Rating: 
Summary: Brooks Is Back
Review: Having greatly disliked the The Voyage of the Jerle Shannara series, I picked up this book with some trepidation. I ended up being quite pleased. While the book is nothing original -- your usual batch of druids, Ohmsford's, and a daring journey -- it is still a great and fun read. The characters are much better developed than the previous series and the action sustained pretty much from page one. This certainly isn't great fantasy on the level of early Jordan, George R. R. Martin, and certainly not Tolkien, but it's still a fun read. I look forward to the next book.
Rating: 
Summary: Mr. Brooks returns to the well
Review: All of his Shannara books are pretty much the same: A quiet youth gets their "life changed forever" when they get wisked away on an inprobable quest to save the world. Some companions are picked up along the way, they get in several close scrapes, and eventually "believe in themselves" and save the day. If you're looking for something original or revolutionary, I'd avoid Terry Brooks. However, if you're looking for "Lord of the Rings" type adventure fantasy, Brooks is one of the best at it. If you've read him before, you know exactly what to expect, and if you're considering picking him up for the first time, go back to the Sword of Shannara Trilogy, and the Heritage of Shannara series. They came first, and they're better.
Rating: 
Summary: One of Brooks' best!
Review: Fascinating characters, wonderfulstory line. A must if you're aTerry Brooks fan. If not, read itanyway, especially if you lovefantasy.
Rating:
Summary: Who Kidknapped the Characters??
Review: As much as I think Terry Brooks is one of the better Fantasy writers, I have to agree with one of the other reviewers that character development is lacking in Jarka Ruus. Even though this is the first book of a trilogy, there is still more than enough room in a roughly 400 page book to do more. Other than Grianna and Pen, it is difficult to know which of the other characters are going to be around for very long, but even in a stand alone novel, all characters that are important should be developed. I wish Jarka Ruus had either fewer characters or about 100 pages more to show each character's traits instead of just telling us various chunks of information.
I will read the next book and the one after in the series, but I hope Shannara doesn't get lost to another overly formulaic pattern, like too many other fantasy series.
Rating:
Summary: PLEASANT BEGINNING TO A QUEST
Review: Although by no means a great literary work of art this first volume of THE HIGH DRUID OF SHANNARA is far from being the worst put out in the last few years. The plot seems to be a bit formula and the action a bit sparse it actually isn't that bad when it's all said and done. Characterization is the strength of this piece. Very few characters are held over from the VOYAGE OF THE JERLE SHANNARA series, with the greatest exception of Grianne Ohmsford, ex-Ilse Witch. Not much of a lose as the ending of that series probably left you with the same unfinished feeling as it did countless others, including myself. Instead we have a new cast, derived from the original I will admit, but in the case of Pen Ohmsford (the son of Bek Ohmsford) the derivative is actually better than the original. Born without magic, at least the same type of magic his father has, he is a scared teenager set on a dangerous mission by forces he doesn't understand. A well-done character surrounded by a small (thankfully) cast that really supports and adds to the storyline. A better start than the JERLE SHANNARA series, and hopefully a much better ending coming up. It rates three stars because it just that, average, but you know average isn't all that bad. I RECOMMENDED it.
Rating:
Summary: The classic series continues.
Review: Terry Brooks is the dominating fantasy author since his first novel - "The Sword of Shannara" and this will hardly change, I admit looking at his latest novel, "Jarka Ruus". Truly, it's amazing that "Shannara"-novel can still challenge my mind, but Broos is just great. In "Jarka Ruus" he introduces a new generation of characters, who face the ultimate evil from a place so dark, that just to speak of it is dangerous(that's why I won't tell you it's name:). There are vivid descriptions, well-described battles and cool, dark atmosphere which still fascinates.
I'm eager for the next volume.
Rating:
Summary: Gr8 book, just toooo short!
Review: Terry Brooks is still my favorite storyteller; his works get better and better. I love the way he intertwines storylines, and keeps the pages turning. The beginning story of this trilogy is well-thought out, intricate in its subplots, but not in its writing. Brooks keeps the pace light, without delving into trivial matters, which some other authors, like Robert Jordan does(though he is an excellent author too). What I'd like from Terry Brooks is a Shannara novel as thick as a Robert Jordan novel, around 1000 pages! Mr. Brooks, if you're reading this, please reward your loyal fans and produce a big novel, so we don't have to bite our nails waiting for the next one! In any event, if you've read Brooks Shannara series and liked it, there's no reason why you won't enjoy his latest work. It's full of fantasy, backstabbing, intrigue, power struggles, magic, and beasts. Oh, and druids r kewl!!
Rating:
Summary: Keeps You Guessing
Review: A Review by Zach Several years after the end of the Voyage of the Jerle Shannara ends Grianne, the Isle Witch, has formed the third Druid Council in which she is the Ard Ryhs, or head druid. However her position is not safe and worse she doesn't known it. The druids under her are plotting against her with outside forces. So when she disappears after visiting the Northland, it is up to her few supporters and her nephew Pen to go off and save her. I liked the pacing of Jarka Ruus because it wasn't to slow or to fast. It has an easy pace that does not rush or leave anything that is needed for you to understand the events in this book or to follow the storyline of the previous books. For example the first two chapters provide you with both new information and it fills you in on the last book. Also the vocabulary in the book is not too hard so readers of most ages could easily understand most of the book. Also the book has much suspense so it keeps you guessing until later on what Grianne is suffering from. It also contains feelings which are real and understood. This I enjoyed because it made me feel as the characters do. I really understood why Grianne was confused when she woke up in a different place then where she started. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes fantasy or adventure with a twist. This book also follows the previous story line so you can continue his other books.
Rating: 
Summary: Jarka who?
Review: As an avid fan of Terry Brooks from the beginning,I find it hard to believe he authored this book. The plot is predictable, dialogue on the sixth grade level, and the vivid descriptive writing of his previous books is missing. I know this is Book 1 of a series, but I expected so much more than what I got.
Get it from the library- I did. Not worth rereading.
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.
| 
