Order of Terry Brooks Books

Terry Brooks is an American author of epic fantasy and urban fantasy. He is best known for his Shannara series. Besides his Shannara-related books, Brooks has written one other series called the Magic Kingdom of Landover. He has also written a couple of novelizations for major motion pictures – Hook and Star Wars Episode I: Phantom Menace.

Brooks had his debut novel published in 1977 – The Sword of Shannara. Ever since then, the majority of his work has been contributions to the Shannara series, including sequels and prequels. It should be noted that while not all of his novels were published in their chronological order, Brooks strongly recommends not to read his books in chronological order (at least the first time around) and that the recommended reading order is the order in which the novels were published.

Publication Order of Original Shannara Books

The Sword of Shannara	(1977)
The Elfstones of Shannara	(1982)
The Wishsong of Shannara	(1985)
First King of Shannara	(1996)
Indomitable	(2003)
The chronological order of the Shannara series is: Word & Void, Genesis, Legends, Original Shannara (aka Sword of Shannara), Heritage, Voyage, High Druid, Dark Legacy, Defenders, and Fall. However, it must be noted that this is not the recommended reading order and reading the books in chronological order will spoil the series.So read Original Shannara series, then Heritage etc following the list below.

Chronological Order of Original Shannara Books

First King of Shannara	(1996)
The Sword of Shannara	(1977)
The Elfstones of Shannara	(1982)
The Wishsong of Shannara	(1985)
Indomitable	(2003)

Publication Order of Heritage Of Shannara Books

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

Publication Order of Word & Void Books

Running with the Demon	(1997)
A Knight of the Word	(1998)
Angel Fire East	(1999)
Imaginary Friends	(2011)

Publication Order of Voyage Of The Jerl Shannara Books

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

Publication Order of High Druid Of Shannara Books

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

Publication Order of Genesis Of Shannara Books

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

Publication Order of Legends Of Shannara Books

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

Publication Order of Dark Legacy Of Shannara Books

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

Publication Order of Paladins Of Shannara Books

Allanon's Quest	(2012)
The Weapons Master's Choice	(2013)
The Black Irix	(2013)

Publication Order of Defenders Of Shannara Books

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

Publication Order of Fall Of Shannara Books

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

Publication Order of Shannara Graphic Novels

Dark Wraith of Shannara

(2008)

Publication Order of Magic Kingdom Of Landover Books

Magic Kingdom for Sale—Sold!	(1986)
The Black Unicorn	(1987)
Wizard at Large	(1988)
The Tangle Box	(1994)
Witches' Brew	(1995)
A Princess of Landover	(2009)

Publication Order of Standalone Novels

Revelation	(1987)
Hook	(1991)
Street Freaks	(2018)
Child of Light	(2021)

Publication Order of Short Story Collections

Small Magic

(2021)

Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books

Myths & Magic	(1999)
Sometimes the Magic Works	(2003)

Publication Order of Star Wars: Novelizations Books

(with Alan Dean Foster, Matthew Woodring Stover)

A New Hope (By: Alan Dean Foster)	(1976)
The Phantom Menace	(1999)
Revenge of the Sith (By: Matthew Woodring Stover)	(2005)
The Force Awakens (By: Alan Dean Foster)	(2015)

Publication Order of Unfettered Books

Unfettered II: New Tales By Masters of Fantasy (With: Jim Butcher,Brandon Sanderson,Charlaine Harris,Naomi Novik,David Farland,Rachel Caine,Seanan McGuire,Scott Sigler,,Bradley P. Beaulieu,Michael J. Sullivan,Django Wexler,,Shawn Speakman,MarkLawrence,Anthony Ryan,Sarah Beth Durst)	(2016)
Unfettered III: New Tales By Masters of Fantasy (With: Megan Lindholm,Carrie Vaughn,Tad Williams,Brandon Sanderson,Brian Herbert,Robert Jordan,,Naomi Novik,Kevin J. Anderson,Delilah S. Dawson,Seanan McGuire,Scott Sigler,,,Lev Grossman,,Shawn Speakman,John Gwynne,,MarkLawrence,,,Anna Smith Spark,Katherine Arden)	(2019)

Publication Order of Anthologies

Once Upon a Time	(1991)
Unbound: Tales By Masters of Fantasy	(2016)
Deep Magic - Spring 2021	(2021)

Note: For a complete list of Star Wars novels, please see Star Wars.

If You Like Terry Brooks Books, You’ll Love…

• Robert Jordan
• Terry Goodkind
• Robin Hobb

3 Responses to “Order of Terry Brooks Books”

1. Shelly Ann LPN(ret): 6 years ago

   “However, it must be noted that this is not the recommended reading order and reading the books in chronological order will spoil the series.”

