r/shannara • u/Individual-Affect786 • 11d ago
A breath of fresh air.. where do I go next?
Just read the elfstones of Shannara knowing nothing about the series. It was probably the best fantasy I’ve read in recent memory. The only criticism I have is the lame ahh cover the publisher picked. What should I read next? Should I go in chronological order or does it not matter?
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11d ago
I would go publication order but I know a lot prefer chronological. I prefer publication order.
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u/WiserStudent557 11d ago
Honestly chronological wasn’t an option while I was younger and while I don’t think it’s a spoiler issue I can’t really imagine it being better chronologically because he was creating it in publication order
OP I don’t know if you’re buying, borrowing etc but I’d say going as close to publication order in general as you can.
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u/PROBIwan 11d ago
Word and Void. Origin story of sorts. My personal fave.
But if you started with Elfstones might as well just go to the next one. Wishsong and then Druid.
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u/ShawnSpeakman 11d ago
Definitely read them in publication order. Less spoiled that way. You probably learned enough about The Sword of Shannara while reading Elfstones that you can read The Wishsong of Shannara next. Then get right to the Heritage four-book series. Happy reading.
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u/SlowGoat79 11d ago
Ah, I envy you. I wish I could read them again for the first time. Enjoy the journey!
(and yes, I'd suggest finishing this trilogy, and then reading the Heritage of Shannara series, and then going from there)
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u/Gregalor 11d ago
Wishsong comes next, and then you’re all set up for my favorite set of Shannara books (Heritage of Shannara). I love what Terry did with the state of the world in Heritage, it must have been very bold at the time.
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u/TheWeirdTalesPodcast 9d ago
Publication order first time through. Chronological ever read after that.
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u/ProfessorKnow1tA11 7d ago
When I discovered Shannara there was only the one, so I’m prejudiced towards reading in publication order!
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u/MaesterPraetor 11d ago
I prefer chronological, but I start with Genesis series as opposed to Demons and the Void series.
I didn't think it spoils anything of value.
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u/brooksbooksshow 11d ago
Publication order is certainly the way to go. There's a lot of details you'll miss along the way if you go chronological, and some books even spoil ones that happen later chronologically.