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The Wishsong of Shannara by Terry Brooks is the third novel in The Original Shannara Trilogy. The story features Jair and Brin Ohmsford, the children of Wil Ohmsford and Eretria from The Elfstones of Shannara. The siblings, each possessing an inherited magic, must save the Four Lands from the evil magic within a tome called the Ildatch.

Plot Summary[]

In the backstory to the novel, before the dawn of mankind, Demons created a book of dark magic. This book was so full of their essence that it became a living thing, with a will of its own. When the Druids gathered all knowledge and lore to themselves in the aftermath of the Great Wars, the book of Ildatch was uncovered after countless millennia. It remained harmless until the Druid Brona found it in the halls of Paranor and began to read its secrets. Brona was subverted by the very power he sought to control; thus, the Warlock Lord was born. Allanon thought the dark book was buried in the destruction of the Skull Kingdom after Shea triumphed over the Warlock Lord, but several of Brona's human servants recovered the book, and began to read.

As the novel begins, Allanon has returned, requiring the aid of yet another generation of Ohmsfords. It is revealed that the Ildatch has possessed a new generation of mortals, the Mord Wraiths, to pick up where the Warlock Lord left off. From their stronghold in the Eastland, the Mord Wraiths have enslaved a Gnome army, sending them against the Dwarves. Allanon needs Brin Ohmsford's magic to enter the Maelmord and destroy the Ildatch. Helping her is Rone Leah, great-grandson of Menion Leah, wielding a sword strengthened by the waters of the Hadeshorn. Jair is left at home, despite his pleas to go with his older sister. However, when Gnomes begin searching Shady Vale itself, Jair flees north, where he meets the King of the Silver River. The ancient spirit informs him that unless he goes to the Eastland, Brin will die. He offers Jair his help, but Jair must first purify the Silver River at its source, having been poisoned by the Mord Wraiths. Jair goes on his quest, joined by the Gnome Slanter and a group from Culhaven, including the Weapons Master Garet Jax. Meanwhile, Brin and Rone watch helplessly as Allanon is struck down by an ancient Demon, a Jachyra. The creature is destroyed, but the last of the Druids is mortally wounded. Before he dies, Allanon marks Brin's line to succeed him. Rone and Brin press on, hopeless. They meet Cogline, a crazy old man who has tamed a moor cat named Whisper, and his granddaughter, Kimber Boh, who help them on their journey. Finally reaching the Ildatch, Brin finds herself unable to destroy it; she becomes possessed by it. The book covets her power, desires her body as a tool to wield its destruction. At the last moment, having purified the River, Jair appears, and the love of her brother snaps Brin out of her trance. She destroys the book. The siblings return home, but at a price: Allanon is dead, along with nearly all of Jair's companions. The shade of Allanon reminds Brin of her trust, and informs her that magic will soon fade from the world again.

Indomitable[]

Indomitable, a short story by Terry Brooks published in Robert Silverberg's Legend II is a continuation of the Wishsong storyline.

Dark Wraith of Shannara[]

Dark Wraith of Shannara is a graphic novel continuing the story of Jair and Slanter as they set out to rescue Kimber Boh and her Grandfather.

Characters[]

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