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Return to the world of Shannara with the sequel to Galaphile, and discover how the seeds of the greatest evil that the Four Lands has ever known inadvertently grew out of Galaphileʼs dream for peace—from the New York Times bestselling authors Terry Brooks and Delilah S. Dawson.
Years have passed since Galaphile Joss and his life partner, Nirianne, established Paranor as a way to bring harmony to the Four Lands. Now their two sons are becoming men in a land of peace and plenty. Admittedly, it is a land that their eldest child, Abronja, finds rather boring. At sixteen, he longs for a way to prove himself—a chance to show he is every bit the equal of his famous father. But when the excitement he has been longing for materializes, it is in the form of an old evil: a dark sorcerer whom his father had defeated but not destroyed. And who is now back, stronger and deadlier than ever.
Galaphile has always dreaded this wicked resurgence—and not just because of what it means for the wider world. Abronja was conceived while the dark sorcerer had control of Nirianne, and Galaphile has always feared that a spark of malevolence lives on in his beloved child.
Abronja, for his part, is certain he will never be corrupted by evil. He is fully committed to his fatherʼs vision for peace and is determined to make his name by finally destroying the monster that has targeted his family. But tangling with dark magic is not a thing to be taken lightly—especially for a young man as yet untested in the ways of the world. And when the repercussions of this encounter could have consequences for centuries to come . . .
Years have passed since Galaphile Joss and his life partner, Nirianne, established Paranor as a way to bring harmony to the Four Lands. Now their two sons are becoming men in a land of peace and plenty. Admittedly, it is a land that their eldest child, Abronja, finds rather boring. At sixteen, he longs for a way to prove himself—a chance to show he is every bit the equal of his famous father. But when the excitement he has been longing for materializes, it is in the form of an old evil: a dark sorcerer whom his father had defeated but not destroyed. And who is now back, stronger and deadlier than ever.
Galaphile has always dreaded this wicked resurgence—and not just because of what it means for the wider world. Abronja was conceived while the dark sorcerer had control of Nirianne, and Galaphile has always feared that a spark of malevolence lives on in his beloved child.
Abronja, for his part, is certain he will never be corrupted by evil. He is fully committed to his fatherʼs vision for peace and is determined to make his name by finally destroying the monster that has targeted his family. But tangling with dark magic is not a thing to be taken lightly—especially for a young man as yet untested in the ways of the world. And when the repercussions of this encounter could have consequences for centuries to come . . .
368 pages, Hardcover
Published August 25, 2026
About the author
Terry Brooks
438 books78k followersTerry Brooks was born in Illinois in 1944, where he spent a great deal of his childhood and early adulthood dreaming up stories in and around Sinnissippi Park, the very same park that would eventually become the setting for his bestselling Word & Void trilogy. He went to college and received his undergraduate degree from Hamilton College, where he majored in English Literature, and he received his graduate degree from the School of Law at Washington & Lee University.
A writer since high school, he wrote many stories within the genres of science fiction, western, fiction, and non-fiction, until one semester early in his college years he was given The Lord of the Rings to read. That moment changed Terry's life forever, because in Tolkien's great work he found all the elements needed to fully explore his writing combined in one genre.
He then wrote The Sword of Shannara, the seven year grand result retaining sanity while studying at Washington & Lee University and practicing law. It became the first work of fiction ever to appear on the New York Times trade paperback bestseller list, where it remained for over five months.
A writer since high school, he wrote many stories within the genres of science fiction, western, fiction, and non-fiction, until one semester early in his college years he was given The Lord of the Rings to read. That moment changed Terry's life forever, because in Tolkien's great work he found all the elements needed to fully explore his writing combined in one genre.
He then wrote The Sword of Shannara, the seven year grand result retaining sanity while studying at Washington & Lee University and practicing law. It became the first work of fiction ever to appear on the New York Times trade paperback bestseller list, where it remained for over five months.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 71 reviews
September 1, 2026
I love the Shannara series, but this book was missing Brooks' unique touch. Delilah S. Dawson isn't a bad writer, but something felt off. This, however, did not affect my rating all that much. What did affect my rating, however, was the character Abronja. Following a stupidly obnoxious character who constantly and consistently makes the worst and dumbest decisions at every turn made this a trying read and made it even longer than it actually was. Hopefully the next book, if there is one, will have a more tolerable protagonist.
September 2, 2026
“Brona” is the sequel to “Galaphile”, and I’m assuming you’ve read the latter if you’re reading my review, so there will be spoilers ahead if you haven’t read the first in this series.
According to my understanding, “Galaphile” was written by both Terry Brooks and Delilah S. Dawson, whereas “Brona” is where Brooks officially handed the reins over to Dawson. As a huge Shannara fan since my childhood, I cannot imagine being told that you get to take over the series. She probably ended the phone call and started screaming with delight. I know I would have!
Dawson is more known for female characters, but she does Brona (and Terry) justice here. It reads like a book in the Shannara Universe. At no point was I taken out of the story by thinking that it didn’t sound like Brooks himself. This is not to say that Dawson is copying anything—it more speaks to her ability to immerse herself in the Shannara world and think WWTD (What would Terry Do?). Based on this book, I’m confident that Dawson will be able to continue the series, even entirely on her own. She’s a fantastic writer.
On to the actual story: Abronja (Brona), the son of Galaphile and Nirianne is now sixteen years old, with all of the bravado and ill-advised decisions that come along with being an adolescent boy. Paranor hasn’t been visited by the Spectre Telle since Brona’s birth, and the boy is restless and bored in the peaceful city. His parents leave him with his younger brother Ional, and I’m betting you can guess at the series of bad decisions made by both.
What’s a novel without some tragedy, amirite?
Two years pass, and Brona, now eighteen, is invited to accompany his father to Arbolon, where the king has just been assassinated. Brona finally meets other young adults around his age, and his world opens up in ways he never imagined.
To avoid spoilers, I will only add that the character arc of Brona is something to behold. The influences on him slowly change his perceptions and ways of thinking, and while it is interesting, it’s also hard to read if you’re a longtime Shannara fan like myself. If you’ve been reading Brooks’ work for a while, you already know where this book is going. The backstory of Brona has been anticipated for decades, and “Brona” answers a lot of questions that readers have been asking. So it’s a satisfying, yet difficult read.
If you’re just starting out with Shannara, I don’t know if I would recommend this series first. Instead, I would start with either “The First King of Shannara” (the prequel to “The Sword of Shannara) or “The Sword of Shannara” itself. The thing is, “The Sword of Shannara” is Brooks’ very first book, and it does show. He got much better at writing as the series went along. So if you’re reading it and thinking it’s a bit juvenile or a complete ripoff of “The Lord of the Rings”, please do give it time as a series. I will say, though, there are a few later books that I really didn’t like, and you can go to my profile to see which ones. However, “The Word and the Void”, “Genesis of Shannara”, “Voyage of the Jerle Shannara”, “High Druid of Shannara”, and “Legends of Shannara” trilogies are all amazing. I do need to read “The Fall of Shannara” quartet still, but I believe I read the first and enjoyed it.
