Straken: High Druid of Shannara
by Terry Brooks
Published by Del Ray
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Reviewed by Andrea Sisco
Terry Brooks weaves magical tales of imagined worlds better than just about anyone. His characters are always fully developed and multi-dimensional. They possess strength, courage, wisdom, nobility, etc. and his readers love it. We long for good to triumph over evil. Straken: High Druid of Shannara, the final installment in Brooks' High Druid of Shannara trilogy, gives us most of what we yearn for when we read a Brooks' novel. It's a good read, but fairly predictable in its outcome and that brought less delicious tension in the reading.
The King of the Silver River has entrusted Penderrin Ohmsford (Pen), a young boy, the huge and dangerous task of rescuing his aunt, Grianne, Ard Rhys of the Druid order. She's been exiled to the Forbidding (the land where all the evil demons have been banished to). Pen accepts his mission and sets forth with Tagwen and the prodigal elven princess Khyber Elessedil to free her. But there are those who would thwart the plan. If Pen and his companions are not successful, Shaedea's domination of the Four Lands will be assured. And it's not just success that is at stake, it is Pen's very survival.
Armchair Interviews says: If you're not familiar with Terry Brooks writing we would suggest you start at the first book in the triology and enjoy what will definitely be some of the most exciting and enjoyable novels you've ever read.