High Druid of Shannara: Jarka Ruus
Forthcoming: August 26, 2003 - A Del Rey Hardcover
Fan Reviews
July 26th Review by: Allaon1981 (non-moderator review)
Hello Shannara Fans!
The suspense was killing me. The arrival of Jarka Ruus was only 2 days, but
I could hardly wait. When it finally came in from Ebay, I ripped open the box, opened
the plastic protector and held this bare copy of Jarka Ruus in my hands.
Trembling with excitement, I debated on whether or not to open it for fear of
ruining it. Anticipation outweighed the collector in me and I began reading
the book.
I tore through it. I was intrigued by the storyline. New perils in old
lands, seeing familiar characters and finding out what happened to certain
others of the Voyage series crew. Expect some surprises and shocks with the
various characters.
Using Grianne's mysterious disappearance and the circumstances surrounding
it, Terry takes us through an adventure that is both unsure and perilous. His
portrayal of advancing technology in the Four Lands leads us in a direction
that highlights the struggle between science vs. magic. I anticipate great
things to come from this motif.
Overall, Terry has set up a very good story. One can see just how and why it
is that the Voyage series was a
"springboard" into the High Druid series. It is definitely a must-read.
July 26th Review by: Kai Svenson
From the beginning Jarka Ruus caught my attention. However, it took some time to get interesting. One of the reasons is the challenge of continuing a eleven book series that starts anew every so often; by now you tend to notice some things the author does often. However, that is what makes Jarka Ruus interesting.
In the beginning I began to worry. Despite the fact I enjoyed the Voyage of the Jerle Shannara, the talk of the disappointment of others to weighed heavily as I went from page to page. The book began earlier than usual. To clarify, think along the lines if The First King of Shannara started with Bremen still in the Skull Kingdom spying on Brona, or in The Wishsong of Shannara opening with Allanon's attempt to pierce the Maelmord. If neither of those help you, just think of the Voyage series opening. Which hints this might a be a change from Terry's style hinted at in Sometimes the Magic Works. Paraphrasing from memory, he said that a writer of fantasy in these days couldn't dawdle around the first hundred pages like he did in The Sword of Shannara.
Now for enough dawdling of my own. As I said, I found the joy in trying to figure out what was going on, and proven wrong. Events that you suspect will happen that don't turn out like you thought. Things long forgotten by most return in a way that will leave you wanting for more, things that seemed to have become a permanent fixture seem to be fading, and some things that just are needed for it to feel like a Shannara book. While many things are present, I don't think many will be disappointed by the return of one talisman in particular.
July 26th Review by: Ian Davion
Action, adventure and political intrigue all make up Jarka
Ruus, the first novel of the new High Druid of Shannara series. This
novel borrows on the themes and events of Terry Brooks's previous works
to create a story that brings together the ambitions of several people
into one large picture.
In Jarka Ruus, Pen Ohmsford, like his father, must journey to
rescue Grianne Ohmsford, Pen's aunt, from a perilous fate. This time
however, her predicament is not due so much to her own ambitions but the ambitions
of those who should be her most trusted council.
While it might seem evident to long time fans of Terry Brooks
what has happened to the Ard Rhys, Terry Brooks is able to keep the
story fresh and highlights different aspects of a journey similar to
those in his previous works in the Shannara series. In Jarka Ruus,
Terry Brooks is able to use characters that we know from
The Voyage of the Jerle Shannara series and set them up in a
way that while we are familiar with their exploits, they are new
people who have room for development through out the book.
At times it may seem evident what will occur throughout the
book, but Terry Brooks is able to shift gears and change the direction
of the story so that the story is furthered in a way that keeps the
reader wondering what might occur next.
July 26th Review by: Erik Warriormage
When Grianne became the High Druid she sought to make amends for her past
as the Ilse Witch. The questions are, does she really want to make
amends? Can she do what she needs to do? Would anyone allow her to do
what Walker Boh set her to do?
These are the major questions that should be in everyone's mind after
the completion of The Voyage of the Jerle Shannara, and Jarka Ruus is the
next book. Other questions can consist of, what or who is Jarka Ruus?
Could there be any other forms of magic taking place in the Four lands?
There are so many questions that have arisen, that it would be a great
wonder if you don't pick up this book.
But that asks the final question, should you read this book? The answer
would be Yes with a capital Y. With his great imagery and constant flow
of adventure, Terry Brooks once more shows you that Fantasy can be fun to
read. Yet unlike his previous books, this one has a darker side to it,
making it more realistic that you feel drawn in, despite it being a world
of magic, elves, dwarves, and flying ships. The Four Lands is a world you
know and love, but also a world which has so much more to be explored.
Because of this, anyone, be they veterans of the series or new arrivals,
can love and enjoy this book.
July 10th Review by: Kinson
Terry Brooks has done it once again, with his new Shannara installment, The
High Druid of Shannara: Jarka Ruus. In this new exciting adventure Grianne
Ohmsford, formally the Ilse Wicth, becomes leader of the free Druids at
Paranor. But a plot is undertaken to bring her out of power. The story
takes a new and dynamic twist readers haven't seen from Terry before. Long
time Shannara fans will fall in love all over again and new readers will
discover the wonderous world of Terry Brooks. If you like fantasy, don't
miss Jarka Ruus.