   I originally read the books as they came out, then I found a list putting into the chronology of the story and found that the story flowed better and it was easier to understand the characters and their lineage.

   Personally I would recommend that they be read in the chronology of the story, but reading them in publication order is alright as well. If this was still in the 70’s I would say read them as they came out first. If you collect them for your library, then put them into a chronological order and re-read them.

   Now I am looking for them in audiobook format, CD, so I can listen to them while I am travelling. Seldom listen to the radio any more, what is currently presented is just not to my tastes in music.

   Thank you for providing these lists, it helps when trying to put books in order to read them.

   Have A Beautiful and Wondrous Day.

   //es// A Proud Honorable Disabled American Veteran, 1967-1994 – Combat Medicine.

   Reply

   • Not1knowsme: 5 years ago

     @desertfox1a:disqus

     First Thank You for your service to our country. I am former US Navy (early 80s).

     Would you please explain how you determined the order the books should be listened to in audiobook format? I’m slowly collecting them on Audible and Tantor and sometimes I’ll find them in CD on eBay and Half.com as well. I listen as I sew (I make quilts for returning veterans) and I don’t want to listen to them out of order and spoil the story. Is the list here the best way to listen as well as read?

     I fell in love with the series when I read Sword of Shannara (pub 1977) and the two books after it, then work, and other things caused me to lose track of the series. But I’ve never forgotten how much I loved them.

     Thanks for any advice you can give. I’m disabled and have chronic pain, quilting by hand and my books helps me not have to rely on medication as much.

     Reply

     • Shelly Ann LPN(ret): 5 years ago

       Ila; sorry that I have not replied to you on this subject. A short regression hore for a few seconds. I served starting with the USNSCC 1965, leaving them as a Midshipman in 1970, joined the US Navy in 1970, leaving them in 1978 as an HM2c(FMF)/USN, (old style). I joined the ORARNG as a Spec 4 Basic Field Medic in late 1979 after getting settled in and started college. Transfered to USAR as a Spec-4 in a Combat Support Hospital, late became the NCOIC of the Pharmacy Section in a M.A.S.H. unit. In 1991 I was activated to active duty Army and send to Suadi Arabia for Op Desert Shield/Storm I had by then been converted to a hard stripe Sergeant and was told that I would get my E-6 rocker after or during the deployment. Was supposed to go to an active duty Army M.A.S.H. unit, but I traveled with a Wisconsin National Guard Evac Hospital and they would not release me to the unit I was ordered to. After the 1st Gulf War, I stuck the reserves out until I became frustrated with not getting promoted and called it quits in 1994.

       As for the order of the 30(?) some books in the Shannara series, here are some shots at the orders of the books starting with.

       The sub-series in chronological order are:
       Word & Void
       Genesis of Shannara
       Legends of Shannara
       Paladins of Shannara
       The Original Shannara Trilogy
       Heritage of Shannara
       Voyage of the Jerle Shannara
       High Druid of Shannara
       The Dark Legacy of Shannara
       The Defenders of Shannara

       This is found at Goodreads at https://www.goodreads.com/series/43574-shannara, Goodreads has a listing of the books in order as written, then there is this site which is the best one for putting series in story chronology; http://www.orderofbooks.com/.
       Select the all authors listing that will appear down the right side of the screen, the select #41 which will take you to that portion of the list were Terry Brooks is found. You read my original posting on the order of books a while back, I have completed the series now and do recommend reading them in the chronology of the story as it gives a better flow to the story and helps you under stand the characters and their orgins better as well.
       I understand the deal about chronic pain. I came home from the ME rather sick after being exposed to everything that we were exposed to overthere. From NBC Agents to Environmental Contaminants, unfortunately, after almost 20 years I am now having to fight the VA for my pain medications, because of this most recent drug scare concerning narcotics. I was placed on methadon back in 1998 everyday with fairly decent results. I am currently on oxycodone as my if you need it meds. The issue is, pardon my language, I hav e been pissing in the bottle for recreational drug use for over 10 years, I have come up clean everytime. Because I now refuse to pee in the bottle anymore they are withholding my pain medications. You are familiar with the pain scale of 0 – 10 with 10 the most extreme. While on my medications I lived everyday with a pain level of 4-6/10, I have been out of my meds now for 13 days, with only few oxycodone to last me until this issue is settled.
       Sorry about that about my pain issues, verifing the addresses for those listing sites, I discovered that I have three new books to get caught up on. Enjoy the books and those listing sites will list other series as well, I am rather fixed on reading books in order.
       Thank you for your service, I am sorry for you pain issues, but I understand chronic pain issues.
       Have A Beautiful and Wondrous Day, Be Safe In Your Travels and Adventures
       //es// Shelly Ann LPN (ret)
       A Proud Honorable Disabled American Veteran 1965-1994 – Combat Medicine and Pharmacy

       Reply