The Voyage of the Jerle Shannara: Ilse Witch

****** SOME SPOILERS AHEAD********************

(although, considering how predictable this story is, I'm not sure they qualify as "spoilers")

ok, be honest.

how many of you avid brook's fans out there actually thought that Kian would make it all the way home, the Morgawr might be a challenge to defeat, or that anything would happen to Bek, Quentin and Rue?

The thing is, Brooks hasn't done anything different with his characters since the last series. The Ohmsford, Leah and the various love interests always survive unbelievably adverse conditions and overwhelming personal challenges, while the superbly trained Elven Hunters die uselessly at a moment's notice. They're basically like an advanced warning system for the rest of the company; when an Elf keels over, something bad is about to happen.

Here's a shocker: Druid's keep secrets!!! I get the point! Considering that this book does not even have a Druid, its sickening how many times this is repeated. And what about Panax? When he didn't do anything in the first book, I thought Brooks was saving him up for something special, but nope. He did nothing more significant than scout out trails for the Rindge to follow. Heck, he didn't even manage to get killed, something Brook's characters generally find very easy to do! The only characters I liked were Ryer and Ahren, as they were huge emotional focal points in the book. But even though Ahren feels he was essentially useless in the voyage, Brooks gives him nothing more than the consolation kill of Cree Bega.

********** NO MORE SPOILERS*************

Characters aside, the series was a servicable fantasy. The mysterious old-world technology is even more interesting when it is described as being so similar to ours. Brook's strength is his locations and ability to describe everything in a more than tangible way; events take on a surreal, subliminal and ephemeral quality. I only wish that he had put in more dialogue to flesh out his characters, rather than rely so heavily on long tracts of soul-searching to explain their dispositions.

In summary, the characters were the usual disappointment, but the conflict of magic vs. science kept this series alive. since antrax was pretty much finished in the last book, this one wears a bit thin.

Hunter Predd, on his Roc Obsidian, was patrolling near Wing House when he notices a man clinging to a piece of wood in the raging waters. He rescues the man who barely survives. He takes the man to a healer, but hides the map and bracelet the victim carried. He takes them to the Elf King Allordon Elessedil who recognizes the bracelet as that worn by his brother when last seen thirty years ago. Allordon's sibling searched for valuable treasure using the now missing Elfstones of Shannara.

Allordon summons Walker, the last Druid, to visit him though they have not talked to one another in years. Upon learning what Allordon knows, Walker realizes the importance of the treasure as a powerful magical tool that could change the world order. They agree to form a team to find the treasure even as though Walker knows that his greatest enemy, the Witch Isle, watches them to gain possession for herself.

Twenty-three years have passed since the release of the exciting THE SWORD OF SHANNARA. That world and the environs of THE VOYAGE OF JERLE SHANNARA: ILSE WITCH are quite different. However, both books and the many in between share in common the writer's ability to make that imaginary world seem real. This epic fantasy is filled with brilliant characters, an enthralling story line, and an urge that leaves the audience obsessing for the next two novels in the latest trilogy. Terry Brooks remains a master storyteller who makes the unbelieveable seem genuine.

Harriet Klausner

Airships, Harrowing Islands, and a Conflicted Druid! This next book in the long time Shannara series is a slight departure in some ways, but reveals some comforts of the past books that many of us have come to love.
Walker Boh from the 4-book 'Heritage of Shannara' series is back as the new Druid. Although he may be a druid, he lacks virtually none of the characteristics of previous stable, aggressive, covert druids of the past. Instead, he is a conflicted mess of turmoil, doubt, and overt manipulation that some of his journey-mates find quite frustrating. This departure is a welcome rew role for Terry Brooks to write about since it shows the depth of his style and character development as he has matured as a writer. This role is more gritty, more human, and more difficult to communicate than previous main characters in some of his books.
In fact, this is one thing I really enjoyed about 'Ilse Witch': it was darker, grittier, and more harrowing compared to its predecessors. Brooks takes this feel and injects it into a fast paced book with plenty of character development. Traveling further out into the blue divide than he has ever taken us before, the passengers aboard the Jerle Shannara have to pick up keys on three successive islands that will help them unlock secrets at their final destination regarding the "old world" mystery. I think that Brooks is up to something here in opening up the old world information, but the way he gets his characters there is spine-tingling just the same. Brooks dreams up horrors and scares anew that kept me on the edge of my seat and reading into the wee hours.
The airships are a certain departure that is welcome with the pace of the action. Certainly the Ilse Witch herself is a compelling character as she chases the Jerle Shannara in her own airship. Overall, this is an excellent next step in the already classic Shannara series, but this hardcover book, by far, has the most beautiful cover I have ever seen. Buy it for whats inside, but enjoy the outside too.

