The Child of the Grove

Child of the Grove (1988) is the first fantasy novel in the Crystal duology. Millennia afore, the Wizards constructed the dragons and died while fighting them. Then the dragons had returned to the earth from which they were made. A millennium ago, seven clans had come south and settled there. They fought among themselves, but were wise enough to consider another way. The clan leaders chose one from among them to be the King and the others became Dukes within the Kingdom of Ardhan. In this novel, King Raen of Ardhan begat a child on Milthra, the Eldest hamadryad of the Sacred Grove. This child was named Rael and was both loved and feared by the people of Ardhan. Rael loves the blue-eyed daughter of the Duke of Belkar, but has not spoken to her about his love. Kraydak is the last survivor of the old Wizards. He had remained hidden for many centuries until he convinced himself that his dragon was dead. Then he became an advisor to the King of Melac. In this story, Rael visits his mother within the Sacred Grove. He asks her why she doesn't visit his father and she explains that a hamadryad cannot leave her tree and live. Yet she would welcome a visit from his father. When he returns to the palace, Rael asks his father why he doesn't visit his mother in the Sacred Grove. King Raen displays his aged face and tells him that the immortal hamadryad should not suffer the sight of his mortal self. Rael is convinced that his mother would appreciate a visit even from an aged mortal, but cannot find a way to tell this to his father. But his father has a surprise for him. Rael is to lead the Elite unit in the coming battle. The Elite captain -- Doan -- spars with Rael in front of the Elite troop and Rael's defeat wins their approval. After all, none of them can overcome their captain, but his efforts are praiseworthy. They acclaim Rael as their commander. Two weeks later, the armies of Ardhan leave for battle. They reach the pass while the Melac forces are still struggling through the mountains and slaughter the enemy forces. But Kraydak keeps sending more troops against them. Then King Raen is wounded and partially healed, but returns to battle against the enemy. Although Rael leads the Ardhan forces to victory against the Melacians, the king has a relapse and is slowing dying. When the final day comes, Raen has himself carried out to face his subjects. They are muttering about Rael and King Raen's appearance brings the objections to a head. Then Milthra appears and the people are amazed. Both the King and the Eldest die in front of the people and are buried in the Sacred Grove. Rael is acclaimed as the new king. This tale skips forward four generations and introduces Tayer, the third child of the king. She encounters an Elder being within the Sacred Grove and becomes pregnant with his child. Her daughter is named Crystal and becomes a wizard. The war with Melac is renewed after Crystal becomes an adult and she faces the mag

Chid of the Grove isn't your everyday fantasy book. The plot wasn't where she saved the world single-handedly. The author knew that it is next to impossible and she made sure her readers knew it. The twist was origional.The next one in the series is slightly more pradictable, but it's still unique.

the first bit of child of the grove(about Prince Rael), while interesting and extremely well written, should not have been part of the actual book. It was more of a rpologue type of thing or a prequel. Other wise, it was an excellent book.

This is the first book by Tanya Huff that I bought...and I loved it! I really enjoyed how Mrs. Huff portrayed Crystal, and the problems of what a teenager has to go through (especially if you are one of the only two wizards left in the world) It must not be easy when your young and have to destroy a wizard that is older and almost more powerfull than you are. What I am saying is that this book is a MUST! The characters are imaginable and the settings are real (if it can be defined as real?). Do yourself a favor, when your at the bookstore next time pick up this book, and be taken away to a new world

Child of the Grove is fierce and imaginative, combining the rich mythology of a new country with the problems of being a teenager... with all the little extras, like the power to blow someone up with a wave of your hand. I suppose it doesn't help to have a man, hundreds of years older than you, trying to kill you... This first book of the adventures of Crystal, Child of the Grove, is well-written, with vivid descriptions. It instills a good sense of the rulings of a kingdom, as well as how an immortal might think if she had to die-- part of the introduction. It also includes the ravages of war-- and the eventual outcome that may not be all that you think.