Earlier today, Orbit revealed the incredible cover art for the latest Shannara book coming to a book shop near you in March 2014. The High Druid’s Blade will be the first of three new stand-alone titles set in the Shannara universe.
The UK version of the cover was done by the talented Bastien Lecouffe Deharme and looks to be moving towards more of a Brent Week/Peter V. Brett style cover than the more usual J.R.R. Tolkien/Robert Jordan/George R.R. Martin type covers that many of the previous books seem to have been inspired by:
THE HIGH DRUID’S BLADE features a brand new hero Paxon Leah – a young man who believes himself to be ordinary, but fate will prove him to be very different indeed . . . Anna Gregson of Orbit said: “It’s one of the most exciting fantasy stories I’ve read in a long time! Secrets are revealed, powers are unleashed, and you’ll see a whole new side to Shannara you never knew existed.”
Here is the official blurb:
Legend has it that Paxon Leah is descended from the royals and warriors who once waged war with magical weapons. But those heroes are long gone now, and there is nothing enchanted about the antique sword that hangs above Paxon’s fireplace. Paxon leads a quiet life – until extraordinary circumstances overturn his simple world . . . and rewrite his destiny.
When his sister is abducted by a mysterious stranger, Paxon races to her rescue with the only weapon he can find. He is stunned to discover powerful magic unleashed within him – and within his ancestors’ ancient blade.
But his formidable new ability is dangerous in untrained hands. Paxon must master it quickly, as his near-fatal clash with a dark sorcerer won’t be his last. Leaving behind home and hearth, he journeys to the keep of the Druid order to learn the secrets of magic and earn the right to become their sworn protector . . .
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If you can’t wait until then, the final book of the Dark Legacy of Shannara, Witch Wraith, has just been released and is available through Amazon or your local bookshop now! 🙂
Julia Kitvaria Sarene
Many of the classic fantasy tropes seem to be in there, and I say good. It will nice to read something like this again in the current climate.