Terry Brooks' Imaginary Friends: A Hidden Gem in the Word/Void Universe
Terry Brooks Imaginary Friends Epub Download: A Short Story That Inspired a Fantasy Series
If you are a fan of contemporary fantasy novels, you might have heard of Terry Brooks, the bestselling author of the Word/Void series. But did you know that he wrote a short story called Imaginary Friends that was the precursor to his popular trilogy? In this article, we will tell you everything you need to know about Imaginary Friends by Terry Brooks, including what it is about, how it connects to the Word/Void series, why you should read it, and how to download it for free.
terry brooks imaginary friends epub download
What is Imaginary Friends by Terry Brooks?
A brief summary of the plot and characters
Imaginary Friends is a short story that was first published in 1991 in an anthology called Once Upon a Time, edited by Lester del Rey. It tells the story of Jack McCall, a 13-year-old boy who lives in Hopewell, Illinois. Jack has a happy life with his parents, his best friend Waddy, and his dog Nest. But one day, he discovers that he has a brain tumor that will kill him in a few weeks. He also learns that he has a special gift: he can see and communicate with imaginary friends, who are actually magical creatures from another world.
One of these imaginary friends is Pick, an elven creature who lives in Sinnissippi Park, a mysterious place where Jack is forbidden to go. Pick tells Jack that he is a Knight of the Word, a chosen one who can wield a powerful magic that can heal or destroy. He also warns him that there is an evil force called the Void that wants to kill him and use his gift for evil. Together with Pick and his owl Daniel, Jack embarks on a quest to find the magic that can save his life and stop the Void.
The publication history and availability of the ebook
Imaginary Friends was out of print for two decades until Terry Brooks decided to re-release it as an ebook in 2011. He did this because he wanted to share his original vision for the Word/Void series with his fans. He also added an introduction and an afterword to explain how he came up with the idea for the short story and how he developed it into a trilogy.
You can buy Imaginary Friends by Terry Brooks as an ebook from various online platforms such as Amazon Kindle, Barnes & Noble Nook, Apple Books, Google Play Books, Kobo, and Smashwords. The price ranges from $0.99 to $2.99 depending on the platform. You can also find some free samples or excerpts of the ebook on some websites such as Goodreads or OceanofPDF.
How Imaginary Friends by Terry Brooks relates to the Word/Void series
The similarities and differences between the short story and the trilogy
Imaginary Friends is considered to be a prequel or a prototype of the Word/Void series, which consists of three novels: Running with the Demon (1997), A Knight of the Word (1998), and Angel Fire East (1999). The series follows the adventures of John Ross, a Knight of the Word who travels the world to fight the Void, and Nest Freemark, a young girl who inherits Jack's gift and lives in Sinnissippi Park.
There are many similarities between Imaginary Friends and the Word/Void series, such as the setting, the characters, the themes, and the tone. For example, both stories take place in Hopewell, Illinois, and feature Sinnissippi Park as a magical place where the Word and the Void clash. Both stories also have Jack McCall and Pick as main characters, although they have different roles and personalities in each story. Both stories also explore the concepts of good and evil, fate and free will, life and death, and magic and reality.
However, there are also some differences between Imaginary Friends and the Word/Void series, such as the plot, the style, and the genre. For example, Imaginary Friends is a short story that focuses on Jack's personal journey and his relationship with Pick, while the Word/Void series is a trilogy that expands on the larger conflict between the Word and the Void and introduces more characters and subplots. Imaginary Friends is also written in a simpler and more straightforward style than the Word/Void series, which has more complex and lyrical prose. Imaginary Friends is also more of a fantasy story than a contemporary story, while the Word/Void series blends both genres.
The significance of Sinnissippi Park and the elven creature Pick
Sinnissippi Park is a key location in both Imaginary Friends and the Word/Void series. It is a large park that contains a forest, a lake, a river, and a Native American burial mound. It is also a portal to another world where magical creatures live, such as elves, fairies, trolls, gnomes, dragons, and demons. Sinnissippi Park is where Jack meets Pick and learns about his destiny as a Knight of the Word. It is also where Nest Freemark grows up and protects the park from the Void with her magic.
Pick is an elven creature who appears in both Imaginary Friends and the Word/Void series. He is small, green-skinned, pointy-eared, and has wings. He can fly, talk to animals, manipulate plants, and use magic. He is also very old, wise, sarcastic, and loyal. He is Jack's mentor and friend in Imaginary Friends, teaching him about the Word and the Void and helping him find his magic. He is also Nest's companion and guardian in the Word/Void series, watching over her since she was a baby and aiding her in her battles against the Void.
Why you should read Imaginary Friends by Terry Brooks
The benefits of reading short stories in general
Reading short stories can be a rewarding and enjoyable experience for many reasons. Some of these reasons are:
Short stories are quick and easy to read. You can finish them in one sitting or in between other tasks without losing track of the plot or forgetting the details.
Short stories are diverse and versatile. You can find short stories in any genre, style, theme, or topic that suits your taste or mood. You can also discover new authors or genres that you might not have tried before.
