Fans of Terry Brooks' Shannara stories are in for a treat when Galaphile: The First Druids of Shannara gets released in 2025.This long awaited tale of the origins of the Druids, and of their fortress Paranor, provides readers with the details of the early life of Galaphile Joss and the events that led him to commit his life to establishing peace in the Four Lands and to create a place where the races could work together to preserve knowledge.

Longtime readers have often wondered how the Druid order came about, and how magic became such a potent force in the Four Lands. Galaphile provides a fantastic start to filling in the gaps between the end of the Great Wars and the time of the Druid Bremen and the first King of Shannara.

As usual for a Terry Brooks' tale, this book is well written and well paced. There is more than enough danger, excitement, quests and battles, not to mention references to familiar beings, creatures and places to satisfy the Shannara faithful,. The story is complete enough to draw new readers into the Shannara universe, although these readers would be better served by starting with the original Sword of Shannara and reading the entire backlog in publication order.

Great story, takes you back to the beginning and tells a great story of an early character that you barely know, while filling in some blanks and further develop one of the greatest series.

I have been reading Terry Brooks since I discovered him at age 20. That was almost 50 years ago. Galaphile is another masterpiece and it really is essential to understanding the history of the entire world of Shanarra. Brooks again is at his very best in drawing one in to this wonderful magical world. After finishing, I’m committed to rereading the entirety of my Shanarra collection. Thank you for the privilege of being one of the first to read this book!

Thank you to NetGalley for the Incorrect Proof of this wonderful book.

IMO Mr Brooks has started writing the trilogy that Shannara fans have been asking for for years! Galaphile is not only the origin story for Galaphile Joss, but also the origin story for Paranor. The story starts in a place after the Great Wars and the races are more focused on survival and not engaging with each other. We meet Galaphile as a young kid and all of the experiences he goes through growing up. After suffering the loss of his fiancé and friends, he goes in search of a better way of helping the races.

While going thru his journey Galaphile meets some familiar characters (Cogline, King of the Silver River, the Ildatch, and Moor cats) and some new ones as well (Nirianne, Ratcher, and the Spectre Telle,). Landmark places are visited as well including Skull Mountain and Arborlon. The journey itself has all the makings of a major quest, and the ups and downs that come with it. Galaphile has big plans and gets a lot of help in making those dreams started, but by the end of this book it is clear that there is still a lot more to do before he achieve his goals.

As a long time reader of Mr. Brooks I feel that this is some of his best writing. The pace of the book was good; the character development was great, and it was a hard book to put down. Even though long time readers already know how the trilogy is going to end, it's still worth the read to enjoy the journey. Also for long time Shannara fans that last sentence is going to shock people!

A very interesting read. I really like how Terry grew Galaphile from a young man to the first druid. I liked the character-building Terry instituted and how the none of his character were perfect, but they went through trials and ordeals like real human beings making them tangible. Overall, I would give this book a four out of five stars. Terry's way of writing is superb he really knows how to get the juices going for a reader that keep them interacting with the characters the setting and setting things up for Broma in the First King of Shannara.

First of all. Ive been reading Terry Brooks since the late 1970s. im very glad to see him return to Shannara. This book is a beginning. It is a story of Galaphile, the First druid in Shannara lore. this is his origin story. Of his childhood and how he started on the path to become the first Ard Rhys of the four lands. many characters from Shannara lore are present. Cogline and the King of the silver river. the story shows how Galaphile began to study the magic that would let him become a powerful druid. also, the beginning relationship between moor cats and druids is shown. all of the races that Mr. Brooks has written of, are all here. Dwarves Trolls Gnomes and Elves all are intertwined within the story. of course there is a villian and a dark magic artifact. Mr. Brooks style is quite evident and readers familiar with the Shannara books will find this story a great read

Netgalley Advanced Reader Copy

I’ve read every Shannara book so was THRILLED to have early access to “Galaphile.” I enjoyed learning more about the first Druid and creation of Paranor. It was fun to see a couple familiar characters again (Shannara fans can probably guess who!). Plus, I loved all the cats.

There were a few times the story dragged for me, mostly in the absence of dialogue. Other reviewers cited Nirianne’s struggle as a slower section. However, that part is where I was most engrossed! Just goes to show we all have our personal preferences :).

