Rating: 
Summary: Another strong addition to the wonderful world of Shannara
Review: It's been 20 years since the events described in 'Morgawr' and Grianne Ohmsford now finds herself in the less than desirable position of being the High Druid of the Four Lands. Too many of her opponents either cannot or will not forget her life as the Ilse Witch and actively plan on banishing her to a place from which she cannot return. I MUST admit that when I discovered where it was she was sent, I instantly knew this series had received a major jolt of adrenaline. I won't spoil the surprise by telling you where she ends up, but suffice it to say if you are a long-time fan of this series, you've heard of it before.I have been somewhat annoyed over the course of these Shannara novels to see how Mr. Brooks has left behind some of my favorite characters and created entirely new ones -- many of which I have enjoyed just as much, but when I noticed Grianne as one of the central characters of this new series, I believed that Bek would also make a major appearance as well -- not so. But once again, this in no way distracts from the pure enjoyment of the story. Bek's son, Penderrin (Pen) believes he is without the use of magic, but of course he is incorrect, and his particularly unique powers are critical in finding a way to get TO his aunt, and more importantly, getting her BACK into the world of the Four Lands. He is assisted by Grianne's right hand man, Tagwen the Dwarf who is absolutely obsessed with his failure to protect the Ard Rhys and is just as driven to see her found and returned to where she rightfully belongs. On the other side, you have the power struggle inside the walls of Paranor as to who will take the place of the Ard Rhys and slowly but surely, suspicion mounts as to the motives of Shadea a'Ru, the one Druid who seemed to assume this roll almost immediately upon the discovery that Grianne had disappeared. Equally obsessed with keeping her banished forever, Shadea organizes a search party who is sent out to assure that anyone who even might have the slightest chance of returning the Ard Rhys back will fail. Lucky for Tagwen and Pen, Shadea believes that to be Grianne's brother, Bek, who is off hunting with his wife. This offers Pen and Tagwen the chance to escape (barely) and receive a visit from the fabled King of the Silver River (I've always wished that Terry would write more about this character, but I guess I'll have to continue to wait...). All in all a great start to what promises to be another fantastic Shannara Trilogy. I am also fervently waiting for the time when Terry writes another stand-alone Shannara Epic as with his first 3 novels and the 'First King', but until then, I shall wait patiently, because I have come to know that the author can only write what they have a passion for, and nothing else -- no matter HOW much I wish them to. Oh well. Another winner for Mr. Brooks and another thrill ride for us Shannara fans.
Rating: 
Summary: Still going good..........
Review: Terry Brooks took on a new and original Shannara novel.Never ever has he come up with something like this.It's exciting,romantic,and purely interesting.
Grianne Ohmsford is now the Ard Rhys of the Druids,but the War on the Prekkendorran is still going on,and those who cannot forget that she was once the Ilse Witch plot against her.It goes to the extent that Shadea a'Ru, a Druid who despises her above all,traps her in a place of horror beyond imagining.
Tagwen,a Dwarf,and her trusted servant,is suspicious of Shadea ,and goes to Bek for help.Unfortunately,that's not who he finds.He finds Penderrin Ohmsford,one with a new gift,that isn't the wishsong.They ,Ahren Elessedil,and his niece Khyber embark on a journey to find the magical tree that can free Grianne from where she is trapped.
I love this book,but I have begun to notice that Terry's Shannara style is beginning to falter.Penderrin is not as strong a character as Bek,or Par,or Shea.And I found this book a bit less challenging than the others.
But,it is perfectly worth reading,and I engourage any Shannara fan to read it.