All that to say, “Brona” is a good story with a lot of answers, and longtime fans should pick it up.
4.25 stars, rounded down.
Thank you to NetGalley and Del Rey for access to an early copy in exchange for my honest feedback.
According to my understanding, “Galaphile” was written by both Terry Brooks and Delilah S. Dawson, whereas “Brona” is where Brooks officially handed the reins over to Dawson. As a huge Shannara fan since my childhood, I cannot imagine being told that you get to take over the series. She probably ended the phone call and started screaming with delight. I know I would have!
Dawson is more known for female characters, but she does Brona (and Terry) justice here. It reads like a book in the Shannara Universe. At no point was I taken out of the story by thinking that it didn’t sound like Brooks himself. This is not to say that Dawson is copying anything—it more speaks to her ability to immerse herself in the Shannara world and think WWTD (What would Terry Do?). Based on this book, I’m confident that Dawson will be able to continue the series, even entirely on her own. She’s a fantastic writer.
On to the actual story: Abronja (Brona), the son of Galaphile and Nirianne is now sixteen years old, with all of the bravado and ill-advised decisions that come along with being an adolescent boy. Paranor hasn’t been visited by the Spectre Telle since Brona’s birth, and the boy is restless and bored in the peaceful city. His parents leave him with his younger brother Ional, and I’m betting you can guess at the series of bad decisions made by both.
What’s a novel without some tragedy, amirite?
Two years pass, and Brona, now eighteen, is invited to accompany his father to Arbolon, where the king has just been assassinated. Brona finally meets other young adults around his age, and his world opens up in ways he never imagined.
To avoid spoilers, I will only add that the character arc of Brona is something to behold. The influences on him slowly change his perceptions and ways of thinking, and while it is interesting, it’s also hard to read if you’re a longtime Shannara fan like myself. If you’ve been reading Brooks’ work for a while, you already know where this book is going. The backstory of Brona has been anticipated for decades, and “Brona” answers a lot of questions that readers have been asking. So it’s a satisfying, yet difficult read.
If you’re just starting out with Shannara, I don’t know if I would recommend this series first. Instead, I would start with either “The First King of Shannara” (the prequel to “The Sword of Shannara) or “The Sword of Shannara” itself. The thing is, “The Sword of Shannara” is Brooks’ very first book, and it does show. He got much better at writing as the series went along. So if you’re reading it and thinking it’s a bit juvenile or a complete ripoff of “The Lord of the Rings”, please do give it time as a series. I will say, though, there are a few later books that I really didn’t like, and you can go to my profile to see which ones. However, “The Word and the Void”, “Genesis of Shannara”, “Voyage of the Jerle Shannara”, “High Druid of Shannara”, and “Legends of Shannara” trilogies are all amazing. I do need to read “The Fall of Shannara” quartet still, but I believe I read the first and enjoyed it.
All that to say, “Brona” is a good story with a lot of answers, and longtime fans should pick it up.
4.25 stars, rounded down.
Thank you to NetGalley and Del Rey for access to an early copy in exchange for my honest feedback.
September 1, 2026
4.5 stars
Satisfying prequel novel to The Sword of Shannara that succeeds where the previous "First Druid" installment did not.
Galaphile read like an outline to a novel, moving in fits and starts with a few choice details thrown in to placate longtime fans, if not newcomers. Brona, on the other hand, is well-paced, exciting, with a protagonist who reminded me of myself (and some of the bad decisions I would have made if not for less permissive parents) as a youngster.
Ultimately, this book is more tragic than the typical Shannara book. This mostly stems from readers knowing how it ends, but also from Dawson taking over the writing chores from Brooks.
I do miss having POV chapters from the antagonist, which I have come to associate with Brooks' best Shannara novels, but there were two of those chapters from The Spectere Telle in the previous book.
This is a book that's secrets and revelations were things I've yearned for since I first read Sword more than 50 years ago and I found it worth the wait.
Satisfying prequel novel to The Sword of Shannara that succeeds where the previous "First Druid" installment did not.
Galaphile read like an outline to a novel, moving in fits and starts with a few choice details thrown in to placate longtime fans, if not newcomers. Brona, on the other hand, is well-paced, exciting, with a protagonist who reminded me of myself (and some of the bad decisions I would have made if not for less permissive parents) as a youngster.
Ultimately, this book is more tragic than the typical Shannara book. This mostly stems from readers knowing how it ends, but also from Dawson taking over the writing chores from Brooks.
I do miss having POV chapters from the antagonist, which I have come to associate with Brooks' best Shannara novels, but there were two of those chapters from The Spectere Telle in the previous book.
This is a book that's secrets and revelations were things I've yearned for since I first read Sword more than 50 years ago and I found it worth the wait.
May 31, 2026
Thank you Del Rey and NetGalley for the gifted eARC!
This was a phenomenal read! Seeing Abronja’s journey and how life events shaped him (in a manner entirely different from Galaphile’s in the previous book in this prequel series) was absolutely fascinating and so skillfully done. I found myself alternating between empathizing and raging from moment to moment, and I thought the pacing issues I had with the previous book were largely resolved here. Galaphile was my first Shannara book (yes, I’m questioning how I managed to go this long without reading them as well) and while it got me interested in the world, this book absolutely convinced me to go back and read the rest!
This was a phenomenal read! Seeing Abronja’s journey and how life events shaped him (in a manner entirely different from Galaphile’s in the previous book in this prequel series) was absolutely fascinating and so skillfully done. I found myself alternating between empathizing and raging from moment to moment, and I thought the pacing issues I had with the previous book were largely resolved here. Galaphile was my first Shannara book (yes, I’m questioning how I managed to go this long without reading them as well) and while it got me interested in the world, this book absolutely convinced me to go back and read the rest!
September 28, 2026
Brona by Terry Brooks and Delilah S. Dawson is the second book in "The First Druids of Shannara" series. In this one, we get the backstory of Galaphile's son, Abronga, and how he eventually evolves into Brona. You will know where this story is heading if you've read the Shannara books thus far. We know that Brona will eventually become the Warlock Lord and main villain of the Sword of Shannara. This book will begin the story of how he became the most deadly villain in all of Shannara. Some people expressed concern that this book was co-written by Deklilah S. Dawson, but I think her writing and that of Terry Brooks blended together perfectly and made for a great read. It was good to return to the Four Lands of Shannara!
October 3, 2026
I'm so happy to be back in this world! It's always a treat to read a Terry Brooks book, and even though there is a passing of the torch as Delilah S. Dawson writes in this series, it is a remarkable book that feels true to the Shannara I've grown to love. The world is as rich as ever, with plenty of characters for readers to learn to love. The world of Paranor is coming to life and seeing it from this earlier perspective is a dream come true. If you've been missing this world and wanted to discover the history, this series is the perfect place to start. I had one issue toward the end that I can't really mention because of spoilers, but I'm optimistic there will be an answer in the next book. Can't wait for the next book and to see where we go in the future. I received a copy of this book through NetGalley.
