Book Review: Tanequil

Reviewed By: Harriet Klausner

Tanequil     Amazon US HC Amazon Canada HC
Terry Brooks
Class/Genre:   Fantasy
Series: High Druid of Shannara # 2
Del Rey, Sept 2004, $26.95, 368 pp.

The dark creatures of faerie were banished to Jarka Ruus otherwise known as the Forbidding which is warded by the Elven tree the Ellcrys to prevent the creatures from coming into the world of Shannara. Grianne Ohmsford, the rightful High Druid of Paranor, was betrayed by a Druid who coveted her power position. With the help of Sen Dunsidan, the Prime Minister of the Federation, the traitor opened a portal and sent Grianne into the Forbidding. Shadea, the new High Druid is using Druid magic to become the ruling force in the Federation.

Shadea’s ally Sen is using the same tactics to become the ruling power in the land. Grianne must come back to bring peace to a troubledworld and the only one who can find her and bring her home is her nephew Pen Ohmsford. To enter the Forbidding he must find the sentient tree the Tanequil and persuade it to give him a branch so he can finish a dark wand that will allow him to enter through a portal at the Druid home of Paranor. Time is running out because Grianne is turning back into the Isle witch in order to survive the evil that surrounds her.

Terry Brooks has once again created a fantastic fantasy set in the world of Shannara as well as in its evil twin the Forbidding. The contrast between these two worlds is the difference between dark and light with each a fascinating creation from the author’s creative imagination. Terry Brooks is a brilliant world builder who is one of the premier fantasists around today with protagonists that claim a unique place in the reader’s heart.

Harriet Klausner

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Harriet Klausner