I've enjoyed most of Terry Brooks Shannara books, and I did enjoy this one too. It was fast-paced and I also read it fairly quickly.
Unfortunately, the reason for the quickness is that most of it has been done by Brooks before. It's a rehash of the entire series, with characters given new names. There's the tough, strong highlander, the mysterious druid (though I did like how Walker kept trying really hard not to be like Allanon, but rarely succeeded), a Shannara descendent, etc.
The other annoying part was how the book just ended without any sort of resolution whatsoever. In the past, Brooks has been really good at bringing each book to a close, even as he left room for the next book. This time, the entire book is a set up for the next one. When he glossed over the retrieval of the keys, I thought it was going to be a rushed book. Instead, it turns into a very uneven book, as Brooks rushes from action to action, and then abrubptly stops as the book ends.
All of these words have been negative so far, but I did ultimately enjoy the book. I think I'm nostalgic for the world (it's been awhile since I've read the previous books) and I like the characters. I just wish they'd been a bit different.

Terry Brooks has written another masterpiece. This book is truly exciting and left me on edge throughout. In this installment, he focuses on the group of adventurers after the destruction of Antrax, the evil magical force from book two. Druid Walker Boh has been left mortally wounded from his encounter with Antrax, and the Ilse Witch was forced to confront her evil doings by the Sword of Shannara. The Witch, who has finally accepted that she is Grianne Ohmsford, Bek's sister, withdraws deep within herself after seeing the vision in the Sword. She is unable to forgive herself for what she had become and completely shut herself off from everyone, including Bek. However, Bek is determined to break through to her and release her from her trance-like state. Meanwhile, the evil Morgawr, a magical creature thousands of years old and the trainer of the Ilse Witch, has commandeered a fleet of airships to seek out the Witch and destroy her. He will stop at nothing until the Witch is either dead or he has sucked the lifeforce from her. There are many adventures throughout as the Morgawr attemts to capture the Witch and as the group tries to escape. The airship battles are told in vivid detail, as well as the various encounters the group comes upon.
The book is excellent. I could not put it down. It is loaded with action and adventure on every page and left me wanting more. The ending is a real cliff hanger and sets the stage for the next trilogy, which is due to start next year. I highly recommend this book. It is a fitting conclusion to the "Voyage" trilogy.

Generations after his victory over the Shadowen, the `Dark Uncle' Walker Boh has still failed to establish a new order of Druid scholars and peace keepers. His suggestions and efforts have been met by all nations of the Four Lands with distrust. He is on the verge of giving up when fate throws him an opportunity, in the form of a castaway. A broken and presumed dead prince, bearing a map to an unknown countinent across the sea. A map which promises treasure in the form of "old world" magic. Walker is the only man who can undertake such a quest, and as such finds himself with the bargaining power to see all his goals fulfilled.

But the Ilse Witch, a girl who Walker once sought to make his apprentice, has learned of the map and treasure as well. She has already put her own plans into motion to make the treasure her own, and destroy Walker in the process.

This book and trilogy are exciting and entertaining. The ever changing world of the Four Lands is as amazing and fantastic as ever. Brooks' ability to create well rounded four dimensional characters with personal conflicts that people can relate to is something that is sorely lacking other fantasy/science fiction novels.

If you are new to Terry Brooks, or new to the `Shannara' novels I would recommend this book (and trilogy) as an excellent place to start. If you are familiar with the Shannara novels you might want to check out my full review of the trilogy under "Morgawr (Voyage of the Jerle Shannara Book 3)."

