Straken marks the end of Terry Brooks' six book connected story arc about the fall and the ultimate redemption of the Ilse Witch/Grianne Ohmsford. But it is also the end of the stories about the Four Lands for now (his next book is a Pre-Shannara novel that will chronicle the beginning of the Great Wars and the destruction of the Old World (our world) and it may take up to nine books to tell the whole story). But it is left off in good terms. The book starts off right where Tanequil left off. Pen Ohmsford has given himself over to the Druids: Traunt Rowan and Pyson Wence, in hopes he can enter Paranor with the Darkwand and save his Aunt from the Forbidding. But while in route to the Druid's Keep he is found out and the Darkwand is taken away. Meanwhile, the eleven girl Khyber Elessedil has stowed away in another airship following the Druids. And in Paranor she breaks Pen free and he slips into the Forbidding. In the Forbidding, Weka Dart rescues Grianne Ohmsford from an unspeakable fate. They travel out of the clutches of the Strakenlord. Prompting many pitfalls along the way. Meanwhile, Pen has discovered his budding Wishsong talent and its connection to the Darkwand. He eventually after many pitfalls of his own finds his Aunt. The Federation is losing fast after the ship holding the fire weapon is damaged. But the demon that has taken the body of Iridia Eleri is hellbent on going to Arborlon and destroying the Ellcrys. It all converges in the most fast-paced ending. But in the end Grianne finally finds what she was always looking for: freedom. Rating: *****
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