As a fan who has journeyed through the Four Lands and beyond with Terry Brooks for over four decades, “Small Magic” feels like a homecoming. This collection of short stories, spanning from 1977 to 2020, is a treasure trove of nostalgia and new adventures. Each tale is a thread in the rich tapestry of Brooks’ literary worlds—Shannara, Magic Kingdom, and The Word and the Void.

In “Small Magic,” we revisit beloved characters and witness their battles, both epic and personal. We learn of Garet Jax’s childhood, follow Allanon’s quest to find Shea Ohmsford, and accompany an old wing-rider in his final days. The Knights of the Word fight demons both within and without, while Ben Holiday and his daughter face the unique challenges of Landover.

This collection is not just a walk down memory lane; it’s a celebration of the magic that Brooks has woven into our lives. The stories are intimate yet grand, reminding us why we fell in love with his writing in the first place. ( )

I received a free ebook ARC through Netgalley.com for exchange of a review.

I have been an avid fan of Brooks' Shannara and The Word and the Void series for many years, so having this become available through Netgalley.com was a very happy moment for me! Unfortunately, those series have come to an end (per the author) and Brooks has moved on to another story to share with readers. But that will be talked about another time...

Small Magic is a collection of short stories written 'through the years' by the author, and as the description says, encompasses the worlds of his popular series. As I read through these snippets of time in-between the books themselves, I had realized there were at least a couple I knew I had read before, but it was still a pleasure to return to that time and place as well. Brooks has placed a short introduction to each story, giving the reader a chance to understand where in the series time-line it would fall, and sometimes includes snippets of what he was thinking when writing them. Most did not interfere with any of the storyline in the books, but would help add some background character development, or interaction, and some more world-building.

I found it to be very entertaining, as well as in the same writing style Brooks has shared with his tales. Some I found to be a tad long, but I believe mostly because it related to a story, or series, that I was not familiar with, such as the The Magic Kingdom series, and I believe the first story, written early in his years, based off of a Poul Anderson story. A tad disappointed I read through them so quickly, but am excited to have had a chance to enjoy the stories! ( )