Fantasy master, Terry Brooks, has officially homed back on his prodigious throne of the ambitious Shannara series. Indisputably the classic that has earned him a highly accomplished status, "The Sword of Shannara" determined the glorious fate of Terry Brooks. Although, I'm not the biggest fan of his non-Shanarra books (with the only exception of The Phantom Menace) when I heard that his flagship franchise was released, I galvanized to my nearest bookstore and eagerly anticipated the paperback to be yet another luxuriant read. Looking forward for a mega collection of in depth sceneries, I was utterly blown to despair when Brooks failed to do so. As if targeted for a younger audience, The Voyage of Jerle Shannara has been written in the less description, more imagination approach. A bit infuriated, my hands sought to hurl the book across the room, but once the attachment with the characters became evident I finished the book to the very end.
Set during the current period in the Four Lands, Walker Boh has awakened from his life-expanding Druid sleep. Deciphering a mysterious scroll sent by an emissary of the late Allardon Elessedil, Walker unravels a potent magic that may hopefully stabilize the quarreling Four Lands. The celestial magic has been sited far in an elusive ocean where a continent known as the Blue Divide awaits. Lacking the man power and the resources, Walker sways Elf King Allardon to supply him with a small band of Eleven Home Guard and funds. Soon the Druid recruits the nomadic Rovers as the most excellent crew for an airship. Quentin Leah and a scrawny yet vital character, Bek Rowe, also join forces. Together, the crew journeys on airship through three perilous islands for the keys to ultimately unlock the magic found in the Blue Divine. A mystifying sorceress wielding the magic of the WishSong utilizes a network of spies to trail behind Walker's expedition. Intent on false vengeance, the Isle Witch realizes the confrontation with the Druid will be grueling, but her bitter resolve overcomes all fear.
Exceptionally executed, the superb characterizations render the book to be more than just another face in the crowd. The diversity and relationships between the characters, like the Isle Witch and Bek, are beyond comparison with other fantasy books. Readers who ventured onto prior Shannara books can expect the cushy fantasy, swords and sorcery, and multiple fictitious creatures. However, gone are the powerfully alluring descriptions of consummate settings Brooks has been recognized for. In regard to the Shanarra series, expectations for the series and future ones are extraordinarily high and with the lost of great, slow paintings of surroundings, Brooks in my book has faltered. Hard.

Terry Brooks writes another great book to show why he is one of the best fantasy writers. I really enjoyed this book and read it in one (long) day. In this book Brooks takes you inside the mind of a Druid. You understand that while you and Walker the Druid don't like his using people, he must. You get the feelings of someone who is compelled to use others and yet abhores it at the same time. Fortunately, Brooks develops his characters without overdoing it as some do.
As in many fantasies, these are unlikely heros that must do more than they believe they can. They are average people just as us. Some of the characters live under the misperceptions of who they are just as many people. We learn the lessons of honesty, love of companions and courage all without being preached to or knowing it.
The voyage harkens back to C.S. Lewis's Voyage of the Dawn Treader or even probably farther back to Jason and the Argonauts or the Voyages of Sinbad. As any good fantasy Brooks appeals to the myths of humankind.
This book also has one of the neatest covers with a translucent dust jacket.
This is one of his best so step aboard the Jerle Shannara and join the Voyage.

I was so excited that Terry Brooks had returned to the Shannara series I could hardly wait for my copy to arrive. I have to admit to skimming through parts of the book after first receiving it and feeling somewhat disappointed. I thought Walker showed too much emotion and feeling for a Druid and I did not care for many of the new characters. However, I made myself start from the beginning and I have to say I couldn't put it down. In reading the book in whole, I appreciated the characters more and also the feeling of Walker still adjusting to being a Druid and his own feelings about it. I do wish, however, that more explanation could be given as to what happened to the previous characters rather than just generalizations. I must also confess to some disappointment to the use of airships. Although I know 100+ years have passed since the last Shannara books and they, too, must progress, air travel (other than by Rocs) seems to take the story more into the science fiction realm rather than maintaining the feeling of fantasy. Having said all that, however, I can hardly wait for the next book to come out and have started all over again with the very first Shannara book to refresh my memory and to make comparisons to the newest. I hope it won't be a long wait.