Rating:
Summary: renewed my interest in the Shannara series
Review: High Druid of Shannara: Book 1 Jarka Ruus is set 20 years after the conclusion of Morgawr (The Voyage of the Jerle Shannara trilogy). Grianne Ohmsford, formerly the Ilse Witch is now the High Druid (Ard Rhys) of the Third Druid Council at Paranor. Grianne faces the problem of how to make the Druid Council relevant and effective in the Four Lands. She faces skepticism from the Elves and some men, and worse, she faces schemes from some of the Druids who still do not trust her because of her past. These schemes get the best of Grianne early in the book as she is trapped in some alternate realm similar to her own world (I refuse to name it because it is a massive spoiler and there is some joy in discovering where exactly Grianne ended up). This sets up the main thrust of the novel which is the beginning of the quest to rescue Grianne. We are introduced to the hero of the novel, Pen Ohmsford. Brooks follows the formula of the Shannara series in that a new scion of the Ohmsford clan is tapped to undertake a quest of some sort. While Pen's father, Bek Ohmsford (from the Voyage trilogy) is alive and able, The King of the Silver River maintains that it is young Pen who must venture out to rescue his aunt (Grianne is Bek's sister). While Bek and Grianne have the magic of the Wishsong, Pen is a generation that has been skipped (though he wonders if the magic is just dying out). He does have his own magic, one that he does not think is as important or powerful as the Wishsong. He can empathetically understand animals. Helping Pen out in this quest are Ahren Elessedil (an elf Prince and Druid), his niece and apprentice Khyber Elessedil, and Grianne's dwarf assistant. This first volume in the High Druid trilogy sets up the main thrust of the series and offers an excellent continuation of the Voyage trilogy. This is the best work Brooks has done in years (at least in the Shannara series) and is far better than any of the three books in the Voyage trilogy. The most interesting parts of the book deal with Grianne (which is a little unfortunate since the main focus is on Pen). She is more of an interesting character, more developed, and her circumstances are fascinating for any long time fan of Shannara. This book kept me turning the pages faster and faster because I wanted to know what happened next and I found myself eagerly awaiting Book 2 in the High Druid series. I didn't feel that way about the Voyage trilogy at all. Very good stuff from Terry Brooks.
Rating:
Summary: A Spectacular start to a new series
Review: Twenty years have passed since the climatic ending of Morgawr. Grianne Ohmsford (the Ard Rhys) has become the High Druid and the third order of druids has been established. However, the Ard Rhys has her enemies and they plot to banish her to the forbidding--an ancient prison set up before the time of men. This book has it all. A new generation of Ohmsfords, druid vs. druid, creatures known only in the druid histories from the time of Fairie and something still unseen and sinister plying its magic. I can't wait for the next installment! Don't miss this one. Brooks is at the top of his form.
Rating:
Summary: well written, action-packed and exciting
Review: It's been twenty years since the Voyage of the Jerle Shannara and the Ilse Witch was transformed back into Grianne Ohmsford. Now she is the Ard Rhys of the Third Druid Council, the High Druid of Paranor who seeks peace in the Four Lands. She is not very well liked or trusted in the halls of Paranor because of her past evil deeds and there are those who plot against her, hungry for the power she has. A small but powerful Cabal of Druids are able to take Grianne by surprise and send her into the Forbidding, an alternate universe where all the dark creatures of fairie were banished eons ago. Her nephew Pen is made aware of her predicament and he sets out with a trusted group of allies to rescue her but the new Ard Rhys and her allies are determined to stop them. Fans of the various Shannara series will find this first installment in a new trilogy well written, action-packed and exciting. The scenes of Grianne in the Forbidding are very imaginative and colorful and engage the reader's sympathy for the Ard Rhys's plight. Terry Brooks has created an interesting protagonist in Pen, an untested young man who grows stronger with each attempt made on his life. Harriet Klausner
Rating:
Summary: fans will like it more
Review: let me start off by saying that i am a huge terry brooks fan. i have thoroughly enjoyed all his work and eagerly await each new
release. that said, i must admit i was ever so slightly disappointed in this latest release. i believe fans of the series
will enjoy this book more than newcomers. i say this due to the feeling that this book varies little from the existing recipe that has made this series so very sucessful. if you're a long time reader you always know what you're going to get with a new shannara novel and this is no exception. the story moves quickly
and you feel yourself turning pages before you're really ready to but i found myself less attached to this particular group of
adventurers than ever before in a terry brooks novel. its a good read, especially if you're a fan of the series, but i can't help feeling that the best in this trilogy is yet to come.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent
Review: In the league of his previous books such as the sword of shannara series. I phenomenal read.
Rating:
Summary: Another great story
Review: Terry Brooks is a master story teller and this book once again proves it. His abilty to weave a tale that is very deep but so easy to read is incredible. I would highly recommend this newest book in the series. It may be one of the best in all of the series.
Rating: 
Summary: This series is tired. Truly tired.
Review: Brooks needs to give this series a rest. His concepts (like his prose) are tired now. It's time to move on.
Rating:
Summary: Overall, a great story, and a worther successor...
Review: ...however, it suffers from a small amount of predictability. I'll be sure not to spoil anything for those who haven't read it yet, so don't worry =). I've been reading this writer's works since back in grammar school, and have enjoyed every book thus far, including the other two short series he's written. They've all been filled with fascinating characters, wonderful detail in every environment, and some interesting villians. His writings have been in inspiration to my work as well, however you probably won't be seeing it anytime soon. If you've ever read a Shannara tale, or have read them all, this one will captivate your imagination, and then leave you begging for more.
Oh, yeah...with all the airships lately, doesn't it make you wonder if Terry Brooks is an FF fan? Seems kinda similar, eh?
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