August 30, 2026
No going through all this for me the first half of the book was driving me crazy a Greek tragedy indeed, but the second half of the story impressed me a little young adult from my taste, which is normally not Terry Brooks so I guess Delilah is adding a little bit of her flair.
A lot of the dues and don’ts of what happens to a Brona I told in the first king of Shannara, and also the sword of Shannara!
But hearing this story definitely had an Anakin feel to it! But different
A lot of the dues and don’ts of what happens to a Brona I told in the first king of Shannara, and also the sword of Shannara!
But hearing this story definitely had an Anakin feel to it! But different
September 13, 2026
A great adventure into the origin of a once druid turned warlock lord. I have been eager to get my hands on this book since finishing Galaphile. It is sad to see Brooks go but I believe Dawson did a fine job navigating the questions that many of us have carried through this series. I look forward to more!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 3, 2026
Absolutely loved this book! Felt like the behind the scenes of the fall of anakin skywalker we always wanted. Can’t wait for the next book!
October 13, 2026
I think I only kept reading because I have read them all, not that exciting
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
When Terry Brooks announced the First Druids of Shannara series, I was so excited because this was exactly the story I'd wanted him to tell since I started reading the Shannara books (almost a decade ago now). Galaphile was a great book, and felt like classic Terry Brooks storytelling but with a much faster pacing than he used to have. Then Terry announced that he would be bringing on Delilah S Dawson to write the future Shannara novels, while he provided outlines and guidance and editing help. This made me nervous because Delilah S Dawson has a very different writing style than Terry Brooks (don't get me wrong, I love her books [especially The Violence, Hit/Strike, and her Star Wars novels] and think she's a great writer, but she's a very different writer than Terry Brooks). I was worried that Delilah would just use her own writing voice instead of matching Terry's.
I was so very wrong. Not only does Delilah's voice EXACTLY match Terry Brooks', but honestly if you had given me this book without Delilah's name on it, I would have just assumed it was Terry Brooks writing by himself. Truly spectacular how they pulled this off.
Brona is at its esssence...a tragedy. You know where this story is heading if you've read the Shannara books thus far. We know that Brona will eventually become the Warlock Lord and main villain of the Sword of Shannara...but how did he get there? Well, we start out when he's an older teenager, and he's finally starting to get more responsibilities from his father (Galaphile), and when a hunting accident goes terribly wrong and an Elven monarch is assassinated, Brona begins down a slow, dark path that is tragic, haunting, and thematically deep. This book has heavy inspiration and similarities to "Attack of the Clones" from the Star Wars universe (of which both Brooks and Dawson have contributed books before), but it also pulls some inspiration from "Revenge of the Sith". Brona is very much a tragic character ala Anakin Skywalker, a hero who turns evil and you see it coming but cannot stop them.
This book is more thematically deep than it's immediate predcessor (Galaphile), as it deals with themes about sin and truth. When Brona begins going down his dark path, he isn't irredemable at first. In fact, he has multiple opportunities to come clean, to talk with his family, and to make amends for his mistakes. But that fear of repercusisons, that worry that no one will understand or empathize, that desire to continue down that path is absolutely relevant to when we as humans sin and try to hide it. I cannot believe how well this theme manifests in the story.
The book is, like Galaphile, extremely fast paced. Where 70s-90s Brooks books were longer and much slower and featured many travellogues, this book is lean, exciting, and focused. There's quite a lot of story still happening, but Brooks has learned how to cut out the superfluous while retaining what's important.
As I referenced to earlier, I fully expected Delilah S Dawson to have her own writing style be prevalent in this book. Dawson is very much known for her work with female characters. I've read 10 of her previous books, and all 10 books had female main characters who were extremely feminist and many of them (particularly her adult books) had this hard, coarse, edgy nature to it. I believe every novel of hers has had the main character as a women/girl (although I've not read all of them so I'm not 100% sure). I enjoyed those, but that is NOT the Shannara style. I was shocked to realize that this book really has 2 main POV characters, Brona for the majority of it, and Galaphile for most of the rest of it. Brona's mother Nirianne has a handful of like 2-3 page vignettes where she shows up, but she's not the main POV character by any stretch. And when it comes to the writing style, this does not feel like a book published in 2026. It could easily have been written in the 70s-90s and only just now the manuscript published. I would completely believe if that was the case. Dawson's word choice and the flow of the sentences does completely match Brooks' style.
The story itself features the Spectre Telle (from the previous book), back to terrorize, cause mayhem, and perhaps some different motives than one would expect. I will avoid going in depth about the plot to avoid spoilers, but as it unfolded I still had that "Classic Brooks" feeling as I read it. I will also say that this is still exactly the story I wanted Brooks to tell, and I couldn't really be happier with it.
My only criticism is that I would have written just a bit more in the Arborlon section, to flesh it out more, and I would have introduced something else at the end like the first book did (but to say what I mean would be a spoiler).
Overall, I am truly surprised and delighted by this book. Not every collaboration goes well, not every writer handing off the reigns of their series is successful...but this one is! Modern pacing, but classic writing, worldbuilding, characters, and most importantly, classic Shannara feeling. Shannara is back! 9.5 out of 10! Well done Delilah S Dawson and Terry Brooks!
I was so very wrong. Not only does Delilah's voice EXACTLY match Terry Brooks', but honestly if you had given me this book without Delilah's name on it, I would have just assumed it was Terry Brooks writing by himself. Truly spectacular how they pulled this off.
Brona is at its esssence...a tragedy. You know where this story is heading if you've read the Shannara books thus far. We know that Brona will eventually become the Warlock Lord and main villain of the Sword of Shannara...but how did he get there? Well, we start out when he's an older teenager, and he's finally starting to get more responsibilities from his father (Galaphile), and when a hunting accident goes terribly wrong and an Elven monarch is assassinated, Brona begins down a slow, dark path that is tragic, haunting, and thematically deep. This book has heavy inspiration and similarities to "Attack of the Clones" from the Star Wars universe (of which both Brooks and Dawson have contributed books before), but it also pulls some inspiration from "Revenge of the Sith". Brona is very much a tragic character ala Anakin Skywalker, a hero who turns evil and you see it coming but cannot stop them.
This book is more thematically deep than it's immediate predcessor (Galaphile), as it deals with themes about sin and truth. When Brona begins going down his dark path, he isn't irredemable at first. In fact, he has multiple opportunities to come clean, to talk with his family, and to make amends for his mistakes. But that fear of repercusisons, that worry that no one will understand or empathize, that desire to continue down that path is absolutely relevant to when we as humans sin and try to hide it. I cannot believe how well this theme manifests in the story.
