goodreads: ★★★★☆ (4.0)

Brin and Jair, the children of Wil Ohmsford, inherit the strange magical abilities of the wishsong. When a new evil arises in the form of the Ildatch, a sentient book of dark magic, Brin is called to destroy it—at great personal cost.

Darker and more psychological, this final volume adds weight to the legacy of the Ohmsford bloodline. Themes of temptation, sacrifice, and courage permeate the narrative as Brooks closes out the trilogy with a haunting and heartfelt finale.

Companion Works

While the original trilogy stands alone, the Shannara universe includes prequels, side arcs, and continuations. Notable companion series include:

• The Heritage of Shannara (follows Wishsong)
• First King of Shannara (prequel to Sword)
• The Voyage of the Jerle Shannara
• The High Druid of Shannara
• The Genesis of Shannara (ties Shannara to Brooks’ Word & Void series)

Shannara Novels in Chronological Order (In-Universe Timeline)

This list follows the timeline of the world of Shannara, beginning with present-day Earth (Word & Void) and moving through the post-apocalyptic and fantasy eras.

1. Word & Void Trilogy

Set in present-day Illinois, these books serve as the mythic foundation of the Shannara world.

• Running with the Demon (1997)
• A Knight of the Word (1998)
• Angel Fire East (1999)

2. The Genesis of Shannara

Bridges modern-day Earth and the rise of magic and the Four Lands.

• Armageddon’s Children (2006)
• The Elves of Cintra (2007)
• The Gypsy Morph (2008)

3. Legends of Shannara

Takes place after the collapse of civilization.

• Bearers of the Black Staff (2010)
• The Measure of the Magic (2011)

4. First King of Shannara

A direct prequel to the Original Trilogy.

• First King of Shannara (1996)

5. Original Shannara Trilogy

The foundational arc of the Ohmsford family.

• The Sword of Shannara (1977)
• The Elfstones of Shannara (1982)
• The Wishsong of Shannara (1985)

6. Paladins of Shannara (Short Stories)

Standalone eBook prequels expanding key characters.

• Allanon’s Quest (2012)
• The Weapon Master’s Choice (2013)
• The Black Irix (2013)

7. The Heritage of Shannara

Set 300 years after The Wishsong of Shannara.

• The Scions of Shannara (1990)
• The Druid of Shannara (1991)
• The Elf Queen of Shannara (1992)
• The Talismans of Shannara (1993)

8. The Voyage of the Jerle Shannara

Set 130 years after The Heritage series.

• Ilse Witch (2000)
• Antrax (2001)
• Morgawr (2002)

9. High Druid of Shannara

Takes place 20 years after Voyage.

• Jarka Ruus (2003)
• Tanequil (2004)
• Straken (2005)

10. The Dark Legacy of Shannara

Set 100–120 years later.

• Wards of Faerie (2012)
• Bloodfire Quest (2013)
• Witch Wraith (2013)

11. The Defenders of Shannara

Loosely connected standalones, 100 years later.

• The High Druid’s Blade (2014)
• The Darkling Child (2015)
• The Sorcerer’s Daughter (2016)

12. The Fall of Shannara

The final arc of the Shannara timeline, set 200 years after Defenders.

• The Black Elfstone (2017)
• The Skaar Invasion (2018)
• The Stiehl Assassin (2019)
• The Last Druid (2020)

13. The First Druids of Shannara (Upcoming)

• Galaphile (2025)

Shannara Novels in Publication Order

This list tracks the order Terry Brooks released his novels, including prequels and bridging series.

Original Shannara Trilogy

• The Sword of Shannara (1977)
• The Elfstones of Shannara (1982)
• The Wishsong of Shannara (1985)

Related Works

• The Guide to Shannara (1986)
• Imaginary Friends (1991, reprinted 2013)
• Indomitable (short story in Legends II, 2003)

Heritage of Shannara

• The Scions of Shannara (1990)
• The Druid of Shannara (1991)
• The Elf Queen of Shannara (1992)
• The Talismans of Shannara (1993)

Prequel

• First King of Shannara (1996)

Word & Void Trilogy

• Running with the Demon (1997)
• A Knight of the Word (1998)
• Angel Fire East (1999)

The Voyage of the Jerle Shannara

• Ilse Witch (2000)
• Antrax (2001)
• Morgawr (2002)

High Druid of Shannara

• Jarka Ruus (2003)
• Tanequil (2004)
• Straken (2005)

The Genesis of Shannara

• Armageddon’s Children (2006)
• The Elves of Cintra (2007)
• The Gypsy Morph (2008)

Legends of Shannara

• Bearers of the Black Staff (2010)
• The Measure of the Magic (2011)

Paladins of Shannara (Short Stories)

• Allanon’s Quest (2012)
• The Weapon Master’s Choice (2013)
• The Black Irix (2013)

The Dark Legacy of Shannara

• Wards of Faerie (2012)
• Bloodfire Quest (2013)
• Witch Wraith (2013)

The Defenders of Shannara

• The High Druid’s Blade (2014)
• The Darkling Child (2015)
• The Sorcerer’s Daughter (2016)

The Fall of Shannara

• The Black Elfstone (2017)
• The Skaar Invasion (2018)
• The Stiehl Assassin (2019)
• The Last Druid (2020)

Other Notable Works

• The World of Shannara (2001 / Rev. 2009)
• Dark Wraith of Shannara (Graphic Novel, 2008)
• Walker and the Shade of Allanon (2013, in Unfettered)
• Small Magic: Short Fiction, 1977–2020 (2021)

Editions & Formats

Whether you’re building a collection or just want a lightweight read, here’s how each format compares:

Why Read in This Order?

Reading the Sword of Shannara Books in Chronological Order lets you follow the Ohmsford legacy and the rise and fall of great evils in the Four Lands. Each book centers on a new generation—but reading in order ensures:

• Stronger emotional resonance
• Clearer plot progression
• Deeper understanding of Allanon’s role as mythic guide

Plus, each successive book refines Brooks’ style—from Tolkien homage to something distinctly his own.

Author Spotlight: Terry Brooks

Terry Brooks is one of the most prolific fantasy authors of all time. Born in 1944, he studied law before launching his writing career with The Sword of Shannara in 1977—one of the first fantasy novels to become a New York Times bestseller.

Brooks has written over 30 Shannara novels across multiple timelines, as well as the Landover series and Word & Void trilogy. His work has shaped the modern fantasy landscape, and his clear prose and archetypal characters continue to attract new generations of readers.

“It is not the destination but the journey that matters, especially the path we choose to take.”

Media Adaptations

The Shannara Chronicles

• Aired 2016–2017 (2 seasons)
• Based primarily on The Elfstones of Shannara
• Starred Austin Butler, Manu Bennett, Ivana Baquero
• Mixed reviews but brought renewed attention to the books

Audiobooks

• High-quality narrations of the original trilogy and later arcs
• Available on Audible and OverDrive

Graphic Novels & Adaptations

• Select volumes released in illustrated editions

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