Long ago, the wars of the ancient Evil had ruined the world and forced mankind to compete with many other races — gnomes, trolls, dwarfs, and elves. But in peaceful Shady Vale, half–elfin Shea Ohmsford knew little of such troubles. Then came the giant, forbidding Allanon, possessed of strange Druidic powers, to reveal that the supposedly dead Warlock Lord was plotting to destroy the world. The sole weapon against this Power of Darkness was the Sword of Shannara, which could be used only by a true heir of Shannara. On Shea, last of the bloodline, rested the hope of all the races. Soon a Skull Bearer, dread minion of Evil, flew into the Vale, seeking to destroy Shea. To save the Vale, Shea fled, drawing the Skull Bearer after him …

Ancient Evil threatens the Elves: The ancient tree created by long-lost Elven magic, is dying. When Wil Ohmsford is summoned to guard the Amberle on a perilous quest to gather a new seed for a new tree, he is faced with the Reaper, the most fearsome of all Demons. And Wil is without power to control them

Horror stalked the Four Lands as the Ildatch, ancient source of evil,stirred to new life, sending its ghastly Mord Wraiths to destroyMankind. To win through the vile growth that protected the Ildatch, the DruidAllanon needed Brin Ohmsford -- for she alone held the magic power ofthe wishsong, which could make plants bloom instantly or turn treesfrom green to autumn gold. Reluctantly Brin joined the Druid on hisperilous journey. Then Brin's younger brother Jair learned from themysterious King of the Silver River that Brin was doomed - unless Jaircould reach her in time! So Jair set out through the very heart of evil. And ahead, the Ildatchwaited, nursing its plans to trap Brin into a fate far more horriblethan death!