The book is, like Galaphile, extremely fast paced. Where 70s-90s Brooks books were longer and much slower and featured many travellogues, this book is lean, exciting, and focused. There's quite a lot of story still happening, but Brooks has learned how to cut out the superfluous while retaining what's important.
As I referenced to earlier, I fully expected Delilah S Dawson to have her own writing style be prevalent in this book. Dawson is very much known for her work with female characters. I've read 10 of her previous books, and all 10 books had female main characters who were extremely feminist and many of them (particularly her adult books) had this hard, coarse, edgy nature to it. I believe every novel of hers has had the main character as a women/girl (although I've not read all of them so I'm not 100% sure). I enjoyed those, but that is NOT the Shannara style. I was shocked to realize that this book really has 2 main POV characters, Brona for the majority of it, and Galaphile for most of the rest of it. Brona's mother Nirianne has a handful of like 2-3 page vignettes where she shows up, but she's not the main POV character by any stretch. And when it comes to the writing style, this does not feel like a book published in 2026. It could easily have been written in the 70s-90s and only just now the manuscript published. I would completely believe if that was the case. Dawson's word choice and the flow of the sentences does completely match Brooks' style.
The story itself features the Spectre Telle (from the previous book), back to terrorize, cause mayhem, and perhaps some different motives than one would expect. I will avoid going in depth about the plot to avoid spoilers, but as it unfolded I still had that "Classic Brooks" feeling as I read it. I will also say that this is still exactly the story I wanted Brooks to tell, and I couldn't really be happier with it.
My only criticism is that I would have written just a bit more in the Arborlon section, to flesh it out more, and I would have introduced something else at the end like the first book did (but to say what I mean would be a spoiler).
Overall, I am truly surprised and delighted by this book. Not every collaboration goes well, not every writer handing off the reigns of their series is successful...but this one is! Modern pacing, but classic writing, worldbuilding, characters, and most importantly, classic Shannara feeling. Shannara is back! 9.5 out of 10! Well done Delilah S Dawson and Terry Brooks!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Brona, the second book in The First Druids of Shannara series, provides a fantastic⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ addition to the origins of the Druid Council and their fortress Paranor, as well as the origins of the Warlock Lord. I recommend reading the first book in this series, Galaphile, before beginning Brona because of the multiple references to events in the earlier story. (To learn more about the earlier book read my spoiler-free review of Galaphile).
This second book in the series resumes the tale about 17 years after the events of Galaphile. After their last battle with the Spectre Telle, Galaphile and his life-partner Nirianne have continued to oversee the construction of Paranor while raising their 2 sons, 16 year old Abronja, nicknamed Brona, and his 10 year old brother Ional. Although the Spectre Telle has not been seen in many years, they remain vigilant and often travel throughout the Four Lands to improve relations and establish peace between the races of Humans, Elves, Gnomes and Trolls. When at home in Paranor, Galaphile continues to train Brona in the use of magic, which he did not start until Brona turned 14, in spite of his older son's eagerness to begin earlier.
In many ways, Brona is a "coming of age" tale. It is chock-full of new experiences, both tragic and heroic, as well as quests and battles. It's also a tale of the struggle between youth and experience, knowing when to act and when to wait, and the need to be seen as being skillful and able to handle new responsibilities without constant supervision.
Most of all, this is a tale of a young man who desires to step out from beneath the perceived shadow of his parents' accomplishments, and of the burdens he carries being unable to forgive himself for a tragedy caused by a mistake in judgement. His drive to increase his magical skills, his desire to prove himself, and the overconfidence of youth make him particularly vulnerable to the temptations and traps set by evil forces at work within the Four Lands.
Longtime readers will recognize many elements of the story, while enjoying new discoveries about the Druids, Paranor and the Four Lands. Newcomers and longtime readers alike will enjoy the adventures that occur, celebrate the victories and mourn the losses.
In March of 2025, Shannara author Terry Brooks announced that he was stepping back from day to day writing and was passing the Shannara torch to sci-fi/fantasy author Delilah S. Dawson. This semi-retirement meant that Brooks, 81 years old at the time, could continue to be involved and provide guidance to his chosen successor, without having the burden of writing the full book by himself. Brona is the result of that first collaboration, and is a more-than-worthy addition to the Shannara canon. It's a fantastic story and I look forward to reading what comes next.
Recommended.
Thanks to the publisher, Del Rey for offering me an eARC to review.
This second book in the series resumes the tale about 17 years after the events of Galaphile. After their last battle with the Spectre Telle, Galaphile and his life-partner Nirianne have continued to oversee the construction of Paranor while raising their 2 sons, 16 year old Abronja, nicknamed Brona, and his 10 year old brother Ional. Although the Spectre Telle has not been seen in many years, they remain vigilant and often travel throughout the Four Lands to improve relations and establish peace between the races of Humans, Elves, Gnomes and Trolls. When at home in Paranor, Galaphile continues to train Brona in the use of magic, which he did not start until Brona turned 14, in spite of his older son's eagerness to begin earlier.
In many ways, Brona is a "coming of age" tale. It is chock-full of new experiences, both tragic and heroic, as well as quests and battles. It's also a tale of the struggle between youth and experience, knowing when to act and when to wait, and the need to be seen as being skillful and able to handle new responsibilities without constant supervision.
Most of all, this is a tale of a young man who desires to step out from beneath the perceived shadow of his parents' accomplishments, and of the burdens he carries being unable to forgive himself for a tragedy caused by a mistake in judgement. His drive to increase his magical skills, his desire to prove himself, and the overconfidence of youth make him particularly vulnerable to the temptations and traps set by evil forces at work within the Four Lands.
Longtime readers will recognize many elements of the story, while enjoying new discoveries about the Druids, Paranor and the Four Lands. Newcomers and longtime readers alike will enjoy the adventures that occur, celebrate the victories and mourn the losses.
In March of 2025, Shannara author Terry Brooks announced that he was stepping back from day to day writing and was passing the Shannara torch to sci-fi/fantasy author Delilah S. Dawson. This semi-retirement meant that Brooks, 81 years old at the time, could continue to be involved and provide guidance to his chosen successor, without having the burden of writing the full book by himself. Brona is the result of that first collaboration, and is a more-than-worthy addition to the Shannara canon. It's a fantastic story and I look forward to reading what comes next.
Recommended.
Thanks to the publisher, Del Rey for offering me an eARC to review.
August 19, 2026
BLURB:
Abronja, Galaphile’s 16-year-old son, seeks to prove himself when the Spectral Tell returns, but his pursuit of forbidden magic sets him on a dangerous path.
REVIEW:
This is a book that’s been a LONG TIME COMING for Terry Brooks fans because it tells the story of the making of legendary villain Brona, who’s appeared in well-known books in the Shannara series. What makes this release more intriguing is that it’s the 1st Shannara novel written as a collab btw Terry Brooks & Delilah S. Dawson, with Dawson joining Brooks in carrying the series forward. As someone who’s read Shannara for decades, I was so curious to see how this would compare with previous books—& I was impressed! The writing brings a fresh energy, but the characters, magic, and adventure still felt “Shannara.”
