Has Terry Brooks Discovered Sex?

I don't mean personally, of course, but in his Shannara books.

I've been an avid reader of Brooks' Shannara books since I read Sword of Shannara sometime back in the 1980s. I've devoured each book, and I do believe I've read every one of them.

Maybe my memory is faulty (and if so, somebody please let me know), but there is no mention of anything related to sex in any of the previous books. One character may love another, there may be a kiss or two. But that's about it.

He's telling Kate the shocking secret of Brooks' next book

I recently finished The Measure of the Magic, book 2 (and conclusion) of the Legends of Shannara series. Colour me completely shocked when there was actually a fade-to-black love scene in it! Yes, two characters actually had sex. I was flabbergasted.

I was even more surprised now that I'm reading Wards of Faerie, the first book in the Dark Legacy of Shannara series (and his latest) and there are references to characters taking other characters "into their bed" and one of the more prominent government officials actually taking lovers.

Did somebody spike Brooks' tea while he wasn't looking?

Don't get me wrong. I'm not complaining about it at all. I think it's actually a good thing. These things happen in novels that aren't designed specifically for children. I think that's why the early Shannara books were often recommended for children who were looking for a Tolkien fix (back when kids actually read Tolkien, and no, I'm not comparing the quality of the two writers). Because they were pretty safe. There was violence, but it was never described in great gory detail. No more so than Tolkien's was, anyway.

Don't worry, parents out there. Nothing is explicit, with only the one scene that fades to black before Brooks has to describe anything overtly sexual. It's just the references themselves that are surprising me.

So, after 30+ years, Brooks is finally acknowledging in print that adults have sex.

This is excellent news, because the books might actually feel a little more real (as real as magical fantasy can be, anyway). Normal character relationships can happen.

This will be great as soon as my eyes stop getting all that exercise from bugging out.

Give me a bit of time.