July 10th Review by: SteveS
Terry takes us on a fast-paced adventure that explores the darker side of
Shannara. Things long-hidden in the darkest regions thrive amid shadows where
goodness can only be measured by lesser shades of evil.
Jarka Ruus has the advantage of being in the familiar realm of Shannara yet it is still filled with so many unexpected twists and turns there can be no doubt
you are experiencing a brand new type of adventure.
Terry Brooks introduces us to a new generation of characters complete with new
forms of magic never seen before. There is also the familiar magic of the
Elfstones although they are used in a rather unusual manner in this story. As
if to counter the restoration of the Elfstones to the Elves, the Steihl is
brought out of storage and handed over to an assassin who has a particular
fondness for this grim profession.
A malevolent being, more shadow than light, has its sights set upon the Four
Lands. Its hatred is so strong it is almost a tangible thing. Yet this entity
patiently plays out its game, manipulating the political infighting occurring
within the ranks of the Druid Council as easily as a chess master controls the
direction of the game. But who is this puppeteer manipulating the strings of
the Druid Council for his own purposes? Who indeed?
Thus begins one of the darkest adventures Terry has taken us on yet. Don't
miss this one.
July 1st Review by: Tyren
The story starts off a bit slow, but I think that plays into the pace of
the rest of the story nicely, as after a few chapters the book takes off
at lightning speed and doesn't look back! I think Terry has outdone
himself this time and produced a really solid and well thought out
story. I think the characters were fun and believable and each and every
one was important to the book. My only complaint is that Terry tends to
use a lot of 'quick props' to solve problems. And as soon as I read what
Pen was required to do, I thought that he could have found a better way
resolve the issue as opposed to him needing to go get a 'quick prop' to
solve the puzzle. I should add, however, that this is Terry's BEST book to date!
June 28th Review by: Muady
The arrival of Jarka Ruus was a joyous occassion for me. I wasn't
quite to the point where I would run up and down the house, telling the world
how delighted. I was delighted nonetheless. And I was scared to open the
book, though. Scared to open the package. When I finally did though, I
ending up ripping up the package because getting it open was frustrating
me. To my demise, I ended up being covered in fluffy packaging material.
I hate UPS now, but thats beside the point.
The reason I was so scared to start the book was because I
was so let down with the Voyage trilogy. I didn't admit it to myself at
first, but later I ended up seeing all those annoying flaws in Terry's
writing. I think perhaps its because as I'm broadening my tastes in
reading, and Terry, being my first venture into real reading, is starting
to seem lackluster because I am so used to his writing. But nonetheless, I began reading Jarka Ruus,
determined not to be swayed by fanboy attitudes. I began seeing these
little flaws that hardly would have mattered had I just sat down and
enjoyed the reading.
First of all, things seemed to well set up. Too convenient,
so that things seemed like plot devices. Not necessarily at the begining,
the begining chapters were good. It was the introduction of the new
Ohmsford and the realization of the quest at hand. The explanations as to
what's going to have to be done seemed too forward, to direct, and dare I
say cheesy?
Secondly...actually I don't think there is a secondly.
That's really all that I had to nitpick before being engrossed with the
story. When the plot thickened and complications arose, I really did
enjoy reading, and kept reading for longer periods of time. All the flaws
that made Voyage seem weak are gone. The uneven pacing, where things are
drawn out when you don't want them to be, and rushed when they shouldn't
have been, is gone. The blatantly corny dialogue doesn't stick out. And
most importantly, the plot seems much better. Don't get me wrong, I liked
the idea of a treasure hunt, but I don't think it executed well. The way
the plot in High Druid is moving, is seems very well played out.
One notable that really bugged me while reading the book is
Terry's casual use of magic to solve so many problems. It seemed trite
to me, and kind of ironic. When I met Terry in Seattle last summer, he
was preaching to our discussion group about how "less magic is more" and
how it would be less entertaining to have your main protagonists strike
down their enemies with lightning bolts whenever they run into a hot
spot. The too-often used magic is remedied though, for reason's that have
always been known to Shannara fans.
The classic Shannara clichés rear their ugly head again.
More or less the world is upset and only the next Ohmsmord in the
bloodline, one coming of age, is the only one who can accomplish what is
required. And although he reintroduces the basic clichés, which I think
are part of the charm of the books, he omits quite a few that have been
tiring across the course of the books.
But quite honestly, I really loved reading this book. Terry
introduces some new concepts of plot, character, and action that haven't
been seen before in a Shannara book. He also revisits some older things
that's are sure to treat fans. And not to mention new types of
assailants, magic, and really cool mishaps that occur within the story.
Jarka Ruus is quite like accelerating a car from gear to
gear. Once your finally up to speed, enjoying the thrill, and each page
is becoming more and more interest, you abruptly have to stop. And then
it's another year's wait for the next installment of The High Druid of
Shannara. It really feels just like when I read Heritage for the first
time.
Copyright © 2003 by Terry Brooks
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