This is also the 2nd book in The First Druids of Shannara, following Galaphile, and while that book centered on the powerful mage Galaphile Joss, this focuses on his son, Abronja. Abronja’s ambitious & determined not to spend his life living in his father’s shadow. And there’s SO much here for longtime Shannara readers: the Illdatch, ancient magic, the start of the legendary Druid Order, the Druids’ magical Well, magical battles & more!
The story is told via multiple POVs, following Abronja, Galaphile, & Nirianne. The opening is compelling. Abronja takes his younger brother, Einel, on his first hunting trip & Seer Ursula Raken gives him a warning that this journey will forever change him. And she couldn’t have been more right as a creature sent by the “Spectral Tell” kills Einel. The tragedy is the emotional foundation for everything—be prepared to have tissues ready for this book!! 😭
The Spectral Tell’s return takes the story beyond Paranor to Arborlon (the city of the Elves), where a threat against the Queen forces Galaphile & Abronja to get involved. These chapters were some of my favorites b/c the world-building is immersive, & we begin to see Abronja’s ambition take shape.
Abronja’s resentment builds as he feels increasingly dismissed, misunderstood, and restricted—and the new Druid Order takes center stage in his unraveling. The exchanges between Galaphile and Abronja become more dramatic as they struggle to understand each other, while Nirianne’s scenes with Abronja were the most emotional for me. I could feel her love and protectiveness, even when he couldn’t.
The formation of the Druid Order, which longtime Shannara fans have waited so long to read about, is a fascinating layer. I enjoyed seeing how the eclectic group of mages and seers from the different races came together, as well as how the magical “Druids’ Well” emerges.
Without giving away any spoilers, the final 30% of the story is intense. Abronja’s forced to confront some disturbing truths & I was shocked at some of his decision-making & captivated during the climax. The story takes an unexpected direction towards the very end, & there are heartbreaking moments that had me close to tears. And that ending! In true Shannara fashion, it feels like the beginning of something much bigger!
If you’ve been reading the Shannara books forever like me, I think you’ll find Brona captivating. And if you’re new to Shannara, I think this series (read in order) works wonderfully as an introduction to the Shannara universe. I can’t wait to see where Terry Brooks and Delilah S. Dawson take the story next!!
Abronja, Galaphile’s 16-year-old son, seeks to prove himself when the Spectral Tell returns, but his pursuit of forbidden magic sets him on a dangerous path.
REVIEW:
This is a book that’s been a LONG TIME COMING for Terry Brooks fans because it tells the story of the making of legendary villain Brona, who’s appeared in well-known books in the Shannara series. What makes this release more intriguing is that it’s the 1st Shannara novel written as a collab btw Terry Brooks & Delilah S. Dawson, with Dawson joining Brooks in carrying the series forward. As someone who’s read Shannara for decades, I was so curious to see how this would compare with previous books—& I was impressed! The writing brings a fresh energy, but the characters, magic, and adventure still felt “Shannara.”
This is also the 2nd book in The First Druids of Shannara, following Galaphile, and while that book centered on the powerful mage Galaphile Joss, this focuses on his son, Abronja. Abronja’s ambitious & determined not to spend his life living in his father’s shadow. And there’s SO much here for longtime Shannara readers: the Illdatch, ancient magic, the start of the legendary Druid Order, the Druids’ magical Well, magical battles & more!
The story is told via multiple POVs, following Abronja, Galaphile, & Nirianne. The opening is compelling. Abronja takes his younger brother, Einel, on his first hunting trip & Seer Ursula Raken gives him a warning that this journey will forever change him. And she couldn’t have been more right as a creature sent by the “Spectral Tell” kills Einel. The tragedy is the emotional foundation for everything—be prepared to have tissues ready for this book!! 😭
The Spectral Tell’s return takes the story beyond Paranor to Arborlon (the city of the Elves), where a threat against the Queen forces Galaphile & Abronja to get involved. These chapters were some of my favorites b/c the world-building is immersive, & we begin to see Abronja’s ambition take shape.
Abronja’s resentment builds as he feels increasingly dismissed, misunderstood, and restricted—and the new Druid Order takes center stage in his unraveling. The exchanges between Galaphile and Abronja become more dramatic as they struggle to understand each other, while Nirianne’s scenes with Abronja were the most emotional for me. I could feel her love and protectiveness, even when he couldn’t.
The formation of the Druid Order, which longtime Shannara fans have waited so long to read about, is a fascinating layer. I enjoyed seeing how the eclectic group of mages and seers from the different races came together, as well as how the magical “Druids’ Well” emerges.
Without giving away any spoilers, the final 30% of the story is intense. Abronja’s forced to confront some disturbing truths & I was shocked at some of his decision-making & captivated during the climax. The story takes an unexpected direction towards the very end, & there are heartbreaking moments that had me close to tears. And that ending! In true Shannara fashion, it feels like the beginning of something much bigger!
If you’ve been reading the Shannara books forever like me, I think you’ll find Brona captivating. And if you’re new to Shannara, I think this series (read in order) works wonderfully as an introduction to the Shannara universe. I can’t wait to see where Terry Brooks and Delilah S. Dawson take the story next!!
August 31, 2026
Welcome Delilah, I hope they let you take the reins. Absolutelyfuckingfinominal.
As far as actual writing... Like the actual writing of the book... the only way that I might be able to tell that this was written by somebody else, in addition to Terry... was that there were phrases reused multiple times in this book. Which is one of my biggest pet peeves.
However.... If her name wasn't on the cover I never would have known. This was an absolutely amazing addition to the Shannara franchis. Without spoiling anything, You get a glimpse into what the absolute mightiest names in the Terry Brooks franchise can do as far as magic.... and its amazing. In my opinion the peak of the magical era in the Shannara series / universe.
The pacing of this book was absolutely dead on. There were no parts that made me bored it kept me engaged the entire way through with perfect foreshadowings that basically told me what was going to happen, but in the back of my mind I'm hoping that it doesn't... This book should be used in english classes to show how foreshadowing can help push a story and lead the reader through the book with proper pacing.
I hope that they do more of these as Terry Brooks definitely won't be writing for much longer... And Delilah did an absolutely fantastic job.
Personally I would love to see more books following the fall of shanara series, Where we are more modern day and potentially rediscovering magic... However I believe Terry has said as time passes technology is going to take over again and magic fades from the land. Basically that magic was the most powerful Towards the beginning of the series and gets weaker and weaker and more scarce as the series go on...
If you enjoy the typical Terry Brooks pacing and speed I would say this book is a little bit faster than his traditional books, But was absolutely a 5 out of 5.
