Tanequil

Rating:
Summary: A look inside the Forbidding
Review: "Tanequil" is the second volume in the "High Druid of Shannara" series by Terry Brooks. It continues the story which was begun in "Jarka Ruus". The former High Druid of Paranor, Grianne Ohmsford (the Isle Witch from the last trilogy) has been betrayed by one of her druids and sent into the Forbidding. The Forbidding, if you remember "The Elfstones of Shannara", is the demon dimension which is sealed shut by the power of the Elcrys. It is a nasty, nasty place and Grianne is now stuck there. Her nephew Pen Ohmsford is on a quest to find the Tanequil, a tree which holds the key to rescuing Grianne. Like many other Shannara novels, he was put on this path by the King of the Silver River, a mythical creature who has guided many Ohmsfords over the course of the Shannara series.

While Pen is searching for the Tanequil, he and his companions (there are always companions) are also running for their lives. They are being tracked by a fearsome killer which has already killed one of their own. Grianne is left by herself to find her way in the Forbidding when she is captured by some of the demons. Rather that slaughter her like an animal, there seems to be something of a culture (such as it is) among the demons. Dealing with torture and captivity and isolation, Grianne fears that she may once again become the unfeeling Isle Witch which once terrorized the Four Lands. She doesn't want to, but it may be the only way to survive. At what price is survival worth it?

The previous trilogy, "The Voyage of the Jerle Shannara" was something of a disappointment, but "Jarka Ruus" and now "Tanequil" have been something of a return to the earlier quality of the "Scions of Shannara" quartet. Nothing has matched the original trilogy, but these are fast paced, interesting stories set in a familiar world. What makes this new trilogy so interesting is the reintroduction of The Forbidding. Unfortunately, "Tanequil" spends much less time on Grianne and the Forbidding as I had hoped. There was much less Grianne than I had expected. There is a theory that less is more, but in this case, less is less. "Tanequil" is good, though "Jarka Ruus" promised perhaps more than Terry Brooks was going to deliver. One thing I know, I am looking forward to seeing how Brooks ends this trilogy with "Straken".

-Joe Sherry

Rating:
Summary: Poor Follow-Up
Review: After reading Jarka Ruus, I was excited about the story Brooks had started, but this sequel just does not live up to its predecessor. First, it was damn boring and not until half-way through did it even get exciting or interesting. Second, Grianne Ohmsford, the whole reason for the story to begin with, is nothing more than a guest star in this book. The events that happen in the Forbidding, or Jarka Ruus, are by far the most interesting points of the plot, yet Brooks spends very little time there. Maybe he waiting for the final book in this trilogy, but most of what happens in this book seemed unnecessary and just filler. These failings certainly won't stop me from reading the next book, but I wish Brooks could have done a better job.

Rating:
Summary: Too many plots for a less satisfying read.
Review: I have to agree with one of the earlier reviews, Brooks interweave multiple plot lines, creating somewhat shallow characters, something that is more frequent in the High Druid Series. I think Tanequil is better then Jarka Russ, I read it in just a week's time because the plots are building well and finally gets together, leaving readers ready for the last novel in the series. The related Triology, The Voyage of the Jerle Shannara, had enough going on in each book and just enough characters, something is not as present in this series. I still would prefer less chracters in favor of more developed characters though, and in this volume too, many main characters perish, which perversely makes it easier to keep track of the rest. I will get the next book when it comes out, but I start to wonder if this triology is the way Brooks is going to write from now on.

Rating:
Summary: Adam P. Miller Place, NY
Review: I really thought Brooks scored a hit with JARKA RUUS (JR). JR offered well defined characters a decent plot and a quick moving story. I don't know where TANEQUIL went wrong but I just didn't find this story as engaging or interesting as the JR.

Pros: I like the roll of the trolls in this book. All the other races have been well defined in other books, except for the trolls. The trolls have a very interesting culture and seem to be a very intelligent. I was glad to see that Bek & Little Red received more page time in this book. I'm really curious to see how Bek uses his power in the next book, as well to find out who there mysterious helper is. Also, Khyber, is quickly becoming my favorite character in the series. I see a lot of growth and potential for her character.

Cons: Brooks bogs down the story by giving practically each and ever character time to ponder his/her situation. Too much of the book takes up the characters self assessment and of characters lamenting their prior actions or decisions. To be honest, I'm begining to think that brooks coud have combined all 3 novels into one book if he had eliminated some of this pondering. Also, it is one thing to pay homage to his previous works or to reintroduce previous settings from previous books. It is another thing to basically reuse an old plot or redress an old story. The relationship of Cinnaminson & Pek reminds me of the relationship between Amberele & Will in THE ELFSTONES OF SHANNARA. Especially the fate that awaits Cinnaminson.

All in all it's not a bad book. I am looking forward to reading the conclusion next year. Brooks has a talent for writing and with a little more effort this book could have been one of his better efforts instead of the mediocre piece it turned out to be.

