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. . . .

Read Chapter one: http://info.randomhouse.com/cgi-bin21/DM/y/elXm0ILuVi0WM0f8m0EO

Advance Praise for STRAKEN!

Early this month 25 lucky winners got a chance to read Straken in advance of it's publication.

Here's what some of the winners had to say:

"I'm writing to tell you how pleased I was to receive an advance copy of Straken. The book was just fabulous!!! This is absolutely a must read. I am always a little leary of books that end a series. Sometimes you have so many questions about events that did or didn't happen; maybe your favorite character if forgotten because he or she wasn't extremely important to the plot. I have read the entire series and I am left with nothing to mull over. All events and people were given a destiny I can live with. I almost always rethink the author's choices. This was the very best book I have read this year!!! I absolutely loved it. The boy followed his heart and his Aunt made a choice that would forever change her life. The characters were so alive that they seemed to walk on the page. Thank you so much for sending this to me." —Marlene Bishop

"As always with Terry Brooks Shannara series in Straken you have a well written thrill ride that's hard to put down. Full of plot twists and turns." —Steven Follett

"What can I say about this author? Terry Brooks is phenomenal in his masterminding and creativity! What a gift he has! Straken is no different than any of his stories. I found myself so enthralled in it that I could hardly WAIT to pounce on the pages every time I sat down to read!

The man has such "vision" and deep feelings with his work! It makes me feel as though I am packing my bags for yet another of his journeys into the World of Shannara and the Olmsfords.

Each addition to his centuries of magic, wizardry, and the struggle between good and evil NEVER really loses touch with Flick, Shea and Allanon's beginning. So many authors fail to accomplish this.

Terry Brooks and his precious gift will stay with me always! I read his stories over and over, till his next masterpiece is born! Don't stop now, Terry! Or ever; for that matter! I'm truly HOOKED!" —Jeanne Quinn

"I can tell you that the book has lived up to all my expectations in concluding the latest trilogy of the Shannara series by Terry Brooks. He was brought the trials that are facing Pen, his family and allies to life. Often I wonder how Pen managed to survive in order to save his Aunt Grianne from the Forbidding and bring the Four Lands back into balance. How can the demon be stopped who has already set in motion the plan to destroy the Ellcrys.

The story is masterfully told with many twists, the characters must face hardships and sacrifice to fight for their lives and their world.

No one will be disappointed in this final chapter and once again will be left wanting more."

Please write another story soon. —Colleen Atherton