Child of the Grove

The Wizard of the Grove Series, Book 1

By: Tanya Huff

Narrated by: Chelsea Stephens

Length: 9 hrs and 46 mins

Publisher's summary

Now available in a new audiobook edition, the first novel published by Tanya Huff—author of the acclaimed Blood Books series—is a tale of magic and betrayal in a realm where once-powerful magic is fading...and a girl whose gifts may be the key to overcoming an evil not known in an eternity....

In a far-ago age, wizards ruled the world with a power so dark even the Elder races feared them. But when their power caused them to unleash dragons from the depths of the earth itself, they were undone by their own hand, thus freeing the world.

Or so it was thought. For now, after many years of hard-won peace, the human kingdom of Ardhan is under threat from the dread king of Melac. Yet the real danger is the king’s counselor, Kraydak—a wizard who survived the slaughter of his kind and has waited until now to rise to power once again. But the world will not be as easy to vanquish this time.

For the royal family of Ardhan is no longer merely made of men. They have blended their destiny with the immortals who dwell in the Sacred Grove—a place untouched by darkness or death. And it will fall to the youngest of that enchanted bloodline to stand against the coming. Her name is Crystal. And she is the one thing in the world Kraydak fears.

©1988 Tanya Huff (P)2022 Blackstone Publishing

A precious memory

When I was in middle school, I read The Lord of the Rings for the first time. I remembered how torturous it was to finish the series and know that there were no more books. The author was gone, and there was nothing left. I felt so much despair, I thought I'd never be able to find another book worthy of reading. My parents tried to help me, by introducing me to a bunch of different kinds of books and authors. It wasn't until I found the omnibus version of this book, Wizard of the Grove, (a combination of Child of the Grove and The Last Wizard,) I finally read something that lived up to the great expectations that Lord of the Rings rings had created. For a very long time, I made a point of reading this book once a year. Each time I reread the book, I felt like my passion for reading this rekindled.

I cannot speak as to whether my opinion of the book continues to be overshadowed by the nostalgia it brings to me, but even now I still marvel at how wonderfully put together the story is. It is a beautiful blending of creation myth and hero's journey. In comparison to other books it is definitely much shorter especially when not omnibus, but it is well worth the journey. In the last 20+ years, I have recommended this book to many people. I have yet to meet somebody who followed the recommendation and not been fully satisfied. I hope that if you're reading this review, you are seriously considering reading the book or listening to the audiobook. I think it is well worth your time!

Nice tapestry

A multi generational lead up to a well woven story of magic and wit. Prequels would be a welcome addition to this amazing world.