Now, it's been about 10 to 15 years since I read the original trilogy, But the world building and continuation of world building that Terry created back then helped this story feel like it was a part of the world. Everything in this book seemed to hold true to the original lore of the book series. This book is definitely not a book to start on if you are new to the series... I think galophile would be a perfect book to start on maybe even before you read the original trilogy....
Tldr: Fanfuckingtastic 5/5
As far as actual writing... Like the actual writing of the book... the only way that I might be able to tell that this was written by somebody else, in addition to Terry... was that there were phrases reused multiple times in this book. Which is one of my biggest pet peeves.
However.... If her name wasn't on the cover I never would have known. This was an absolutely amazing addition to the Shannara franchis. Without spoiling anything, You get a glimpse into what the absolute mightiest names in the Terry Brooks franchise can do as far as magic.... and its amazing. In my opinion the peak of the magical era in the Shannara series / universe.
The pacing of this book was absolutely dead on. There were no parts that made me bored it kept me engaged the entire way through with perfect foreshadowings that basically told me what was going to happen, but in the back of my mind I'm hoping that it doesn't... This book should be used in english classes to show how foreshadowing can help push a story and lead the reader through the book with proper pacing.
I hope that they do more of these as Terry Brooks definitely won't be writing for much longer... And Delilah did an absolutely fantastic job.
Personally I would love to see more books following the fall of shanara series, Where we are more modern day and potentially rediscovering magic... However I believe Terry has said as time passes technology is going to take over again and magic fades from the land. Basically that magic was the most powerful Towards the beginning of the series and gets weaker and weaker and more scarce as the series go on...
If you enjoy the typical Terry Brooks pacing and speed I would say this book is a little bit faster than his traditional books, But was absolutely a 5 out of 5.
Now, it's been about 10 to 15 years since I read the original trilogy, But the world building and continuation of world building that Terry created back then helped this story feel like it was a part of the world. Everything in this book seemed to hold true to the original lore of the book series. This book is definitely not a book to start on if you are new to the series... I think galophile would be a perfect book to start on maybe even before you read the original trilogy....
Tldr: Fanfuckingtastic 5/5
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This is not perfect, but it is everything I wanted Galaphile to be when it was released. This is our first adventure with Delilah S. Dawson taking over for Terry as primary writer of the Shannara series. Even though this wasn't Terry's writing, I definitely felt his influence throughout the book. I admit I was reticent about this change, Shannara is very much a comfort series for me and I have been very anxious about what this series would evolve into, thankfully I can say I'm happily surprised.
I could immediately see Delilah in the writing, conversations between characters flowed more easily in Brona compared to Galaphile. Admittedly, there were times where I struggled with the shifting POVs in one conversation. I also found Abronja's perspective very grating and annoying to read at times. As the story progressed, I realized that was very likely an intentional choice on Delilah's part and it was VERY well done. There was several OMG moments throughout the book and I will admit my jaw hit the floor several times, which I wasn't expecting! Overall, this was a very good story and I'm excited to see what happens next.
As a longtime Shannara fan/reader, there are some continuity errors that really bothered me and which I hope are corrected when the book goes to print. Specifically, the two most egregious ones are Misty Marsh instead of Mist Marsh and Elit Druin instead of Eilt Druin. I also noted some incorrect spellings of character names from one chapter to the next, but again that will hopefully be corrected in the printed version.
Thank you to NetGalley, Del Rey, Terry Brooks, and Delilah S. Dawson for an eARC in exchange for an honest review!
I could immediately see Delilah in the writing, conversations between characters flowed more easily in Brona compared to Galaphile. Admittedly, there were times where I struggled with the shifting POVs in one conversation. I also found Abronja's perspective very grating and annoying to read at times. As the story progressed, I realized that was very likely an intentional choice on Delilah's part and it was VERY well done. There was several OMG moments throughout the book and I will admit my jaw hit the floor several times, which I wasn't expecting! Overall, this was a very good story and I'm excited to see what happens next.
As a longtime Shannara fan/reader, there are some continuity errors that really bothered me and which I hope are corrected when the book goes to print. Specifically, the two most egregious ones are Misty Marsh instead of Mist Marsh and Elit Druin instead of Eilt Druin. I also noted some incorrect spellings of character names from one chapter to the next, but again that will hopefully be corrected in the printed version.
Thank you to NetGalley, Del Rey, Terry Brooks, and Delilah S. Dawson for an eARC in exchange for an honest review!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The path to hell is paved in good intentions... mostly.
I've thoroughly enjoyed this villain origin story, as it humanized Brona in a way that I needed to close the loop. In many ways, we learn how little fibs turn into larger lies, how one moment of failed judgment leads to another, and how any habit can become a self-fulfilling prophecy. I not only enjoyed the writing and the story, but also the thought process behind what it means for us as people to be good or bad. It's terrifyingly easy to step off one's intended path, take a left turn, and become the opposite of what one may have intended.
The analogy of the path to hell being paved in good intentions fits perfectly here. The path is built one brick at a time—one misdeed, one lie, one circumventing of accountability—and it becomes clearer day after day.
If you haven't read The Shannara series or want to find a way to start, I believe Galaphile is an excellent starting point, which naturally leads us to Brona. It's a wonderful way to orient yourself and get to know characters for who they once were and how they became the characters in later stories. I enjoy a bit of chronological reading myself, so this would probably be a better starting point if you're like me.
Thank you to Terry Brooks and Delilah S. Dawson for this prequel and for painting a more vivid picture of who Brona was. Thank you as well to Del Rey, Random House Worlds, and Inklore for allowing me to take a step back in time.
I've thoroughly enjoyed this villain origin story, as it humanized Brona in a way that I needed to close the loop. In many ways, we learn how little fibs turn into larger lies, how one moment of failed judgment leads to another, and how any habit can become a self-fulfilling prophecy. I not only enjoyed the writing and the story, but also the thought process behind what it means for us as people to be good or bad. It's terrifyingly easy to step off one's intended path, take a left turn, and become the opposite of what one may have intended.
The analogy of the path to hell being paved in good intentions fits perfectly here. The path is built one brick at a time—one misdeed, one lie, one circumventing of accountability—and it becomes clearer day after day.
If you haven't read The Shannara series or want to find a way to start, I believe Galaphile is an excellent starting point, which naturally leads us to Brona. It's a wonderful way to orient yourself and get to know characters for who they once were and how they became the characters in later stories. I enjoy a bit of chronological reading myself, so this would probably be a better starting point if you're like me.