Short stories are creative and stimulating. You can appreciate how writers craft their stories with limited words and space. You can also use your imagination to fill in the gaps or interpret the endings.
Short stories are educational and inspirational. You can learn new facts or perspectives from different cultures or historical periods. You can also get inspired by the messages or morals of the stories.
The appeal of Terry Brooks' writing style and fantasy world
Terry Brooks is one of the most popular and influential fantasy writers of our time. He has written over 30 novels in various series such as Shannara, Landover, Genesis of Shannara, Legends of Shannara, Defenders of Shannara, Fall of Shannara, Magic Kingdom for Sale/Sold!, The Dark Legacy of Shannara etc.. He has millions of fans around the world who love his writing style and fantasy world. Some of his writing style features are:
He writes in a clear and engaging way that draws you into his stories.
He creates vivid and detailed descriptions that make you feel like you are there.
He builds complex and believable characters that you care about.
He develops intriguing and original plots that keep you hooked.
How to download Imaginary Friends by Terry Brooks for free
The legal and ethical issues of downloading ebooks for free
Before you decide to download Imaginary Friends by Terry Brooks for free, you should be aware of the legal and ethical issues involved. Downloading ebooks for free without the author's permission or paying for them is considered piracy, which is a form of theft and a violation of intellectual property rights. Piracy can have negative consequences for both the authors and the readers, such as:
Piracy can reduce the income and motivation of the authors, who spend a lot of time and effort to create their books. This can affect their ability to produce more quality books in the future.
Piracy can damage the reputation and credibility of the authors, who may be accused of plagiarism or fraud if their books are altered or misused by pirates.
Piracy can expose the readers to malware or viruses that may harm their devices or compromise their personal information.
Piracy can deprive the readers of the full experience and enjoyment of reading the books, as they may miss out on the features or updates that come with the official versions.
Therefore, it is advisable to respect the rights and wishes of the authors and to support their work by buying their books legally from authorized sources. This way, you can also show your appreciation and gratitude for their creativity and talent.
The best sources and websites to find Imaginary Friends by Terry Brooks epub download
If you still want to download Imaginary Friends by Terry Brooks for free, you should be careful and selective about the sources and websites you use. There are many websites that claim to offer free ebooks, but not all of them are reliable or safe. Some of them may contain fake or incomplete files, broken or malicious links, spam or pop-up ads, or illegal or inappropriate content. To avoid these risks, you should look for reputable and trustworthy websites that provide high-quality and legitimate ebooks. Some of these websites are:
Project Gutenberg: This is one of the oldest and largest online libraries that offers over 60,000 free ebooks in various formats, including epub. You can find classic books from public domain here, as well as some newer books that are donated by authors or publishers.
Open Library: This is a part of the Internet Archive that aims to create a web page for every book ever published. You can access over 20 million books here, including some rare and out-of-print books. You can borrow, read, or download ebooks in epub format for free.
ManyBooks: This is a website that offers over 50,000 free ebooks in various genres and languages. You can browse, search, or filter ebooks by categories, popularity, ratings, reviews, or recommendations. You can also download ebooks in epub format for free.
LibriVox: This is a website that offers free audiobooks of public domain books. You can listen to them online or download them in mp3 format. You can also volunteer to read or record audiobooks for others to enjoy.
These are some of the best sources and websites to find Imaginary Friends by Terry Brooks epub download for free. However, you should always check the terms and conditions of each website before using them and respect their rules and policies.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Imaginary Friends by Terry Brooks is a short story that inspired a fantasy series called Word/Void. It tells the story of Jack McCall, a boy who has a brain tumor and a magical gift that makes him a Knight of the Word. He meets an elven creature called Pick who helps him find his magic and fight against an evil force called the Void. The short story is related to the Word/Void series in terms of setting, characters, themes, and tone. It is also a great example of Terry Brooks' writing style and fantasy world. You can buy or download Imaginary Friends by Terry Brooks as an ebook from various online platforms or websites. However, you should be aware of the legal and ethical issues of downloading ebooks for free and use only reliable and safe sources.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the genre of Imaginary Friends by Terry Brooks?
Imaginary Friends by Terry Brooks is a fantasy short story that blends elements of contemporary fiction and urban fantasy.
Who are the main characters of Imaginary Friends by Terry Brooks?
The main characters of Imaginary Friends by Terry Brooks are Jack McCall, a 13-year-old boy who has a brain tumor and a magical gift; Pick, an elven creature who lives in Sinnissippi Park and mentors Jack; and Daniel, an owl who accompanies Pick.
What is the Word and the Void in Imaginary Friends by Terry Brooks?
The Word and the Void are two opposing forces that represent good and evil, light and dark, creation and destruction. They are constantly at war with each other, and they use Knights of the Word and servants of the Void to fight for their causes.
How long is Imaginary Friends by Terry Brooks?
Imaginary Friends by Terry Brooks is about 8,500 words long, which is equivalent to about 30 pages.
Is Imaginary Friends by Terry Brooks part of a series?
Imaginary Friends by Terry Brooks is not part of a series, but it is a prequel or a prototype of the Word/Void series, which consists of three novels: Running with the Demon, A Knight of the Word, and Angel Fire East.
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