In the 16 years I’ve maintained a web presence for Terry, fans have asked for three things almost daily: a Shannara movie, more on the Druid Allanon, and more on Garet Jax.
Well, Terry e-published Allanon’s Choice a few months ago, the tale taking place directly before The Sword of Shannara. And now, almost three decades later, Garet Jax is coming back as well!
Here is a bit more about it:
A city besieged by a powerful warlock seeks salvation from a fabled warrior in the second of three gripping new stand-alone eBook short stories set in the world of the fantasy-fiction phenomenon that is Shannara—by beloved New York Times bestselling author Terry Brooks.
His extraordinary—and deadly—skills have earned Garet Jax renown and infamy as the man called the Weapons Master. Rootless, solitary, and endlessly sought after, he roams the Four Lands, loyal to none but himself . . . and whomever can afford his services as warrior, assassin, and avenger for hire. But Lyriana is unlike any who have come to him before: as beautiful as she is bold, as enigmatic as the distant city she is desperate to save, and possessed of an intangible, irresistible allure that entices even the hardened Garet Jax more than any amount of gold or silver ever could.
But the challenge she comes bearing may give even the celebrated Weapons Master pause. The remote city of Tajarin, Lyriana’s home, is being laid to waste by an immensely powerful and boundlessly evil warlock of the deadliest order. With the populace enslaved and no champion to stand against the invader, Tajarin will soon be wiped from the map—perhaps only the first city to fall. Whatever hope exists rests in the deft hands, lethal blades, and unerring instincts of Garet Jax. With righteous fury in his blood, and feelings he has never before known in his heart, he will face the most dire of enemies, and dare the blackest of fates, for the mysterious woman at his side—whose deepest secrets have yet to be revealed.
The weapons master featured in The Wishsong of Shannara has returned in a new short story, one that’s sure to delight fans! Set long before the events of Wishsong, Garet Jax is confronted by a beautiful woman with a terrible need of his services.
He agrees&mdasn;and quickly finds himself enveloped in a situation only he, with his skills, can confront…
But at what price?
Here is some more information about it:
On Sale: January 28, 2013
Pages: 39 | ISBN: 978-0-345-53681-5
Published by : Del Rey
I have read the short story several times in the last few months as the story was edited. I love what Terry has done here. I think Garet Jax fans won’t be disappointed. In fact, I have no doubt that they will be screaming for more weapons master’s stories in the future! Let’s hope Terry gives them to us!
To view which ebook retailers will be carrying The Weapons Master’s Choices, click HERE!
NOTE: And if you don’t have an ereader like the Kindle or Nook, don’t fret! While the story won’t be available in print form until all these short stories are collected into a hardcover many years from now, fans who lack an ereader can download applications for the Kindle (PC | Mac) and Nook (PC | Mac) and read the story on their computer! Just click which link applies in the previous sentence, buy the short story on January 28, 2013, and enjoy a fantastic read!
The Weapons Master’s Choice will be available on January 28, 2013!
Garet Jax is back!
26 responses to “Coming Soon: The Weapons Master’s Choice”
Shawn, will this be available from Sub Press?
No, it won’t be.
Can’t wait! The last “short story” was definitely worth every penny.
These short stories are great! However, they’re doing nothing but making us want these characters in their own standalone books! Hopefully, that’s what Terry is intending…
Looks like I will be downloading those applications right away!
So, all these short stories will be available in print form sometime? Does include Allanon’s Quest? OMG, would love that. I happen to enjoy the turning of the pages.
Yes, many years from now when Terry has written enough short stories, they will be gathered together in a single volume hardcover. But that won’t happen for at least four years, maybe five, since it takes Terry writing at least 12 or 13 short stories first.
Thank you Shawn & of course Terry!
The sad part of this is… We know the end of Garet Jax’s story. No matter how awesome he is in any ‘prequel’ stories… we know how his story ends.
What _I_ want is Cogline’s story. He’s well over 1000 years old at the time of the Talismans, but all we really know is… He’s always an ‘ancient looking’ man, and e’ryone eventually goes to him for something. Bremen, Allanon, Brin, Walker… Everyone seems to need Cogline at some point…
Also, I VERY much want to know about the span of time between The Measure of the Magic and First King of Shannara. There’s a massive gap there.
I recently started reading all the Shannara books, starting with Running with the Demon, and I decided this time to read them in chronological order, by story timeline. It makes so many things apparent in a whole new way reading them like this. It truly is an amazing feat, to write a story spanning so many books, and so many years.
I have to agree about wanting Cogline’s story. I have always wanted more of him. I love the idea of these short stories filling in gaps of information regarding the lives of these people we love.
Read more about young Cogline in the first king of shannara as he made the sword of Shannara . It also briefly explains Cogline left because he was more interested it he old sciences.
Personally I would like to know how bearers of the black staff became druids? I believe that is where we are being lead? any ideas?
I will have to say I would like to seesome stuff with garrett jax , or other weapon masters , other druids , Bremen, and the story why cogline left the order.
Shawn,
Has the central character for the 3rd PALADINS OF SHANNARA short story been decided upon? Hints? Or is Terry taking suggestions? 😉
So I wonder how many of these books are going to be made. I personally would like to know more about the backstory leading into the Warlock lord’s creation… the man who could quite be the greatest villan created in the Shannara realm.
I was wondering if all the short stories might be compiled into a single hardcover book for those of us that don’t have or want an ereader?
Please read the article, Steve. Your answer lies within.
I’m with you on this one Steve, you can’t beat hardback.
Wait a minute I thought Garet Jax died? When he and Jair Omsford went up that mountain to get Brin and Garet met his match with that monster.
This takes place before Wishsong.
In some ways, as fitting as the conclusion of Garet Jax’s saga is, I occasionally find myself wishing that it had later been learned, some years later, that Jax faked his death against the Jachyra after killing it for reasons of his own and had instead gone into quiet seclusion somewhere after the conclusion of the wishsong quest.
I had a friend let me read 1 of terrys books wishsong i like the elfs & omfors i shall read more books thanks terry i can get into ur books
I’ve read and reread all of Terry’s work and always enjoy them. The short stories are fun and even the animated Dark Wraith was great as it introduced my young kids to Terry’s work. But in my admitted selfishness i have one wish from Shannara; A story about Brona, and his followers. Some history on his life as a real man and druid would be very interesting to me. Thanks for all the great reads!
So since you are giving in to our demands when does the Shannara movie come out??? 🙂
That’s sadly not up to Terry. It’s up to Hollywood.
awww I can’t read on a nook or the computer w/o getting massive sick headaches for some reason so guess i’ll just have to wait the several years to enjoy these stories :(.
I get the “new reader” rationale but….I ALWAYS wait until I get all three. Sooo much more enjoyable for me.