Rating: 
Summary: It's still a great story!
Review: I enjoyed the new characters of the story and am still trying to figure out who and how they transported Grianne. Pen's talents add a wonderful flavor to the story. I wish that Terry Brooks could have given us a little bit more to chew on as to whom the ultimate catalyst for banishing Grianne and for what purpose.
Rating: 
Summary: Exciting and well constructed
Review: I enjoyed this book. I thought it was well thought out and easy to read. Sometimes Terry Brooks has a tendency to over-do (good) description which leads to bogging down his stories. I did not think this was the case here. The plot moved along very well and kept me page-turning throughout.
While characters were well-developed and we get a sense of who they are and want to learn more about them later, I thought that the number of characters and parallel perspectives made it more difficult for Brooks to allow us into the heads of these characters as well as he usually does.
Overall, I loved the story and characters and I am looking forward to the next volume in this series.
Rating: 
Summary: could have been better
Review: I expected more after hearing how this was basically a continued story of the Voyage trilogy. I know Terry Brooks likes to bring new heroes into the fold and not bring back any of the old characters except the Druids. This time it is Pen, the offspring of Bek from the Voyage series. This is a part I had a problem with. I grew with Bek and was looking forward to seeing him as a grown man 20 years later. I was even expecting it with the slight build up at the beginning of the book when they were talking about Grianne brother and to "watch out" for him if they are going to mess with her. Yet Bek doesn't even stop by for a quick hello. Instead we are stuck with Pen who is basically Bek in the Voyage trilogy growth wise so I feel like I am going through the same story again as far as the main character is concerned. I am disappointed with that but at least Terry tells a good story so I was mostly entertained. The air ship chase, again, reminded me of the Voyage series but there was enough mystery and random events going on that keeps the story interesting. The true gem of this book is the Forbidding, I don't want to spoil it but I will only say I am looking forward to reading more about this place in the 2nd book. All in all, if you like Terry Brooks I would recommend this novel. If you are starting out with his stories I would recommend The Voyage of the Jerle Shannara first. This could be an unfair opinion based on who I was expecting (and hoping) the characters would be in this story.
Rating:
Summary: Brooks is Back on Track!!!
Review: I have been a fan of Terry Brooks and the various Shannara books for 20 years, anxiously awaiting each new series in the ongoing tale. However, I must admit the last trilogy, The Voyage of the Jerele Shannara (TVotJS), was not up to par with the high expectations I have for Terry Brooks writings. While the trilogy did have new settings and characters I thought that many of the story plots and themes had been written about before and just redressed for this trilogy. I awaited the release of the High Druid of Shannara (THDoS) series with caution.Just a few days ago my wife purchased the first book on THDoS series for me JARKA RUUS (JR) and I found that Brooks had recaptured what I originally so liked about the Shannara series. In this book Brooks brings back some familiar people and places. Several characters from the TVotJS have returned. Most importantly Grianne Ohmsford, the former Ilse Witch, in her current role as Ard Rhys the current leader of the third druid council. Grianne Ohmsford was one of my favorite characters from the TVotJS and I think she makes a great druid, much better than Walker Boh. Aside from the characters and magic that marks all his books this series has a great story, just as good as THE FIRST KING OF SHANNARA (TFKoS) and right behind THE ELFSTONES OF SHANNARA (TEoS). I have always like TEoS and there are strong links to TEoS in JR. If you have read TEoS and enjoyed reading about the different demons and wondered just what the Forbidding that held them back was about then this story will answer a lot of those questions. Also, the Warlock Lord makes a cameo appearance of sorts in this book. The only thing I did not care for in this book was the abrupt ending. I know its part of a series but I feel that each book in a series should have some kind of closure or resolve at least for some of the minor sub-plots. Not this book!! It actually increases the suspense and then ends abruptly leaving the reader somewhat upset at being left to dangle for an entire year. Lastly, Brooks seems to be back on the right track with the Shannara series. I can not wait until summer 2004 to pick up TANEQUIL and continue with this great story.
Rating:
Summary: Good, but too short
Review: I love Brooks writing. I've never been disappointed...well, some of that Wizard at Large series was a bit silly, but I digress. My disappointment lies in the length of the books in his latest endevours. All three installments of the VJS trilogy were fairly short, by fantasy novel standards. I fear that this latest series will be the same. So, my review is, "It's a fun read, and a good set-up for the next couple of books, but I finished it in like three days!" Whatever happened to the big fat stories like "Sword of Shannara" that you started us out on? Surely, it's not a money issue?! Hmmm....
Rating: 
Summary: Terry Brooks - please come home
Review: I own and have enjoyed ever other book that Terry has ever written. Unfortunately this one was a big disapointment. Even though it is probably the shortest book he has written in a while it really had very little in it. Given that I have fallen into the one-a-year trap, this one was a big disapointment. I will buy the next book when it comes out a year from now.. and just hope Terry finds himself back. PLEASE if you have never read a Terry Brooks book don't buy this one first, read any of the previos works and then if you feel a loyalty as myself and most of the other reviewers here seem to, buy this one just to be nice to Terry.
Rating:
Summary: Good and Bad...
Review: I own and have read everything by Terry Brooks... He is the only fantasy Author i read.... but i have to admit that this latest book... just released on soft cover... is a little dissapointing.
Grianne is AMAZING... the book starts off with her and you are taken in by her situation... and cant help but read on to find out what happens.
But the problems start when Pen Ohmsford is introduced... i feel like everything is a little too rushed... a little too perfect and a little too convenient... i cant really put my finger on it... but something about it i dont like.
I hope this improves with the next book.... but this one is deff worth the read for all Terry fans... for the Grianne bits at least!
Rating:
Summary: Up to the challenge
Review: I'm not a huge Terry Brooks fan. When I recieved this book as a present, I wasn't too sure if I would like it. So I set up the challenge: to prove to me that Brooks could write a good book. And I have to say, wow. It's not perfect, but it is really close. It is very good, and I very recommend it. I'm even looking forward to the next one in the set! Have fun reading this!
Rating:
Summary: Brooks writing is better than ever.
Review: I've been a fan of Terry Brook's Shannara books since they first came out in the late 70's. The most common criticism that Terry has stayed "complacently" in the old groove is perhaps true on one level, BUT what they don't always mention is that Terry's writing has moved forward in subtle ways with each new trilogy. His story telling is masterful and always enjoyable.
Rating:
Summary: Same old things
Review: If you have read Terry Brooks first book and all the book that followed the first one (Shanara serries) then you will notice a patern.
1. Trouble
2. Someone visit the main character and ask him/her to solve the problem
3. The main character has to go just because theres no one else to go
4. They are always at odds and almost the entire Four Land is their enemy
5. Theres romance. And it happen in a blink of an eye or a snap of a finger
6. Theres always internal strugle
7. Hate to say it but theres always resemblance to Lord Of the Rings but maybe thats the only way the story can be told.
8. You will be wanting to read the next book because Terry Brooks is such a good writer and the world of Four Land is as enchanting as ever.
If you can spare your time and money, this book is worth it. Alas for people who already read all of his other book, the story becomes somewhat repetitive. Terry brook should come with new idea
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