This is my first Terry Brooks book. Considering his popularity, I thought it was about time I read one. Unfortunately, I've picked up what might not be Terry at his best. While this was book was okay, it seemed like more of a "teaser" to me.
The story started off pretty good with the hint of mystery, danger, and adventure -- which is right up my alley. Unfortunately, the story never really delivered. The characters were interesting, and I found myself liking them and wanting to follow the story to see what would happen. The descriptions of events was good too. It was very easy to visualize the characters in action because of Terry's writing style in this area. The plot on the other hand is what is lacking. The story would be going along pretty good, building up to what I thought would be something "big" happening. But instead, that storyline would just kind of fizzle out -- which is why I call the book a teaser. You're given hints of something greater than what is actually delivered. The plot held a lot of promise, but the author didn't quite deliver in the way I'm assuming he could have.
But overall, the book was still decent and I don't regret spending the money on it because even though I think it could have been better, I like Terry's writing style. The book will either leave you wanting more or wondering if the next book in the series will be worth the wait. I'm still undecided.

After having dropped off the Terry Brooks bandwagon for many years due to his departures into the Magic Kingdom For Sale (SOLD) and other more recent series, I was apprehensive about "The Ilse Witch."

But by the time I had read the first few lines I was hooked. I enjoyed the ties to the past to the early Shannara works, as well as the way Brooks brought Walker the Druid into a more mature character, fully cognizant of his own mortality, and aware of his own shortcomings and vulnerabilities, while yet preserving his abilities to rise to the occassion.

The Ilse Witch character was interesting given her background and the situation from which her journey into evil began.

The premise for the book and the melding of magic and technology is not a new concept. But Brooks gave it some nice twists.

Truks Rohls is an engaging character and his timely arrivals are a signal that something very dramatic is about to happen.

Best of all, Brooks has evolved into a very economical writer. The book is fast paced and extremely well written, with no wasted time or words.

Highly recommended either as a way to continue traveling in Shannara or as an entry point from which to travel back in time.

To me, the pinnacle of this series was the portion dealing with the computer, Antrax, but I also wondered very much how the situation with the Morgawr was going to be resolved and how Grianne, formerly the Ilse Witch, would confront and accept her evil deeds. Bek displays a true tenderness as he helps her in her time of vulnerability.
I was also secretly hoping that at least one elven ranger would make it. But alas, out of principle, they had to be killed off to the very last. And oh yes, I quite understand that Mwellrets have GIMLET eyes. I was reminded of this on numerous occasions. But these were but small points of contention as I observed the corrupt politics of the Federation and wondered how the good guys could possibly survive the Morgawr's fleet. The heroes have failed in their mission in some ways and succeeded in others. Now they have been reduced to raw survival and the reader waits to see how the battered remnants of the crew will ever reach home alive.

The description at the back of the book is naturally misleading - it trills that "Brooks set the new standard for the genre with his astounding first novel" and that now "he embarks on what promises to be his masterpiece." Gimme a break! This is a lightweight fantasy book, not high epic literature. Thankfully, this book is probably the first book that doesn't bear such an obvious similarity to "Lord of the Rings", though there are echoes galore from Tolkien's master-work. His world of the Four Lands has been the setting for his previous books, and now a range of characters sets off over the Blue Divide (the ocean) on a quest that isn't solely about destroying evil - the reasons for it are more personal and political.

"The Voyage of the Jerle Shannara" is the first of a trilogy, and this particular volume is called "Ilse Witch" (each book is named after a villain). It is set about one hundred and fifty years after the events of the quartet "Heritage of Shannara", and its last remaining character Walker remains in the Druid Keep of Paranor, nursing his dream of creating an independent Druid Council to exist and interact in the Four Lands. This dream is about to be stirred up once more with the discovery of an Elf floating in the ocean by a Wing Rider named Hunter Predd. He is wearing a bracelet and carries a map - a map that shows the way to an island where a great power is said to reside.

