Running with the Demon question

I would not recommend starting with this book.
Here's a link to Terry's suggestion of a reading order.
http://www.terrybrooks.net/novels/rea...

Definitely start with The Sword of Shannara original trilogy. Each of the other books will make references to previous books that you've read (if you follow his order) and it will be a more complete experience.

That being said, I'm sure the Word & Void trilogy would be fine by themselves, but if you're meaning to read the entirety of Shannara, then follow Terry's recommendation.

Running With the Demon is not part of the Shannara series, it's the first in a trilogy of it's own.Running with the Demon A Knight of the Wordand Angel Fire East. I read them a few years back and thought they were great.

while technically not part of the Shannara series...its the beginning of that world and how it came to be

As a Terry Brooks Fan I would suggest that you don't even consider "Running with the Demon" until you've read "The Sword of Shannara" through the "Wishsong of Shannara". Although Brooks ties them all together "Running with the Demon" and the books that follow read more like a supernatural suspense rather than Fantasy.

Publication order is always the rule of thumb I use, and it won't steer you wrong in this case. Sword/Elfstones/Wishsong is really where the quality's at. After that you can move ahead or back in time, whichever interests you. I didn't care for the Word & Void books at all.

Having read the sword of shannara first helped pull me through the word and void trilogy. I would not normally read word and void like stories but once committed they were pretty good.

I enjoyed the children of armageddon series much more (follows word and void chronologically). That series contained most of the world bridging details I was looking for and the characters and plot were entertaining.

for new readers for Brooks, no, but for re-readers yes.

Terry Himself Recomends you start at Sword of Shannara for new readers

Deval If you go to Terry Brooks web site he has a list for the best order to read the books in. It says to start with the sword of Shanara I believe.

yes no need to say more

Nooooooo start with the Shannara series

I have to confess I have never read the original series and had no idea these books were connected when I read them when I was younger. The Word and the Void series is still one of my favourites and the continuing series starting with Armageddons's Children was brilliant.

I'm not saying this to be contrary but I have the opposing view of everyone here. I did read Sword / Elfstones and Wishong many decades back but I recently returned to the series and read them in chronological order. I found it a boon. I loved watching Earth's decay through the Word and the Void, delighted in the time between times of Genesis of Shannara and then sequentially headed through a reread of all the other books.
The rise of the demons and the fall of man tied all the future stories together in a way that gave me a greater understanding and appreciation of the books.
Additionally, I personally think Word and Void and Genesis are actually much better written and plotted (not to detract from the other works). Mr Brooks skill has evolved over the intervening years and much as I love the traditional books, these prequels are among my favourite works by any author.
CJH

Deval - These are by far my favorite Brooks novels. I highly recommend them. As for them being the start of the Shannara series, I always felt that was just a contrivance that these books morphed into the prequel. They are wonderful as a stand alone series.