Play Audiobook Sample
High Druid of Shannara: Jarka Ruus (Abridged) Audiobook
Play Audiobook Sample
(3.00) - 6,280 listener ratings
Quick Stats About this Audiobook
Total Audiobook Chapters:
Longest Chapter Length:
Shortest Chapter Length:
Average Chapter Length:
Audiobooks by this Author:
Publisher Description
More than a quarter of a century after The Sword of Shannara carved out its place in the pantheon of great epic fantasy, the magic of Terry Brooks’s New York Times bestselling saga burns as brightly as ever. Three complete series have chronicled the ever-unfolding history of Shannara. But more stories are still to be told—and new adventures have yet to be undertaken. Book One of High Druid of Shannara invites both the faithful longtime reader and the curious newcomer to take the first step on the next extraordinary quest. Twenty years have passed since Grianne Ohmsford denounced her former life as the dreaded Ilse Witch—saved by the love of her brother, the magic of the Sword of Shannara, and the destruction of her evil mentor, the Morgawr. Now, fulfilling the destiny predicted for her, she has established the Third Druid Council, and dedicated herself to its goals of peace, harmony among the races, and defense of the Four Lands. But the political intrigue, secret treachery, and sinister deeds that have haunted Druid history for generations continue to thrive. And despite her devotion to the greater good as Ard Rhys—the High Druid of Paranor, Grianne still has bitter enemies. Among the highest ranks of the Council she leads lurk those who cannot forget her reign of terror as the Ilse Witch, who covet her seat of power, and who will stop at nothing to see her deposed . . . or destroyed. Even Grianne’s few allies—chief among them her trusted servant Tagwen—know of the plots against her. But they could never anticipate the sudden, ominous disappearance of the Ard Rhys, in the dead of night and without a trace. Now, barely a step ahead of the dark forces bent on stopping him, Tagwen joins Grianne’s brave young nephew, Pen Ohmsford, and the wise, powerful elf Ahren Elessedil on a desperate and dangerous mission of search and rescue—to deliver the High Druid of Shannara from an unspeakable fate. Expect no end of wonders, no shortage of adventure, exhilaration, suspense, and enchantment, as Terry Brooks demonstrates, once again, that there is no end to his magic of invention and mastery of storytelling.
Download and start listening now!
"After reading the first few chapters, I got hooked. And after stopping, I realized that I was halfway through. Terry Brooks is able to continue the legacy of the Shannara bloodline, while adding new challenges, new adventures, and wonderful settings. hands down, a classic. "
— Jeffrey (5 out of 5 stars)
High Druid of Shannara: Jarka Ruus Listener Reviews
-
" I LOVE the High Druid series...very complex and with a lot of surprises! "
— Kate, 2/15/2014 -
" I enjoyed this book. I just wished it would have wrapped up a bit instead of leaving on a cliff hanger. I wish that more could have been accomplished by the main characters because it felt like it was too long for not much happening during that time. I will most likely finish the series, but I liked the main shannara series more than I'm liking this series. "
— Laura, 2/14/2014 -
" More of the same ol' Brooks. What's not to like? "
— Brett, 2/2/2014 -
" A great start to this trilogy within the Shannara series! I was so happy to see Grianne and Ahren again, as well as meeting wonderful new characters like Tagwen and Pen. I highly reccomend this series to any fantasy fan! The books just keep getting better and better! "
— Branwen, 2/2/2014 -
" Great start to this trilogy "
— Michael, 1/29/2014 -
" The knight guy is so tragic. I love him. "
— Lady, 1/28/2014 -
" Another story in the Shannara universe. This takes place 20 years after The Voyage of Jerle Shannara so there are some characters from those books in this book. Grianne is head of the Druids but not everyone supports her. This book is more political in nature and is a good read. Terry Brooks has carved out his formula for writing books and this follows suit. I was definitely interested in the book but like other recent Shannara books, it is not a stand alone and the adventure continues in the next book. I did love the scene with a character from his early works which I will not name so it can be a nice little surprise. "