Walker is determined to set out and fetch this great treasure regardless of the risks, and goes about bringing together a crew. This takes up nearly half of the book, and is the most dull and sluggish part of the story, especially since all his characters bear uncanny resemblances to past characters in his books. Bek Rowe (like Shea and Par Ohmsford before him) is your standard `Luke Skywalker' figure, who remains utterly dull throughout the book. As usual, someone from the Leah family is present - in this case Bek's cousin Quentin, whose presence is so minimal it doesn't warrant his inclusion in the story. Throw in some Rovers - brother and sister team Redder Alt Mer and Rue Meridian - who are given a lengthy introduction and then ignored completely, and a `shadow' character - Truls Rokh, a mysterious being that hides behind a dense cloak. Someone from the Elessedil family is always necessary - in this case Ahren Elessedil, the younger brother of the new king who is seeking to prove himself, and a seer named Ryer Ord Star who helps out by making cryptic prophesies. Finally, there is the dwarf Panax, another character who has no visible purpose, three Wing Riders including Hunter Predd. and Walker himself to lead the voyage.

Once the airship "Jerle Shannara" sets off, Walker explains what the map implies - that to reach the island of Ice Henge and the city of Castledown they must first visit three islands in order to get three keys that will unlock their way. This in itself is a rather dull idea - the ship formulaically reaches the three islands, the crew looses unnamed (and therefore unimportant) personnel that Brooks uses as cannon-fodder, and Walker gains the key. This particular element of killing off various members of elf-security just to show the reader how dangerous the situation is especially annoying. Take also for example the three Wing Riders - they listed as Hunter Predd, Po Kelles and Gill. Guess which one dies. That's right, the one that's not important enough to have a last name. On the topic of names, another thing annoys me - even toward the end of the book he's still calling his characters by their full names. That is, instead of simply `Rue', he continually writes `Rue Meridian'. Instead of just `Ryer' it's always 'Ryer Ord Star'. Why he insists on doing this is beyond me, but it's very irritating.

Behind the ship continually lurks the sinister Ilse Witch, who despises Walker and seeks to sabotage the mission, kill Walker and claim the prize that awaits. But she has a connection to one of the people on board the "Jerle Shannara", someone who has been brought in the hope that she can be persuaded back to her former life. In turn, she is being watched by her mentor the Morgawr, and all parties are heading towards yet another evil - the being that awaits them in Castledown.

There is a touch more science-fiction in this installment, which doesn't really impinge on the fantasy elements of the story, but also don't really need to be in the story at all. Why do we need airships - great vessels that fly in the air? What's wrong with average ships, especially since most of the action takes place at sea? Brooks has mentioned in previous books the distant past that is hinted at being technologically advanced, and here explores this idea a bit more fully. The characters are rather one-dimensional, but the quest itself (despite its slow-going) has a tantalising mystery to it that warrants your attention.

As you may have expected, it ends on a cliff-hanger, which means you'll need the second part "Antrax" on hand to find out what happens. As far as `Shannara' novels go, this one is adequate. Although very slow to start, and then stuck with your standard `reach island, avoid dangers, get the key' plot device, the ideas, intrigue and suspense does keep you interested enough to push on with reading it.

While this book at first seems to be something new for Brooks, with no major world-threatening Dark Lord or cataclysm looming, no massive battles between elvish and demon-inspired armies, and a new and world-altering technology in the Four Lands, in the end, we still get the same old Brooks here. The characters are exactly the same as in previous books, just with new names (with the exception of the excellent and original Truhls Rohk). We have the Druid, the highlander, the dwarf, and the reluctant and confused young hero that can't figure out his place. The Druid still finds it necessary to conceal and deceive, and hates himself for it. The heroic brothers (er.. cousins here) promise to take care of each other while you just know something will come between them. And there are plenty of other parallels between this one and past Brooks books. So while this book describes a quest to find some powerful magic from the "Old World", and not a battle with an evil force bent on world domination, the story reads much the same as the previous Shannara books.

The majority of this first book in the trilogy is spent introducing the rather large company that goes on the voyage. In fact, so much time was spent in early character development that the end of the book felt rushed and ill-timed. After spending close to 300 pages assembling the company and describing the huge adventure to undertake, the actual journey and the excitement therein happens in the blink of an eye. Hopefully the story will slow down a bit and allow for some more detailed accounting of the rest of the adventure in the next book. That being said, the last part of this one was very good, and while it ended in a brutal cliff-hanger, compelled me to up my rating to the honorable 4-STARS.

