Order from a Major Online Bookstore
Ultimate Book Price Comparison Engine
Save Your Time And Money
| AnyBook4Less.com | Order from a Major Online Bookstore |
|
| Home | Store List | FAQ | Contact Us | | ||
| Ultimate Book Price Comparison Engine Save Your Time And Money |
||
 |
Title: Jarka Ruus (High Druid of Shannara, Book 1) by TERRY BROOKS ISBN: 0-345-43573-7 Publisher: Del Rey Pub. Date: 26 August, 2003 Format: Hardcover Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $27.95 |
Average Customer Rating: 4.14 (50 reviews)
Rating: 5
Summary: Brooks is Back on Track!!!
Comment: I have been a fan of Terry Brooks and the various Shannara books for 20 years, anxiously awaiting each new series in the ongoing tale. However, I must admit the last trilogy, The Voyage of the Jerele Shannara (TVotJS), was not up to par with the high expectations I have for Terry Brooks writings. While the trilogy did have new settings and characters I thought that many of the story plots and themes had been written about before and just redressed for this trilogy. I awaited the release of the High Druid of Shannara (THDoS) series with caution.
Just a few days ago my wife purchased the first book on THDoS series for me JARKA RUUS (JR) and I found that Brooks had recaptured what I originally so liked about the Shannara series. In this book Brooks brings back some familiar people and places. Several characters from the TVotJS have returned. Most importantly Grianne Ohmsford, the former Ilse Witch, in her current role as Ard Rhys the current leader of the third druid council. Grianne Ohmsford was one of my favorite characters from the TVotJS and I think she makes a great druid, much better than Walker Boh.
Aside from the characters and magic that marks all his books this series has a great story, just as good as THE FIRST KING OF SHANNARA (TFKoS) and right behind THE ELFSTONES OF SHANNARA (TEoS). I have always like TEoS and there are strong links to TEoS in JR. If you have read TEoS and enjoyed reading about the different demons and wondered just what the Forbidding that held them back was about then this story will answer a lot of those questions. Also, the Warlock Lord makes a cameo appearance of sorts in this book. The only thing I did not care for in this book was the abrupt ending. I know its part of a series but I feel that each book in a series should have some kind of closure or resolve at least for some of the minor sub-plots. Not this book!! It actually increases the suspense and then ends abruptly leaving the reader somewhat upset at being left to dangle for an entire year.
Lastly, Brooks seems to be back on the right track with the Shannara series. I can not wait until summer 2004 to pick up TANEQUIL and continue with this great story.
Rating: 5
Summary: Adventurous Page Turner
Comment: This book is a smooth read. The next generation along with some of the previous generation make great traveling companions. Lots of action as well as magical beings. This book is a spectacular start for the new series. It's a more colorful story and even better written than the previous series. After just coming from reading Terry Goodkind's new story (Naked Empire), what a breath of fresh air. It's a fantastic feeling when you can look forward to the next book in a great series!
Rating: 3
Summary: Almost Like Watching A Movie
Comment: Jarka Ruus was at times a cinematic experience. In one part, an assassin who for pages and pages has been vaunted as the most deadly of all, who never misses, from whom targets never escape suddenly becomes inept when the time comes to kill a main character. Not only that, he hits an extra(anonymous burly dockworker) instead, just like in the movies. It reminds me of how the superhumanly adept agents in the Matrix Reloaded can't so much as blow the tires out on the good guys' car, or shoot the driver when they have a shot a normal person could make with relative ease. Books don't have to make excuses because there is all the space the author could want in which to explain and justify events properly.
In this book Paranor though revived, is as usual about to succumb to the subtle poison of the forces of darkness. I'm not sure I buy into Shadea, the villainess. When I try to envision her, maybe I see a tall, bulky(stronger than most men), stern woman in loose black druid robes. She's also supposed to be good looking. I just have trouble putting this all together. If she wasn't a super model on the side it would all be fine. Just think! Her arms would be bigger Venus Williams' and her shoulders too!
Perhaps the most rewarding parts of this book involve the continuation of the story of Ahren Elessidil and the revelation to the reader of what lies within Ellcrys tree. I had always wondered a bit what it was actually like in there after a few vague descriptions in Elfstones. To most diehard fans this will come as a treat and keep them engrossed.
Otherwise, some of the happenings in this novel simply have that Hollywood quality to them, such as the supposedly competent evil dwarf Druid who the callow good guys defeat every time through sheer guts and resourcefulness. Not to mention that their pursuer is himself terrifyingly dimwitted for a practitioner of the magical and scholarly arts. Ahren keeps waving his hands and exclaiming "Waaah! I could never beat him. My powers are wimpy and he's a battle druid." I bet that dwarf excelled at everything he ever did until it came time to hunt down an Ohmsford and his companions.
 |
Title: The Heritage of Shannara by TERRY BROOKS ISBN: 0345465547 Publisher: Del Rey Pub. Date: 26 August, 2003 List Price(USD): $35.00 |
 |
Title: Morgawr (The Voyage of the Jerle Shannara, Book 3) by TERRY BROOKS ISBN: 0345435753 Publisher: Del Rey Pub. Date: 26 August, 2003 List Price(USD): $7.99 |
 |
Title: Naked Empire (Sword of Truth, Book 8) by Terry Goodkind ISBN: 0765305224 Publisher: Tor Books Pub. Date: 21 July, 2003 List Price(USD): $29.95 |
 |
Title: The Elder Gods (The Dreamers, Book 1) by David Eddings, Leigh Eddings ISBN: 0446532215 Publisher: Aspect Pub. Date: 14 October, 2003 List Price(USD): $25.95 |
 |
Title: New Spring (A Wheel of Time Prequel Novel) by Robert Jordan ISBN: 0765306298 Publisher: Tor Fantasy Pub. Date: 06 January, 2004 List Price(USD): $22.95 |
Thank you for visiting www.AnyBook4Less.com and enjoy your savings!
Copyright� 2001-2021 Send your comments
