by Terry Brooks
First published 2010
Sider Ament carries the black staff as the last Knight of the Word protecting a hidden valley. For five centuries, magic has shielded the survivors who fled the demon war that nearly destroyed humanity. The boy called Hawk led them to this refuge long ago. Now the protective barrier has disappeared without warning. Sider discovers hostile creatures prowling the exposed valley. Trackers from Glensk Wood village find two companions murdered in brutal fashion. The sanctuary that sheltered generations lies open to attack. Sider joins forces with young Trackers and an Elf princess to warn the scattered communities. Their own people meet them with distrust and anger instead of cooperation. Outside the broken borders, Troll armies gather for assault. Sider must locate someone capable of wielding the black staff after him. The valley faces destruction from enemies pressing inward and suspicion tearing apart defenses from within.
Genres: adventure, fantasy, dark-fantasy, epic-fantasy
Vibes: atmospheric, emotional, suspenseful
Tropes: chosen-one, found-family
Setting: Glensk Wood, Shannara
Period: Post-Apocalyptic
353 pages · Hardcover · Del Rey