Tanequil (High Druid of Shannara, Book 2) (Hardcover)

~ (Author) "Sen Dunsidan, Prime Minister of the Federation, paused to look back over his shoulder as he reached his sleeping chambers..." (more)
Key Phrases: scrye waters, diapson crystals, pilot box, Ard Rhys, Traunt Rowan, Sen Dunsidan (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

War threatens the Four Lands, and Shannara's only hope lies in Penderrin Ohmsford, but it's a dreadfully slim hope. To save his world, Pen must restore his aunt, the former Ilse Witch, to her rightful position as High Druid of Shannara. But first Pen must free his aunt Grianne from the Forbidding: the world of the demons. To have the slightest chance of freeing her, he must find the mystical tree called the Tanequil, and somehow craft a talisman from its wood. But Shadea a'Ru, the treacherous usurper of his aunt's position, will do anything to stop Pen--and she has already captured Pen's parents and forced them to reveal their son's whereabouts. Sen Dunsidan, the monstrous Prime Minister of the Federation, has armed his greatest airship with a horrible new weapon. And Pen is just a boy, accompanied on his dangerous quest by only a Dwarf, a young Elf, and a blind Rover girl.

Filled with action, treachery, and sacrifice, Tanequil will enthrall Terry Brooks's millions of fans as it roars to a shocking conclusion. However, newcomers to the Shannara series should not begin with Tanequil. It's the middle book of the High Druid of Shannara trilogy, and the thirteenth novel of a complicated high-fantasy series with numerous characters and sentient races. Newcomers should start with Jarka Ruus, the first book of the High Druid trilogy--or, better yet, with The Sword of Shannara, the first book of the series. --Cynthia Ward

From Publishers Weekly

Make a wish on an Elfstone and anything can happen, including a fresh second installment (after 2003's Jarka Russ) in Brooks's bestselling High Druid fantasy trilogy, part of the long-running Shannara series whose magic has been showing signs of wear. As the Free-born Federation war continues in the Four Lands, life is packed with peril for the Ohmsford family. While High Druid Grianne Ohmsford languishes in the Forbidding, a demon tracks her gifted nephew, Pen, with orders to kill him from the Druid responsible for her banishment, the evil Shadea a'Ru. Young Pen and his followers—perky Elven Elfstone carrier Khyber, grumpy dwarf Tagwen, blind Rover girl Cinnaminson and helpful Rock Trolls—seek the tanequil, a mysterious tree from which a "darkwand" must be formed that will aid Pen in rescuing his aunt from the Forbidding. Pen's parents, Bek and Rue, are also ensnared by Shadea, an uneasy ally of Sen Dunsidan, the Federation's prime minister. New readers may feel a little disoriented by unfamiliar references, but Brooks's efficient pacing, skillful characterizations and suspenseful plotting all bode well for the trilogy's conclusion.
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Product Details

• Hardcover: 368 pages
• Publisher: Del Rey; First Edition edition (August 31, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0345435745
• ISBN-13: 978-0345435743
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.1 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (53 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #206,411 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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• This is item 2 in The High Druid of Shannara Series.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Pretty Good story, but weak character development, October 16, 2004

By	J. Ward "Just another reader" (Raleigh, NC) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I have been a long time Terry Brooks fan from the time the Sword of Shannara came out through all his other books including the Magic Kingdom and all the Shannara books. I have to say I am somewhat dissapointed with the last series of Shannara books (Isle Witch, Antrax, Morgwar) and the current series (Jarku Russ, Tanequil).

I seems many authors seem to lose their flair over time (Piers Anthony, others) and Terry Brooks appears to be suffering somewhat from the same fate. The more recent books (Tanequil is no exception) lack depth and subtlety. The character development is weak. The only characters we get to know very much are Pen and Grianne. For the most part all the other characters come across as nothing more than props to the story and have little life on their own.

The story itself comes across as being old and predictable. Terry Brooks uses the same formula that he has used in the previous Shannara books and there is little original material. Basically the story comes down to, next generation Ohmsford coming of age is forced on an adventure, meets the King of the Silver River who sends them on a quest to find an item to save the world. There were several instances that I found myself able to predict what would happen much further down the story, such as the death of Ahren (in the first book), to what would happen to the Moor Cat, to Cinnaminson's fate and when the Druids would catch up to them.

The book does have some redeeming qualities, such as what happens to Grianne and her adventures, which I found to be refreshing and original. During Grianne's segments we do spend some time with her and get to know here, something that is lacking with the other characters. I think Terry Brooks would do well to take some time to add more depth (detail) and subtelty to his novels, and spend some time with some of the other characters so we can really see what makes them tick.

I would give this book three stars, but I just feel that Terry Brooks can do better.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A formual fanasty, September 25, 2004

By	S. L Schmock - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

TANEQUIL is the second installment of the story of Penderrin Ohmsford and his quest to free his aunt. Mr. Brooks has supplied Penderrin with a host of characters that are either out to stop him or aide him.
Overall, the book was a typical second volume - the go between. It picks up where the first left off and then leaves the reader waiting for the conclusion. This book is not for the first time reader of Mr. Brooks. My suggestion would be to start with the Heritage of Shannara and continue on to Tanequil. His earlier books are his best offering.

Also it is a typical offering from Mr. Brooks of late. His recent plots and characters have become flat. Penderrin lacks the dimension of his earlier ancestors from the Heritage of Shannara. I found story to be told, not as involving as in the earlier books. Surprises are in the character development or plot are minimal and rarely interesting.

Tanequil and a hot cup of tea is ideal for a winter night.

10 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating and suspenseful, September 14, 2004

By	Kurt A. Johnson (North-Central Illinois, USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 50 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

This is the second book in Terry Brooks' newest series, picking up immediately after Jarka Ruus. Penderrin Ohmsford and his friends are running for their lives from the Druids, now led by unscrupulous Shadea a'Ru. The only hope for them and Grianne Ohmsford (erstwhile Ard Rhys of the Druids) is to make it to the Tanequil and fashion a darkwand, which will enable Pen to retrieve Grianne from her exile in the Forbidding. But, can Penderrin keep himself alive long enough to complete his quest, and what will the cost be?

Even though this is the second book in a series, and as such has no true beginning and end, Terry Brooks succeeds in building a fascinating and suspenseful story. I have enjoyed this series so far, even more so than the Voyage of the Jerle Shannara series. I found this to be a gripping and fascinating story, one that I highly recommend to all fans of fantasy literature. Buy this book!