Rating:
Summary: I good recovery--no spoilers
Review: I would have given the first book in this trilogy 2 1/2 stars. If fact I wasn't that thrilled about reading this new one so it took me some time to get to it. What can I say about this book? A fantastic fun read! Terry Brooks recovers well in this second, fast paced book. Demons, Trolls, Druids, Weapon of Mass destruction, magic, oh my! You name I think Terry Brooks put it in this book. I look forward to the last book in this set. I was beginning to think what some people have said about this being a tired series that needs to be put to rest were true. I think this book just gave the series a much needed jolt.

Rating:
Summary: A Thrilling Continuation of the High Druid Series
Review: I've read all of Terry Brooks' books, and this series is rapidly becoming my favorite of all of them. "Tanequil" picks up the momentum started in "Jarka Ruus' and continues on in a rush of twists and turns that will leave the reader breathless and turning pages to see what happens next.

Grianne Ohmsford, still trapped inside the Forbidding, has been captured and led to the Straken Lord. Unknown to Grianne, the Straken has released his own creature into the Four Lands to break down the barrier which holds the Jarka Ruus inside thier prison. Will Grianne find a way to stop the creature, or will she remain trapped inside the Forbidding along with the Straken Lord?

Pen Ohmsford, Khyber, Cinnaminson, and Tagwen are continuing their search for the Tanequil, an ancient tree that, if persuaded, will give up one of its branches to be made into a darkwand which will allow Pen to pass over into the Forbidding to rescue his trapped aunt. However, the group has numerous run-ins with nasty creatures and Shadea a'Ru's druids before finally reaching the Tanequil. Will the price the Tanequil requires be too great for Pen to pay?

Bek and Rue, Pen's parents, have been told by Shadea's druids of the disappearance of their son and have been told to come to Paranor to begin searching for him. However, Shadea has her own plans to use Bek and Rue to lure her to Pen before he can reach Grianne. Bek learns of this plan, but Shaeda discovers that Bek is using his magic to find Pen, and she throws both Bek and Rue into her dungeons. Will Rue and Bek escape, or will they remain locked away in Paranor?

Sen Dunsidan, Prime Minister of the Federation, has developed a new and frightening weapon to be used against the Free Born in an effort to break the twenty year stalemate of their war against one another. Will this weapon succeed, or will the Elves, led by a new hero, defeat the Federation?

Hopefully, all of these questions will be answered in book three. I found "Tanequil" to be one of Terry Brooks' best works. Brooks has a gift of narration and scene setting for the reader that is unsurpassed by other fantasy writers. I found myself on edge with every passing page due to the excellent narrative provided by Brooks. His storytelling is definitely his strong point, and it is most assuredly on display in this fine book. Needless to say, I give this excellent book my highest recommendation. After reading this, I'll have a hard time waiting an entire year for the final book in the series, but the wait will be worth it, because I'm sure it will be just as good, if not better, than this book is.

Rating:
Summary: Much better than I expected
Review: Tanequil continues the story of Pen Ohmsford and his quest to save his aunt, Grianne Ohmsford, the Ard Rhys of the newly formed Druid Council. In Book One, Jarka Ruus, some of Grianne's fellow Druid's plot against her with the help of Sen Dunsidan of the Federation and send her into the abyssmal and dreaded Forbidding. Pen's quests takes him deep into Troll country in quest of the Tanequil, to obtain and form a magical talisman called a darkwand to bring Grianne back to the four lands. All the while, Sen Dunsidan and the Federation have developed a new secret weapon that changes the war between the Federation and the Freeborn. You will not be disappointed!!!

This book was excellent because it does an excellent job of continuing the story, and building on the first book (and the Voyage Series) and brings us back to a familiar place (read the Heritage of Shannara before reading this series), that has been transformed from what it was, over time. When I read this book, I was brought back to the mystery of former books in the Shannara series. Terry does an excellent job of continuing Pen's transformation and maturation throughout this book.

I cannot wait until book three, Straken, is released to find out what happens to Grianne, if Pen succeeds, and if the Elves and the Freeborn survive the onslaught of the advancing Federation army. A lot of people say the formula has been re-hashed too much, and Terry just doesn't write the way he used to. I completely disagree with that assessment, and wholeheartedly recommend this book and the entire Shannara series (because all of the books ultimately build on each other) to everyone. Terry still has the magic!! Keep it up Terry!!!

Rating:
Summary: Not in any way disatisfying
Review: Tanequil is in my opinion one of the best books Terry Brooks has written. I liked the many plots and changing view, reminding me a lot of my other favorite writer Robert Stanek. So there!

Rating:
Summary: Not what he used to be...
Review: The style of writing in Tanequil is up to par with Terry Brooks previous work, but the content just isn't what he used to give us. The book is a quick read and is almost predictable. I thoroughly enjoyed the book, but was disapointed because I know what Brooks can do, and this just isn't his best work.