I LOVED the ending and am 100% hooked for the rest of the series.

Terry Brooks has done it again!! Galaphile is another fantasy for the ages!! We follow Galaphile from a child surviving on his own to him being High Lord of a peace keeping force. Galaphile has begun fulfilling his destiny in uniting the four lands and stabilizing areas that are in post apocalyptic turmoil.
Must read for all fantasy readers!!

I have been reading the Shannara books since I was a child so I was more than excited when I heard about this one. I enjoyed this book wholeheartedly and always look forward to reading more of Terry Brooks. This book is Galaphile’s story, starting as a child and following him through events in his life. If you have committed to reading this series, make sure to add this one to your TBR.

Shannara books are the holy grail of fantasy. I was so excited to see this new release in the world of Shannara, and it did not disappoint. What a fun epic time!!

Thank you to NetGalley for this eARC in exchange for my honest review.

Galaphile is what all Shannara fans have been waiting for! This book starts to fill the gap in the history between the Great Wars and the The First King of Shannara. In this book we learn who Galaphile is and how he came to be the First Druid of Shannara. Of coarse, as always we will enter Terry's classic world that we all love, but just at an ealier stage than we have ever seen. It is a roller coaster ride of good and bad, but the end is classic Terry Brooks! I can't wait for the next book already! Thank you NetGalley for allowing me to preview this book.

What a pleasure to travel back to the World of Shannara. I loved revisiting old friends and familiar places. As always, Terry Brooks pulls us completely into the beautiful, magical saga. Having been introduced to Galaphile, Cogline, The King of the Silver River, Paranor and more in previous novels, reading about their origin story was so much fun. The ending was a little disappointing as it came to an abrupt close leaving me wanting more. I can't wait for the next edition of the trilogy to continue this magnificent saga!
My thanks to Random House Ballantine and NetGalley for the opportunity to review the ARC.

This eARC was provided by Netgalley.com at no cost, and I am supplying an unbiased review.

Brooks' Shannara series have always been a good read to me. Over the years, I have read them them all at least twice. Each time he comes out with a new trilogy installment, I wonder where it will lead....

Galaphile is no disappointment. This time we are going back to the beginning of the druids, and this book, titled after the first, starts us on the journey that lasts through many books. Well written for those of Young Adult and older are able to enjoy, the worldbuilding is great, and one is able to tell the changes the world has gone through, and yet still faces (based on the other novels).

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this novel, and look forward to, if not a continuation of Galaphile's story, something that leads into the lives of some of the earlier druids.

I was so excited to be given the opportunity to read this title. I LOVE the shannara chronicles, heck I even loved the mtv adaptation from a few years ago. I’m always so immersed in this world and so invested in all the characters and what happens next.

Galaphile is a worthy addition to Terry Brooks' Shannara series, serving as a fascinating prequel that sheds light on the origins of the Druids. As a longtime fan, I found the story both refreshing and nostalgic, bringing me back to the epic, good-versus-evil themes that Brooks has always done well. While it occasionally lags, particularly during the protagonist Narianne's inner turmoil, it’s still a great read for Shannara enthusiasts and newcomers alike.

The book introduces us to Galaphile Joss, an orphan with a sharp mind and an innate drive to uncover the mysteries of the world. Brooks skillfully draws readers into Galaphile's journey from a small-town boy to a figure who will shape the future of the Four Lands. The plot is well-paced for the most part, and the characters are thoughtfully crafted, each adding depth to the story. Brooks has a knack for developing characters in ways that make readers care about their journeys, and Galaphile is no exception.

The story dives deep into the classic fantasy themes of light versus dark, life versus death, and the constant struggle for balance in a world filled with challenges. While these themes can sometimes feel heavy-handed, they still resonate well within the context of the Shannara universe. The world-building is as intricate as ever, making it easy to get lost in the lore and landscapes of the Four Lands.

However, around the 80% mark, the pacing noticeably slows as Narianne's internal struggles come to the forefront. This section felt repetitive and bogged down the flow of the narrative. While Narianne's conflict is essential to the plot, I found myself skimming through parts of this segment, eager to return to the main storyline. Thankfully, the pace picks up again, but this lull did leave a bit of a lingering drag on the overall experience.

