It is true that Terry Brooks has done Star Wars and The Magic Kingdom of Landover, but for virtually everyone who has read fantasy since the mid-’70s, the name “Terry Brooks” immediately conjures up the world of Shannara. It has become one of the pillars of the fantasy genre, and Brooks has inspired countless authors with his easy style. Normally laying out a story over several books, this time he gives us one contained story with the release of THE HIGH DRUID'S BLADE.

Paxon Leah, a descendant of Mirai Leah, whose exploits were recently explored in the Dark Legacy of Shannara trilogy, is a simple merchant living a quiet life with his mother and sister, Chrysallin. Unlike his Leah and Ohmsford ancestors, Paxon and his sibling hold no magic in their blood. Paxon's life is thrown into upheaval when the sinister mage Arcannen abducts Chrysallin. Arming himself with an aged sword that has graced the wall of their home, Paxon heads in pursuit, and in confronting Arcannen finds that the sword he wields is imbued with magic --- a magic he comes to learn is born of the purpose of the Druid, Allanon.

"The world will immediately feel lush and steeped in history, and the events mentioned will ignite further interest, all while laying out a shorter but interesting story."

The Druids seek Paxon out and ask him to train to be a defender --- a knight errant --- and aid them in the retrieval of the lost artifact. They know of the Sword of Leah and will allow him to keep the magic weapon if he agrees to work with them. Arcannen, meanwhile, has his eye on the sword and intends to acquire it by any means necessary.

THE HIGH DRUID'S BLADE is a streamlined story. It does not bear any of the hallmark depth and twists one can usually find in a Brooks series. As such, the book can seem a little short and a tad simple. But threads are left out there that will wrap into the coming installments of the Defenders of Shannara series --- each of the volumes, like this one, telling stand-alone stories with some themes woven together to form a loose connection between them.

Set 150 years after the events of the Dark Legacy trilogy, THE HIGH DRUID'S BLADE slots in nicely into the gap and opens up Paxon's story. Though the main character here, Paxon needs time to grow on you. Arcannen, however, is immediately likable as the villain, and the manner in which he manipulates those around him makes you hope he'll appear in future adventures.

The world of Shannara has been explored and described over an extensive writing career, so THE HIGH DRUID'S BLADE need not spend much of its time detailing the world. This gives Brooks more time to focus his attention on the more personal story of Paxon Leah. Since this novel is one that stands alone within the larger arc of the story of Shannara, he does a very nice job of laying out some of the key points of the history without bogging down the narrative.

As such, THE HIGH DRUID'S BLADE is certainly a book that a new reader can pick up. The world will immediately feel lush and steeped in history, and the events mentioned will ignite further interest, all while laying out a shorter but interesting story. And while beginning to lay the foundations for --- dare we mention? --- the coming conclusion to this decades-old epic.