Synopses & Reviews
More than a quarter of a century after
The Sword of Shannara carved out its place in the pantheon of great epic fantasy, the magic of Terry Brooks's
New York Times-bestselling saga burns as brightly as ever. Three complete series have chronicled the ever-unfolding history of Shannara. But more stories are still to be told and new adventures have yet to be undertaken. Book One of High Druid of Shannara invites both the faithful longtime reader and the curious newcomer to take the first step on the next extraordinary quest.
Twenty years have passed since Grianne Ohmsford denounced her former life as the dreaded Ilse Witch saved by the love of her brother, the magic of the Sword of Shannara, and the destruction of her evil mentor, the Morgawr. Now, fulfilling the destiny predicted for her, she has established the Third Druid Council, and dedicated herself to its goals of peace, harmony among the races, and defense of the Four Lands. But the political intrigue, secret treachery, and sinister deeds that have haunted Druid history for generations continue to thrive. And despite her devotion to the greater good as Ard Rhys the High Druid of Paranor, Grianne still has bitter enemies.
Among the highest ranks of the Council she leads lurk those who cannot forget her reign of terror as the Ilse Witch, who covet her seat of power, and who will stop at nothing to see her deposed...or destroyed. Even Grianne's few allies chief among them her trusted servant Tagwen know of the plots against her. But they could never anticipate the sudden, ominous disappearance of the Ard Rhys, in the dead of night and without a trace.
Review
"A sure winner....Brooks proves himself a master at reworking and enriching the conventions of fantasy." Booklist
Review
"Jaded readers are likely to seek their thrills elsewhere, but fans of formula fantasy will be quite content with the smooth prose, vivid descriptions and comfortable pacing." Publishers Weekly
Review
"The only time the book really perks up is right after Grianne finds herself in the Forbidding, a nightmare spot with some well-imagined monsters and a palpable sense of danger....Satisfying but often lamentably prosaic..." Kirkus Reviews
Review
"Brooks churns out another formula fantasy....This first series book is decently written, but it follows the highly predictable quest format of so many other fantasy novels....[C]learly not...the author's best work." VOYA
Review
"The latest entry in Brooks's popular Shannara series features a new generation of heroes, whose devotion and courage set them on a collision course with destiny. His fans will demand this well-written series opener..." Library Journal
Synopsis
The first book in Brooks' latest New York Times-bestselling Shannara trilogy now comes to mass market.
Synopsis
In this, the first volume of a new trilogy in the popular Shannara series, two inexperienced youths set forth to rescue Grianne Ohmsford. The trouble is that they they will have to cross into another dimension to do it. Well, that and the fact they are both almost completely hopeless in the heroics department...
About the Author
Terry Brooks is
New York Times bestselling author of more than twenty books, including
The Sword of Shannara,
The Voyage of the Jerle Shannara trilogy
: Ilse Witch,
Antrax, and
Morgawr, and the novel based upon the screenplay and story by George Lucas:
Star Wars®: Episode I
The Phantom Menace™. His novels
Running with the Demon and
A Knight of the Word were selected by the
Rocky Mountain News as two of the best science fiction/fantasy novels of the twentieth century.
The author was a practicing attorney for many years but now writes full time. He lives with his wife, Judine, in the Pacific Northwest and Hawaii.
Visit us online at www.shannara.com.
From the Hardcover edition.