Overall, I couldn't help but to be somewhat disappointed in this one, with its formulaic outline and delivery and the slow beginning, but I do have hopes for the rest of the series. Recommended with reservation to fans of Brooks' other work. But save yourself some money and some shelf space by getting all three books of the trilogy in one volume: The Voyage of the Jerle Shannara Trilogy.

Morgawr begins with Sen Dunsiden witnessing the terrible power of the Morgawr himself. We jump to a world away as the last remnents of the Jerle Shannara, try to repair the ship so they can make their way towards home. But there is a new snag, the Morgawr is in Parkasia, looking for not only Walker Boh, but also Grianne Ohmsford the Ilse Witch.

But Grianne is not herself. Because of the power of the Sword of Shannara, she is now locked inside herself. The truth of who and what she has become to devestating she has shut down. Her only hope is Bek, her brother. But can he convince everyone else that she deserves a second chance.

So, the Voyage trilogy comes to a close, as the crew an party make their way home, haunted by the Morgawr. And one woman may find the strength to forgive herself, even if she can never recieve redemption from the ones she has hurt.

I very much enjoyed this book. Unlike some of the other fantasy series I follow which tend to go off track, create to many characters, or get lost in their own complex world- Brooks is concise and has a purpose to his books.
With very readable writing style you easily get caught up in the world Brooks has created. The well developed characters let you identify with them thus entrenching your emotions into the book.
I must have read this book in 3 days, just blasted through it.
Ready many of brooks earlier Shannara series; the earliest are the toughest to get through, the latter the best; I think he is returning to his best form.
This book resolves issues brought up in the previous book and puts a few new ones out there to peak your interest in the next. I'm very interested in the next read, great book Terry!

Rehashed plot, rehashed story lines and I think Terry Brooks has lost his muse. Man, this was just horrible. Frankly, the first two in this series were the same, as was the Heritage of Shannara series.
Why do you keep reading Terry Brooks you ask? Because in 1980, Sword of Shannara was the first fantasy book I ever read and I read it over and over and over ( I was 10 and this was all new). Even now, knowing that the Sword of Shannara was shall we say a "homage" to Lords of the Ring, I still love it. Call it that clinging to innocent youth. Same deal with Elfstones, not so much with Wishsong, but I enjoyed the First King of Shannara. The rest of the series is pure scripting by the numbers that I simply read in hopes that I get that that same feeling again that I had with Sword.
Anyway, this was just horrible. The only character of interest was the Shape Changer Truls, after that, I couldn't care for anyone. Oh yes, even though Shea Ohmsford and Menion Leah have been dead for hundreds of years, the same characters exist in Bek and Quention. You can also find identical versions in his other books. Same old story: (1) orphan; (2) wizened sage; (3) bad guy; (4) save the world or get artifact.
Try reading Martin, Lynn Flemming, Hobbs or Keyes if you want to really get into a book. Keep reading this if you are one of those folks out there that keeps hoping that the Shannara series will be like it was the first time you read Sword

Terry Brooks hasn't failed to deliver starting from when I was 12 Years old (Sword of Shannara). This work as usuall is hauntingly beautiful and completely unforgetable. As well it leaves me craving any more Shannara releases in the future. As far as the Tolkien comparisons........anything beyond the races is pure imagination. Tolkien had tendencies to leave me bored....as Brooks has always kept my attention. Don't get me wrong...I love Tolkien for what he began.....but just like Japan with American Technology....there is always room for improvement. I would recommend this book for anyone and everyone...as well as all the other Shannara books....you will not be dissapointed. Thanks Mr. Brooks for offering us all a chance to escape from this mundane world for a short time and share yours with you.

