''TERRY''S PLACE IS AT THE HEAD OF THE FANTASY WORLD'' Philip Pullman

The first book of the triumphant four-part conclusion to the Shannara series, from one of the all-time masters of fantasy.

The age of peace that has reigned across the Four Lands is now at an end. An army of invaders, wielding a terrible new magic, is cutting a bloody swathe across the far north . . .

The fate of the world now rests on the shoulders of an exiled druid, a conflicted warrior and a young woman struggling to master a powerful magic. As the conflict grows, they will face dangerous adversaries and deadly challenges - and the consequences of their actions will determine the future of the Four Lands.

Through twenty-eight novels written over the course of forty years, Terry Brooks''s Shannara series has entranced millions of readers around the world. Now, with The Black Elfstone - the first book in the Fall of Shannara - Terry begins to bring his epic vision to a grand conclusion.

''I can''t even begin to count how many of Terry Brooks''s books I''ve read (and re-read) over the years'' Patrick Rothfuss

''I would not be writing epic fantasy today if not for Shannara'' Peter V. Brett

''A master of the craft . . . required reading'' Brent Weeks

''TERRY''S PLACE IS AT THE HEAD OF THE FANTASY WORLD'' Philip Pullman

The first book of the triumphant four-part conclusion to the Shannara series, from one of the all-time masters of fantasy.

The age of peace that has reigned across the Four Lands is now at an end. An army of invaders, wielding a terrible new magic, is cutting a bloody swathe across the far north . . .

The fate of the world now rests on the shoulders of an exiled druid, a conflicted warrior and a young woman struggling to master a powerful magic. As the conflict grows, they will face dangerous adversaries and deadly challenges - and the consequences of their actions will determine the future of the Four Lands.

Through twenty-eight novels written over the course of forty years, Terry Brooks''s Shannara series has entranced millions of readers around the world. Now, with The Black Elfstone - the first book in the Fall of Shannara - Terry begins to bring his epic vision to a grand conclusion.

''I can''t even begin to count how many of Terry Brooks''s books I''ve read (and re-read) over the years'' Patrick Rothfuss

''I would not be writing epic fantasy today if not for Shannara'' Peter V. Brett

''A master of the craft . . . required reading'' Brent Weeks