Thank you to Terry Brooks and Delilah S. Dawson for this prequel and for painting a more vivid picture of who Brona was. Thank you as well to Del Rey, Random House Worlds, and Inklore for allowing me to take a step back in time.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
After disliking the first book so strongly, I normally wouldn't have touched this one, but I'm a big fan of Delilah Dawson and so I hoped that her influence would be enough to override the stiff, ponderous writing that Brooks exhibited in Galaphile. With co-authors, especially in a long-established series, you always wonder how much writing is done by the series creator and how much by the guest author. In this case, the book certainly started in a much more dynamic voice, so I hoped that meant it was primarily written by Dawson. Unfortunately, once Galaphile started making a more prominent appearance, his chapters fell back to the same arrogant, condescending voice as the first book. On top of that, Brona is just not a likeable character--even Dawson's writing couldn't make a whiny brat especially sympathetic even if you can identify with a young man's desire to distinguish himself from his revered parents. The adventure itself wasn't bad, as Brona first pulls together a team of magic wielders and the heads out to fight his father's archnemesis. Since I'm not familiar with the Shannara stories, I don't actually know how Brona's story ends up--perhaps that would make this origin story more enjoyable than just reading it as a standalone series.
I received this ARC from NetGalley.
I received this ARC from NetGalley.
September 18, 2026
This is probably the worst book I have ever read. Every chapter completely destroys lore established in the other 40 something Shannara books, and shatters all kinds of continuity. Brooks' work is in ashes after this, really. Hi sco-author, who actually wrote this book, seems to treat this as a Dungeons and Dragons table-top fan-fiction story. I am not kidding. Modern day gaming terms apear quite often, and the character use modern day jargon and terms constantly. Early on in the book the term "level up" is even used. Dawson didn't do a hint of research into the Shannara lore when she took this job. It seems she took Brooks'plot-point, and then treated the restas a Dungeons and Dragons gaming session. Zero research went into this. Absolutely nothing. She even makes a point out of saying a serrated knife is suited for skinning deer, when it is actually the least suited type of blade for it. Stuff like this, and enormous contradictions, are found on almost every page. Whoever the ediot was for this book... he or she should never get to edit anything again. At most the editor, in this case, checked the spelling. Nothing else (painfully obvious too).
My advise to Shannara fans is this. Do not read it. If you were unfortunate enough to read it, likeI was; Treat it as non-canon. It truly can't be canon due to how it has zero continuity with the rest of the books.
My advise to Shannara fans is this. Do not read it. If you were unfortunate enough to read it, likeI was; Treat it as non-canon. It truly can't be canon due to how it has zero continuity with the rest of the books.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Brona is book two in the First Druids of Shannara in what appears to be a trilogy. This will be a non-spoiler review.
Overall a very good read for Terry Brooks fans. While reading the book I was still able to "hear" Mr. Brooks voice throughout, while apperciating Mrs. Dawson's different style of writing. From reading the story it is easy to tell that this book was a partnership and is true to the cannon of Shannara. The premise of this story is Brona as a young man growing up in the shadow of his father, and while wanting to be like him do it in his own way. Through the course of this story (which takes place over some years) Brona grows and improves on his use of magic both by practicing what his father taught him, as well as other dark sources. As with any Shannara story there are epic battles, sad deaths, and a couple of twist that you don't see coming.
If you have Sword of Shannara or even First King of Shannara you already know how this trilogy will end. However how the story gets there will be interesting and exciting to see. I believe that a few more twist and turns are coming as we see how Brona evolves into his final form.
Overall a very good read for Terry Brooks fans. While reading the book I was still able to "hear" Mr. Brooks voice throughout, while apperciating Mrs. Dawson's different style of writing. From reading the story it is easy to tell that this book was a partnership and is true to the cannon of Shannara. The premise of this story is Brona as a young man growing up in the shadow of his father, and while wanting to be like him do it in his own way. Through the course of this story (which takes place over some years) Brona grows and improves on his use of magic both by practicing what his father taught him, as well as other dark sources. As with any Shannara story there are epic battles, sad deaths, and a couple of twist that you don't see coming.
If you have Sword of Shannara or even First King of Shannara you already know how this trilogy will end. However how the story gets there will be interesting and exciting to see. I believe that a few more twist and turns are coming as we see how Brona evolves into his final form.
September 1, 2026
It must be difficult for an aging author to maintain as high a level of writing as Terry Brooks has sustained for so many years. The bar had been set so high that many of his books written in the last decade show signs of weaker writing and more predictable plotlines. This is no exception to that pattern. While better than the first book in this set (with Galaphile), most likely due to being joined by Dawson as a co-writer, the writing clearly is not up to par with Brooks' best. Comparing it with earlier Brooks books leaves this clearly at the low end. Numerous 'facts' contained within the book reveal inconsistencies and contradictions with the canon set in Shannara previously (such as multiple comments and discrepancies about how long Elves live). Eilt Druin is mispelled throughout the entire book as Elit Druin. I had lowered my expectations after reading the previous book and this one is marginally better, but the ending retcons plot mistakes and contradictions made in both books to align the story to previously established lore presented in earlier written Shannara books. This is a book perhaps deserving better than two stars, but clearly not three.
September 7, 2026
I first have to commend Deliliah Dawson for undertaking such daunting task: fill in the gaps on the now-50-year-old epic that is Shannara. To start mid-trilogy on a kinda-but-not-quite prequel was not easy. And I admired her prose and scene development and deeper lessons with the book. Terry Brooks' legacy in the fantasy world is immense. Shannara was my first foray into epic fantasy almost 25 years ago and remained my lodestone for what fantasy should be for years. And the scope of the world will continue to be near and dear to me. Brona's arc of finding his own identity was especially well done.
There were some pacing issues. Most Shannara books are weeks- to months-long adventures. This was a start-and-stop over a few years, which felt disjointed at times. The secondary characters had flashes of development but fell flat to become forgettable. And there were a few anachronisms (Brona's name was a Gnome word in the Sword of Shannara, Allanon took 3 days, not 3 weeks, to ride from Arborlon to Paranor in Elfestones. The elves are suddenly able to live for centuries) that took me out of the story at times.
There were some pacing issues. Most Shannara books are weeks- to months-long adventures. This was a start-and-stop over a few years, which felt disjointed at times. The secondary characters had flashes of development but fell flat to become forgettable. And there were a few anachronisms (Brona's name was a Gnome word in the Sword of Shannara, Allanon took 3 days, not 3 weeks, to ride from Arborlon to Paranor in Elfestones. The elves are suddenly able to live for centuries) that took me out of the story at times.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I've loved Brooks forever and have been a fan of Dawson for years, so I was ecstatic when I found out that she was picking up the torch for this beloved fantasy world. The first fantasy book I ever read was Wishsong (I know book 3, weirdo), but I fell in love with the genre. Many years later I read Phasma, and really enjoyed how Dawson set up the villain and introduced Cardinal, so she is a particularly awesome choice to delve into the origin story of one of the main antagonists of the series. The background and evolution of Abronja into Brona were believable and one was rooting for him, while, having read the series, knowing how it would end up, as a reader I did not guess at the path on how he got there. The internal monologues helped communicate this villains journey, and though you know where Brona ends up, he is still a hero within the story of this book. I highly recommend this book to fans of the genre. While a follow up to Galaphile, this book could stand alone, so if for some reason you don't want to read the backlog, it is still an interesting story. Five stars.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
"Brona: The First Druids of Shannara" by Terry Brooks and Delilah S. Dawson is the latest installment of a sprawling high epic fantasy world spanning over 20 books I believe. The "Brona" story is high stakes and has a strong sense of inherited legacy. Its strongest feature is the tension between Abronja’s desire to prove himself and the dangerous history surrounding his family. Old evil returns after being partly defeated fits well into a classic epic-fantasy trope. I think it is a worthy addition to the series. Unfortunately the dialogue can feel a little stilted at times, which keeps some scenes from feeling fully natural. Overall, it should still appeal to readers who enjoy big-world fantasy with family drama, moral struggle, and difficult choices.
