Cover: Allanon’s Quest by Terry Brooks

Fantasy is filled with quests. First published in 1977, The Sword of Shannara by Terry Brooks is one such fantastic novel. This year marks the 35th anniversary of The Sword of Shannara. To celebrate, Del Rey Books and Terry Brooks are publishing The Annotated Sword of Shannara, a book that features inside commentary about the book, how it came to be, its characters, and why it has endured for so long as a foundational book in the genre. But it's not the only item that will see publication this year. Terry has also written Wards of Faerie, a first book in a new trilogy! Then there is a short story—a story fans have been asking after for 35 years! Paladins of Shannara: Allanon's Quest is a brand new, 10,000 word ebook short story by Terry Brooks. It is a prequel of sorts, featuring Terry's most enigmatic figure, the Druid Allanon. Here is a bit more about Allanon's Quest:

On Sale: July 09, 2012 Pages: 34 | ISBN: 978-0-345-53680-8 Published by : Del Rey The legendary hero Allanon takes center stage in the first of three gripping new stand-alone eBook short stories set in the world of the fantasy fiction phenomenon that is Shannara—by beloved New York Times bestselling author Terry Brooks. The history is thus: The once-Druid Brona, seduced by his pursuit of dark magic, was forever transformed into the Warlock Lord—whose evil would be the downfall of the Four Lands and the death of the Races. Against him, the Elven King Jerle Shannara wielded the fabled sword that bore his surname and triumphed. Or so it was believed. But though the Dark Lord was driven out . . . he was not destroyed. The Druid Allanon knows only too well the prophecy passed down to him by his late master: that eventually the Warlock Lord will return. Now, after hundreds of years, that day seems imminent. And the time is at hand for the Sword of Shannara to once more be brought forth from its sanctuary to serve its ancient purpose. All that remains is for a blood descendent of the Elven house of Shannara to carry the blade into battle. With ever more portents of doom on the horizon, Allanon must seek out the last remaining Shannara heir, who alone will bear the burden of defending the Four Lands’ destiny. But with agents of darkness closing in from behind, unexpected enemies lying in wait ahead, and treachery encroaching on every side, there can be no certainty of success. Nor any assurance that this desperate quest will not be the Druid’s last.

I've read the short story and, as a Terry Brooks fan, I loved it. It features an Allanon that is only hinted at in The Sword of Shannara—sure, a man strong in character, but one filled with doubts. Fans get an inside point of view look at the last Druid and learn more about the events leading up to the greatest power struggle in the Four Lands. To view which ebook retailers will be carrying Allanon's Quest, click HERE! And if you don't have an ereader like the Kindle or Nook, we'll be posting instructions on how you can read the short story on its release day! Allanon's Quest will be available July 9th!