Today is Valentine’s Day!
Therefore, a simple poll question today.
Terry is known for his Shannara series, where he has created a large world populated with the heroic and the villainous. Yet with the exception of a few books, love plays an important role in almost all of his stories. Love is an important thing, after all, and it is important the heroes—and the reader—know what can be lost if good does not defeat evil.
There have been a number of romantic relationships throughout the years. Wil and Amberle. Wil and Eretria. Brin and Rone. Menion and Shirl. Morgan and Quickening. Par and Damson. Bek and Little Red. Michael and Fresh. Pen and Cinnaminson. Redden/Railing and Mirai Leah. Aphenglow and Cymrian. John Ross and Josie Jackson. Logan Tom and Simralin. Hawk and Tessa. Ben and Willow. The list goes on and on.
Today’s poll: Which couple is your favorite?
I have to say, my favorite is Morgan and Quickening. Their love is a Shakespearean type of tragedy, and I’ve always been drawn to that kind of couple for some odd reason.
What do you like best? And why?
25 responses to “Poll: Best Valentine’s Day Terry Brooks Couple?”
Wil and Amberle. You have the girl but can never truly have… how tragic!
I think the same is true with Morgan Leah and Quickening (why I voted on them). It was the love story that touched me the most! But I like Wil and Amberle as well 🙂
Excuse me? What about Arling and Cymrian? They were perfect! Other than them I agree with Morgan and Quickening.
I only know the Landover characters so far. I am not fond of Willow, but I do think it is time for Abernathy and Elizabeth to end up together. Despite their age difference they make an adorable couple.
I voted Logan Tom and Simralin, because of the high stakes and because each had to sacrifice in order to save the other. In doing so they were rewarded with a second chance.
Although I do like the other 2 couples commented on and there’s something to be said for the tragedy and heartbreak involved in each.
I voted for Logan and Sim for much the same reason: the terrible struggle that each has to go through before finally falling in love gives their romance added meaning, somehow.
So, what are the chances of a same sex couple at some point. The whole world isn’t straight , you know, you could throw in a bi dude or gal. A large part of your readership will cheer you on!
Terry did this already. You just missed it. Go back and read Genesis of Shannara.
Well I missed it too but I read that. Who was it?
I’ve read all the books. I know who Michael is but who is fresh?
Time for a re-read, I guess. 😉
I voted Morgan and Quickening mostly out of nostalgia, but man that was a tough choice. I didn’t realize how much I cared about so many of those romances – Aphenglow and Cymrian! Ben and Willow! John Ross and Josie Jackson! Fantastic.
As a side note, I am happy for people to read whatever kind of stories they want to, but I find it really frustrating when people think that artists should be required to include particular groups just to make a point. If it’s right for the artist’s goal, he or she will include non-traditional relationships. If not, he or she won’t. Personally, I am not interested in seeing same-sex relationships in what I read, but I have nothing against people who do. This doesn’t make me a bigot – it’s just a preference, just like some people like to read about fantasy, others scifi. Some people like to read about the Middle Ages, some about the 1920s. Same thing with what people like to write about. I like to read about heterosexual love because it’s something I respond to. I imagine the same is true for Terry Brooks. Perhaps as an artist he also responds to stories about same-sex relationships (I don’t remember the Genesis of Shannara same-sex relationship, to be honest) but demanding that he be just seems strange to me.
Let me be clear: I have nothing against writers depicting same-sex relationships, and nothing against readers who like stories about such topics. But nobody should have to be interested in that story element if they’re not. Egalitarianism should be permitted all around, not just in one direction.
Well said Anthony. I totally agree with you. Not to delve too deeply into a touchy subject, but that is something that should not be forced upon someone. It is possible to be accepting and understanding without having a desire to see it or hear it.
I’m not usually a fan of the mushy mushy stuff… but Morgan and Quickening’s saga did strike a nerve with me. Very well written and very tragic…. they received my vote!
Hawk and Tessa were a very annoying couple. Sorta like how you see one of your buddies with his girlfriend.
I voted for Brin and Rone because Wishsong has to be the best book Terry has written next to Elfstones, which Will and Amberle was my second choice. And then Morgon and Quickening wasn’t that the Heritage series? All in all, the first 7 books by Terry has to be the most epic and fantasy driven books including High Druid. The other books are just lacking in someway. The new Paladin series is always my favorite.