I'm grateful to Del Rey, Random House Worlds, Inklore for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
I'm grateful to Del Rey, Random House Worlds, Inklore for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
“Brona” continues the story begun in “Galaphile,” shifting the focus to Galaphile's son as he struggles with the weight of family expectations, the lure of forbidden power, and his place in the future of the Druids. There is still plenty here for longtime Shannara readers to enjoy, from the growing history of Paranor to the familiar mix of quests, magic, and looming evil, but for me, the spark I have always associated with Brooks' writing was harder to find.
Terry Brooks has always been an automatic purchase for me, yet this is the first Shannara novel that did not leave me eager to turn the next page, and what would normally have been a weekend read stretched into more than three weeks. That is not to say it is a bad book at all, only that some of the magic that has always drawn me to Brooks' work felt diminished in this first collaboration with Delilah S. Dawson.
Thank you to Del Rey and NetGalley for the opportunity to read the ARC.
Terry Brooks has always been an automatic purchase for me, yet this is the first Shannara novel that did not leave me eager to turn the next page, and what would normally have been a weekend read stretched into more than three weeks. That is not to say it is a bad book at all, only that some of the magic that has always drawn me to Brooks' work felt diminished in this first collaboration with Delilah S. Dawson.
Thank you to Del Rey and NetGalley for the opportunity to read the ARC.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This continues from Galaphile, book one of the First Druids of Shannara and it focuses on Abronje, Galaphile's son. I found it less engaging in places than the first book though, I couldn't take to Brona at all. I kept hoping he'd improve, but he didn't. He was a nasty little weasel (sorry Mustela nivalis) from beginning to end
I'm glad that I read it because I wanted to see what happened after the first book. And I really would like to know how the story continues, so I guess I'll be reading the next one in the series when it is released.
However, it felt to me that the style of writing was a bit lacking, I can't quite put my finger on it, but it definitely felt like I was too old to be reading this book, despite liking the genre.
I am thankful to the author, Del Rey, Random House Worlds, Inklore | Del Rey and Netgalley for allowing me to read this book for free.
I'm glad that I read it because I wanted to see what happened after the first book. And I really would like to know how the story continues, so I guess I'll be reading the next one in the series when it is released.
However, it felt to me that the style of writing was a bit lacking, I can't quite put my finger on it, but it definitely felt like I was too old to be reading this book, despite liking the genre.
I am thankful to the author, Del Rey, Random House Worlds, Inklore | Del Rey and Netgalley for allowing me to read this book for free.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Over the years I have read all the books Terry Brooks has written. I'm enjoying coming back to this world. Although you probably need to read the first of this series as this book picks up 16 years later and doesn't fill in the whole history of the first. Brona is a teenager with the I know everything and have to surpass my father's abilities to be important. He was so annoying I kept waiting for his comeuppance, and his parents were so worried about his self esteem he only grew more self centered. Well written and the overall story arc really advanced, but I never warmed up to the oh so humble ass. Didn't expect the ending! Looking forward to the next, thanks to NetGalley for an early read.
August 25, 2026
Brona is part of The First Druids of Shannara now written by Terry Brooks and Delilah S. Dawson. Against an old enemy, Abronja, the eldest son of Galaphile, must prove himself, but can he? What a fascinating look at the past and seeing the future of Brona. I have loved the Shannara series from the beginning, so I was a bit wary of Delilah S. Dawson taking the lead under Terry Brook’s guidance. I shouldn’t have been. What a wonderful writing job she has done continuing this series with Brona. It is the world of Shannara from beginning to end. There are so many surprises that I would be remiss in giving any more about the story because of spoilers. Fans everywhere will be delighted as I was. With new fans loving Brona too.
September 1, 2026
I received an Advanced Read Copy of this book from NetGalley in return for my honest review.
I am a huge fan of the original Shannara trilogy. I am also a fan of Delilah Dawson's humorous fantasy books with Kevin Hearne, so I've been looking forward to finding out what her writing would add to this series. Knowing how Brona's story ends, though, may have colored my view of this book. It also doesn't help that, in this story, he's a teenager who thinks he knows more than he does. He's trying to prove that he's a man and spends his time thinking he's better than his parents. Typical teen, which makes him completely unlikeable.
I will be curious to see where the next book picks up and what they do to move the plot forward in a way that ties in with the original series.
I am a huge fan of the original Shannara trilogy. I am also a fan of Delilah Dawson's humorous fantasy books with Kevin Hearne, so I've been looking forward to finding out what her writing would add to this series. Knowing how Brona's story ends, though, may have colored my view of this book. It also doesn't help that, in this story, he's a teenager who thinks he knows more than he does. He's trying to prove that he's a man and spends his time thinking he's better than his parents. Typical teen, which makes him completely unlikeable.
I will be curious to see where the next book picks up and what they do to move the plot forward in a way that ties in with the original series.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
No spoilers for this one as it was an Advanced Reader Copy. All I can say is that I really enjoyed reading Brona. I have been a fan of Terry Brooks from the beginning of the Shannara saga and as with most of his fans, I had some reservations about him handing the reins over to Delilah Dawson. That being said, I trusted his judgement and was excited to read her first book in the saga. She captured all the excitement, adventure, intrigue and magic of Shannara in Brona. I am extremely impressed and happy to see the story continue while Terry enjoys retirement.
I’ve pre-ordered my hard cover for release later this year and now can’t wait for the concluding book in the trilogy.
I’ve pre-ordered my hard cover for release later this year and now can’t wait for the concluding book in the trilogy.
September 9, 2026
Thank you so much to Del Rey, the author, and NetGalley for the eArc. I liked Brona more than Galaphile. Watching Brona slowly become darker and more dangerous was the strongest part of the book. He is arrogant, impulsive, and frustrating, but that makes his gradual downfall work. The pacing and dialogue felt stronger than in the first book.
Brona’s entitlement did get exhausting, and some of the dialogue and POV shifts still felt stiff. It also lacked the emotional pull of the best Shannara books for me. Still, this was a stronger installment than Galaphile and left me more interested in where the series goes next.
Brona’s entitlement did get exhausting, and some of the dialogue and POV shifts still felt stiff. It also lacked the emotional pull of the best Shannara books for me. Still, this was a stronger installment than Galaphile and left me more interested in where the series goes next.
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