Shield of Sparrows
fantasy romance
Series · epic fantasy
The First Druids of Shannara
The First Druids of Shannara series by Terry Brooks has 1 book and is best read in publication order, starting with Galaphile (2025). The next book, Brona, is due 25 August 2026.
- Books
- 1 book
- First published
- 2025
- Status
- ongoing
- Last checked
Start here: Galaphile (2025) — then read straight through in publication order.
Reading order
The order the books were released — the default way to read the series.
- Book 1:
Galaphile
Alternative text for cover: Cover of Galaphile
About The First Druids of Shannara
Terry Brooks's First Druids of Shannara is a prequel series set at the true beginning of the Druid order, centuries before the events of the Original Shannara Trilogy. Galaphile (2025) tells the origin story of the series' namesake, an Elf who survives the Great Wars as a friendless teenage orphan stranded among Men, and who grows -- under the tutelage of the reclusive mage Cogline -- into the powerful sorcerer who will gather the Four Lands' most learned men and women and found the Druid order at Paranor. It's the last Shannara novel written solely by Brooks: starting with the series' second book, Delilah S. Dawson joins as co-author, with Brooks continuing to provide the storyline and revision notes.
Brona, the second book, continues the story into the next generation, following the sons of Galaphile and his partner Nirianne as they grow up in the peace their father built -- and as the seeds of the corruption that will eventually produce Brona, the legendary dark power haunting the rest of the Shannara saga, begin to take root. As the series' internal chronology, this sits before every other Shannara sub-series tracked on this site, functioning as the true prehistory of the entire saga.
Frequently asked questions
What is First Druids of Shannara?
A prequel series to the entire Shannara saga, telling the true origin story of the Druid order and its founder, Galaphile, centuries before the Original Shannara Trilogy.
Do I need to have read other Shannara books before starting First Druids of Shannara?
No — this series was designed as a fresh entry point, chronologically earlier than every other Shannara sub-series.
Is Galaphile the last Shannara book written solely by Terry Brooks?
Yes. Starting with the series' second book, Brona, Delilah S. Dawson joins as co-author, with Brooks providing the storyline and revisions.
Who is Brona?
The legendary dark power that haunts the rest of the Shannara saga; the second book in this series follows the sons of Galaphile as the seeds of Brona's eventual corruption take root.
Is First Druids of Shannara finished?
No — it's an active, ongoing series; only Galaphile has been published as of this writing, with Brona confirmed as the next book.
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