Will there be a Romance novel in Terry Brooks future, now that Shannara is coming to an end in Druid Blade series?
I vote for Shea and Leah! Which wasn’t on the list. The Sword of Shannara, which I always thought Shea was suppose to be female, and it was just an editorial error that he wasn’t she. And don’t forget Flint, who always seemed a bit lonely maybe he can maybe with a gnome!
Bek and little red all day there relationship was so great for me
Since the topic was brought up. The “love” a couple (of any kind) shares is not a problem, it’s depicting in too much detail the “act” of love that cheapens a book or movie for me. That is a private thing between to people. If you compare Terry’s “love” scenes to say HBO’s Game of Thrones series you will get my point. I wanted to watch that series, but after a scene in the first season, I felt it was in poor taste to depict the act of love to endorse or “show” the audience non traditional couples. Terry has always focused on the love between family, friends and yes couples but he doesn’t step over the boundaries of privacy and lets us fill in the blanks. I don’t care for too much reality in my fantasy. So I like that some people can keep the pen and the cameras out of the bedroom. There has never been a need to flaunt it or “come out” and I mean no offense here but I don’t see a need to tell the world. So your gay or straight, so what, can we get on with the story now?
Jeff, I appreciate and agree with your position concerning romantic love. Something I have appreciated about Terry’s treatment of romance is he lets us know what is going on between people without excessive detail – which to me rarely contributes to the art of the book. I feel this way regardless of the traditionality or non-traditionality of the couples in question.
None of the above!!!
(Don’t tell Terry.) 😉
I think Jeff is wrong! While I appreciate your point of view and your wish to censorship fantasy writing, you are far behind the times. Like it or not, but nudity and sex is everywhere in the industry. Comics have alcoholism, smoking, and partial nudity. Computer games like Morrowind, Oblivion, and Skyrim have full nudity mods. Books like 50 Shades of Grey, Naked Battle Elves by Ryan Erin, Steampunk Erotica, and the long history of Romance Novels that have a Medevial Theme, have no problem describing sex in full detail. While Margret Weis may write a bedroom scene by Kitara kicking her boots off … with Tanis. Today these books are no longer considered YA pocket books, they are enjoyed by a more mature audience that have no problem with sexuality in their novels. Like Game of Thrones, Spartacus, Rome, and Magic City! Censorship is wrong in any form… from music, books, to TV. Just slap a sticker on it or wrap it in clear plastic!
Jeff said that he finds graphic depictions of sex to be in poor taste and so decides not to watch/read such stories. That is not censorship, that’s just having preferences. You can read your stories and he and I can read ours without having to have them be exactly the same, wouldn’t you agree? There’s nothing behind the times about wanting to have entertainment that matches your preferences, in my view.
I don’t know all the couples yet. Just finished Straken, and have to squeeze in Word before going on. I have liked all the couples so far.
I prefer the ones that last. Bek and Little Red, who go on to be parents and go on more adventures, as well as having a “normal” life. They work, together, in their own business. And twenty years later, they’re still saying “I love you” to each other.
The tragic losses hurt too much. The first love that will never been seen again.
And the couples aren’t all the same. The bit of passion (wee bit) between Bek and Little Red was fine. Not everyone in all the novels is full of passion. That’s also not the reason I’m reading the novels.
The same way couples are in life, some are very passionate, some are more companionable, or friendly/playful, or quiet/understanding.
This is all emotion, emotional actions and reactions. Another emotion might be anger in the books. Some are very angry, plotting revenge, while others anger lightly and apologize.
Not every character is an extreme, and not every action/reaction needs in-depth coverage. I can definitely do without vulgarities and blatant adult situations. I think the rest of the world has that all covered.
What about Panther and Cat?
Just finished Measure (I’m reading in new reader order). Found the hints of what happened, but would love to have followed along in their journeys.
Those two, in one way, were least likely to pair up with anyone, let alone with each other.
Very intriguing couple. Neither had vast royal (or otherwise) backgrounds, extensive blood relatives, long histories. They came out of the blue, and set off into it at well.