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For reasons known only to himself, the King of the Silver River has charged young Penderrin Ohmsford, barely more than a boy, with the daunting task of rescuing his aunt, Grianne, Ard Rhys of the Druid order, from her forced exile in the terrifying dimension of all things damned: the Forbidding. With the noble dwarf Tagwen and the prodigal elven princess Khyber Elessedil by his side–and with the outcome of the bloody war between the Federation and the Free-born at stake–Pen has accepted his mission without question. But not without risk . . . or sacrifice.
Because Shadea a’Ru, the ruthless Druid responsible for imprisoning the true Ard Rhys and usurping leadership at Paranor, has sent her agents and assassins in relentless pursuit of Pen and his comrades. And in securing the talisman he needs to breach the Forbidding, Pen has paid a devastating price. Now if the Free-born forces–already decimated by the Federation’s death-dealing new weapon–should fall, Shadea’s domination of the Four Lands will be assured. Nothing short of Pen’s success can turn the tide.
But Pen’s challenge grows greater when he learns that his parents, Bek Ohmsford and Rue Meridian, have fallen into Shadea’ s hands. He must try to help them–but once within the walls of Druid’s Keep, where Shadea’s minions and dark magic lurk at every turn, Pen’s survival is far from assured. Yet it will all pale in comparison to the horrors that wait inside the Forbidding–horrors poised to break free upon the Four Lands when the time is right. . . .
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Creators
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Series
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Publisher
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Release date
September 6, 2005 -
Formats
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OverDrive Listen audiobook
- ISBN: 9780739353080
- File size: 443375 KB
- Duration: 15:23:41
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Languages
- English
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Levels
- Lexile® Measure: 920
- Text Difficulty: 4-5
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Reviews
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Paul Boehmer's dramatic narration picks up this story with the young Penderrin continuing his quest to release his aunt from the Forbidding. Meanwhile his aunt, trying to survive while she awaits his coming (which was foretold), makes some important decisions about her future, and the Druids are attempting to protect their world from the forces unleashed at the time of her imprisonment there. Suspense and intrigue are fuel for Boehmer's earnest and steadfast presentation. He uses timing and tonality to good advantage in bringing alive the range of characters of many species that populate these worlds. Boehmer's engagement creates an energy and clarity that will guide newcomers to the series and welcome back followers. J.E.M. (c) AudioFile 2006, Portland, Maine -
September 1, 2005
In bestseller Brooks's satisfactory conclusion to his High Druid of Shannara trilogy (after 2004's Tanequil ), young Pen Ohmsford retrieves the "darkwand," whose magic will allow him to enter the Forbidding and find his aunt Grianne Ohmsford, the Ard Rhys of the lawful Druids and the Straken queen. Meanwhile, though the elven army has been defeated, Pied Sanderling leads a desperate (and well-depicted) commando-style operation to destroy a secret superweapon of the Federation. Pen's parents are simply trying to find their son. While the author may not equal the wit of his earlier Magic Kingdom of Landover series, his characterization has grown substantially more sophisticated over the years, and both his optimism about the triumph of virtue and his avoidance of graphic sex and slaughter make this series an excellent starting place for younger readers wishing to explore high fantasy. Agent, Anne Sibbald at Janklow & Nesbit . -
June 1, 2006
Straken is the finale to this epic fantasy of high adventure. Grianne Ohmsford, Ard Rhys of the Druid order, is rescued from her entrapment in the Forbidding by her steadfast nephew Pendarrin. He was forced to overcome danger and make sacrifices at every turn while Grianne had her hands full just staying alive in a land overpopulated with the evil minions of Faerie. She is freed just in time to win her final confrontation with the traitor druid Shadea aRu. War between the Federation and the Freeborn, diabolic weapons of destruction, a demon loose and threatening to release all the creatures of the Forbidding make for enough mischief to occupy trolls, elves, dwarves, and humans in a classic struggle of good vs. evil. Magic, always useful in a pinch, helps the heroes only when accompanied by true motives and nimble thought. Brooks includes appealing characters, exotic settings, and a fast-paced plot filled with plenty of suspense. Paul Boehmers mellow tone and perfect pace create a fine listening experience. Recommended for any library that holds or plans to acquire the other parts of the trilogy.Janet Martin, FirstHealth of the Carolinas, Pinehurst, NCCopyright 2006 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.
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As the heir apparent to J.R.R. Tolkien, author Brooks comports himself as well as can be expected, writing in a modern age with such gifts as he has. He is a skilled storyteller, but he has big slippers to fill. Charles Keating takes a good tale of witchcraft, sorcery, and political intrigue and brings it to the listener with polished craft, unique characterizations (How does a stone troll sound? Or a battling dwarf?), and intimate near-whispers. It is Keating's respect for the magic in the story that keeps it moving, enlivens its sometimes trite characters, and leaves one to marvel at the timbre and resonance of a talented voice actor. A worthy sequel and a listen not lacking in enchantment. D.J.B. (c) AudioFile 2004, Portland, Maine
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July 18, 2005
In bestseller Brooks's satisfactory conclusion to his High Druid of Shannara trilogy (after 2004's Tanequil
), young Pen Ohmsford retrieves the "darkwand," whose magic will allow him to enter the Forbidding and find his aunt Grianne Ohmsford, the Ard Rhys of the lawful Druids and the Straken queen. Meanwhile, though the elven army has been defeated, Pied Sanderling leads a desperate (and well-depicted) commando-style operation to destroy a secret superweapon of the Federation. Pen's parents are simply trying to find their son. While the author may not equal the wit of his earlier Magic Kingdom of Landover series, his characterization has grown substantially more sophisticated over the years, and both his optimism about the triumph of virtue and his avoidance of graphic sex and slaughter make this series an excellent starting place for younger readers wishing to explore high fantasy. Agent, Anne Sibbald at Janklow & Nesbit
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