Despite these pacing issues, Galaphile is a strong entry in the Shannara series and a great way for new readers to jump into Brooks’ fantasy world. The story’s strengths—engaging characters, an intriguing plot, and Brooks' signature world-building—make it a satisfying read. For longtime fans, it adds valuable backstory and context to the origins of the Druids, enriching the larger Shannara narrative.

Overall, Galaphile is a solid read, blending classic fantasy elements with compelling character development. While it isn’t without its flaws, it’s well worth the journey.

Thanks to Random House Ballantine for the opportunity to review the ARC.

I didn't realize how much I missed the Four Lands. I've been reading the Shannara series since the early 90s and this was like finding an old friend.

This is the first in a new sub-series about the first High Druid, the Elven Galaphile, and the realizing of his purpose to unite the different Races. Starting from his early years gaining fighting skills as well as studying magic, the story follows Galaphile's early adventures, including meeting several companions (and love) along the way. The King of the Silver River makes an appearance and sends Galaphile on a lifetime quest.

Very much enjoyed this new entry in the series and looking forward to the next book!

Terry Brooks still knows how to draw readers into his exciting world of Shannara. Galaphile had the same feeling as the day I first cracked open The Sword of Shannara. Shannara will always be a great starting point for new fantasy readers and this story is another great starting point.

The outstanding story teller, Terry Brooks does it again! Adventure, magic, love, war, personal growth, evil doers, heroes & heroines, elves, dwarves, trolls, and more. "Galaphile" is a fun read for readers who enjoy Middle Earth style tales. I found the good vs evil motif to be reminiscent of another series I enjoyed, E.E. "Doc Smith's Lensman series. (Just to be clear, there are no space ships in "Galaphile"!) As this is the first book in a new series, I look forward to reading more!

I thank Terry Brooks and Del Rey for kindly providing an electronic advanced copy of this work.

Review: What can be said more about this world that have not already been covered? It was enthralling to read. I really enjoyed the constant movement coupled with the questing nature of the story line. It creates opportunity to develop a myriad of characters and introduce new ones. Brooks is the master at weaving characters while creating instances to push the readers empathy.

This is classic good vs. evil story telling. Ying/Yang, Dark/light, Death/Life etc. is all in evidence while it smacks you in the face. Nothing subtle about the build. At the 80 percent mark, the story slows way down as you trudge your way through Narianne's plight. The inner struggle was belabored and stifling. I mostly scimmed and flipped through this section. It picks up again but the bad taste lingers whenever Narianne opens her yap.

Still, a good read overall.

I received this ARC for an honest review.

3.6/5

Terry Brooks is one of the Big Names of Fantasy, in my opinion. I remember spending afternoons as a teenager curled up on the couch, devouring every Shannara book I could check out from the library. Some of the first books I bought with my own money were these, and I still have those worn and much abused paperbacks on my shelf today.

So obviously I was thrilled to hear he was writing a new prequel series based on Galaphile, the first of the Druids, responsible for building Paranor. This is set in a time thousands of years after the fall of our own world, but while life is still chaotic and hard. We meet Galaphile as an orphan, a lone elf child in the Human world, and watch as he grows, finds family, experiences loss. We see the events that lead him to study magic and try to build a force for good in a struggling world, forever driven by his desire to help others.

Now the real question – will you like this book? Brooks’s style here is still very much the same as his earlier books, and very similar to that of the early giants of the genre. Popular writing has changed a lot since the 70s and 80s, and even my own tastes have changed as I’ve grown. I enjoyed this book a lot because it gives me the origin story of a very beloved world, but at the same time I noticed that there was a lot of telling rather than showing. We know characters motivations and personalities not because we see it in action necessarily, but because the author explicitly says “this character wants this, and feels this.” It does make the story move faster, but I don’t feel like I know the character as intimately as I’d usually prefer.

For me it was 4 stars - I still loved it, because I love Shannara and I love early fantasy, but YMMV. If you also remember these fondly or have a preference for this style of writing, it’s a wonderful addition to the Shannara canon. Also, there’s a certain name revealed at the very end that made my eyes pop – if you’re a fan of the originals, it’s a head-exploding-meme moment for sure!