— Jim, 1/22/2014 -
" I enjoyed this triogy very much. I have read a number of the Shannara books and I have not found one I have not liked. This book keeps right up. "
— Dale, 1/16/2014 -
" Good book, make sure you read all three, they leave off and it's frustrating if you don't have them to continue on and finish the story. "
— Savi, 12/28/2013 -
" Terry Brooks is amazing! Makes me want to start at the very beginning of the Shannara books again, but I want to go forward too! "
— Dianna, 11/28/2013 -
" Not my normal read but truly enjoyable if you like magic and adventure. "
— Gilly, 7/17/2013 -
" I felt pretty lukewarm about this one. It took a while to get into the story, but the end picked up a little. As part of my quest to read all of Brooks' Shannara series, I really felt that I was just checking this one off the list. Hopefully the next one will be better. "
— Shelley, 5/1/2013 -
" After reading the first few chapters, I got hooked. And after stopping, I realized that I was halfway through. Terry Brooks is able to continue the legacy of the Shannara bloodline, while adding new challenges, new adventures, and wonderful settings. hands down, a classic. "
— Jeffrey, 4/3/2013 -
" Pretty much the same review of Tanequil. I love that Grianne and Bek are back with the next generation kid too. "
— Samantha, 8/10/2012 -
" Found this title more engaging than previous attempts into Terry Brooks and would now like to complete the saga "
— Charlie, 5/29/2012 -
" This is the first of the Shannara series I've read (dumb I know) and I enjoyed it. I'm not usually a huge fan of fantasy, but this one grabbed me and was easy and fun to read. "
— Chris, 11/27/2011 -
" Fun book to read. It is a series which I enjoy. "
— Jennifer, 9/1/2011 -
" Kept me wanting more, had a hard time putting my kindle down. "
— Andrew, 7/10/2011 -
" this series is as good as the armagedion children---i love brooks stories "
— Mom, 5/16/2011 -
" I really enjoyed this book and this series, I prefer much of Terry Brooks new work than his old, i.e. sword, elf stones and wishsong. These are not so long more manageable and well just excellent "
— Keiran, 9/28/2010 -
" I need the sequel. The journey isn't over yet. It isn't badly written though. The writer knows what she's doing. "
— Louella, 5/12/2010 -
" This is the first of the Shannara series I've read (dumb I know) and I enjoyed it. I'm not usually a huge fan of fantasy, but this one grabbed me and was easy and fun to read. "
— Chris, 1/13/2010 -
" More of the same ol' Brooks. What's not to like? "
— Brett, 4/22/2009 -
" I felt pretty lukewarm about this one. It took a while to get into the story, but the end picked up a little. As part of my quest to read all of Brooks' Shannara series, I really felt that I was just checking this one off the list. Hopefully the next one will be better. "
— Shelley, 3/19/2009
About Terry Brooks
Terry Brooks has thrilled readers for decades with his powers of imagination and storytelling. He is the author of more than thirty books, most of which have been New York Times bestsellers. He is a recipient of the 2017 World Fantasy Association’s Life Achievement Award. His novels Running with the Demon and A Knight of the Word were chosen by the Rocky Mountain News as two of the best fantasy novels of the twentieth century.
About Charles Keating
Charles Keating has won three AudioFile Earphones awards for his audiobook narrations. His credits include works by P.D. James, Mark Haddon, Charmian Hussey, and Terry Brooks. He is British actor of stage, screen and television in addition to being an audiobook narrator. He has acted with the Royal Shakespeare Company, played Rex in ITV’s celebrated Brideshead Revisited miniseries, and had roles in television shows including Sex and the City, Another World, All My Children and As the World Turns. In 2001, he played the role of Carney/Oscar Wilde in the Lincoln Center Theater Performance of A Man of No Importance, and in 2007, he played the role of Clement O’Donnell in the Guthrie Theater production of The Home Place.