Terry Brooks is clearly one of the most powerful writers of modern fantasy, and he deserves to be. But this strongly written but ultimately predictable novel does little to add to what has already been done a million times. With the exception of a mysterious sci-fi city and some rather complex characters, there is nothing in this book that rises above the typical. We have exactly the elements to be found in every other fantasy novel - elves and faeries, swords and sorcery, mythical creatures, a battle between mysterious forces of good and evil, and don't forget the obligatory quest where everyone finds themselves and learns their true strengths. So while this book has everything you would expect, there is very little that you wouldn't expect form this type of story, and that's the problem. Then there's the especially predictable cliffhanger leading into the next book of the trilogy, which gives Brooks no reason to try to wrap up any of the plot elements in this volume, as he utilizes the typical trilogy format that can be seen from a mile away. Brooks is certainly a strong and talented writer, and if you're a devotee of fantasy in its most dependable and unchallenging form, then he has delivered the goods with precision yet again. But if you're looking for something new or unexpected, you're in the wrong place.

I bought the book mainly because its cover is awesome. Luckily, the book was just as fun. I didn't have trouble keeping all the characters in place, and the fetch-quests were fun. I've played enough fantasy games to appreciate fetch-quests.

The only thing that bugs me is that the main mission is so vague, I can't help wonder how it got underway in the first place. Considering the amount of resources involved, I would've needed a lot more to go on before I would even consider going along. But that's just me. As a book, it's fun, with wonderful imagery. I may even finish out the trilogy.

Going by the subtitle, the reader would think that the book's focus would be on the Morgawr, a powerful, elder being seeped in magic. Instead, the book continues to pace itself between all the characters giving the reader a feeling of jumping from movie serial to movie serial.
Given that the book is the last book of the trilogy, the ending should wrap up all the loose ends. Although the characters come together and some get their comeuppance, there are just as many questions raised as answered. What will the Rovers do now? What will the Ilse Witch do now? What will the elves do?
This is not an altogether bad thing. For those of us who find ourselves always waiting for the next Terry Brooks book, we have solace in knowing that there must be new Shannara books on the horizon to answer these questions.

I think Terry Brooks Shannara Books were some of the first fantasy novels I started reading(along with Piers Anthony)
I find all of his character to be very strong and the story flows just right.
I never feel get that jarring feeling when being switched from one character to another at all...again it flows well.
I read this novel in one day because i had the hardest time putting it down.
I just finished Antax(the second in the series) and am anxiously awaiting to start on the final one.
I also hear some more titles will be released sometime this year and I look forward to reading those as well.
Its fair to say that I dont feel bored at all with all the Shannara books!!
Fiona

Let's start with positive:
The story flows well, nothing happening to abrutply that was not established in the previous books of the series
didn't skip anything critical
kept the plot where it was going, didn't have the characters go anywhere they shouldn't have
enough plot twists, but not to the point where I was confused
a nice conclusion, tightly wrapped with a well-written final confrontation
Now the negative
It seemed very much to me like he was trying to cram to much in too little, like trying to fit an elephant in the trunk of a mini-van. I think that it was a miracle that he was able to find his way to the climax from the worst case scenario in 100 pages, that is what I'm talking about when I say crammed, almost, but not, to the point where it seemed almost lazy not to add the vivid details clearly placed in his previous works.
The relationship, as there is in most, if not all, his works, is quite possibly the most cheesy of them all. This is the only exception to the way the book flows. Though it seemed genuine, it seemed to appear almost out of nowhere. If you've seen hints of it in the previous books of the series, the jump the relationship takes is nowhere near the magnitiude it is in the third book. I think it would be best if he had omitted the whole part because it almost seemed imaginary, taking shape with little focus on it in the last 200 pages.
Overview
All in all it was a great way of putting it all together. I enjoyed the book very much and thought it another good finish.
Not his best, but certainly not his worst.
Some advice to people reading the negative reviews, (anything given a 2 to a 1) I would say the authors of those reviews concentrated completly on the negative. Those authors seem to neglect and/or take for granted that all the books are great works of literature.(note their lack of punctuation and neglect for proper grammer and sentance construction)

The struggle between science and magic, good and evil comes to a fresh conclusion in the final book in The Voyage of the Jerle Shannara trilogy.
Of course, we know that good will triumph. To be critcal on that point is to miss the thrust of the trology entirely. The beauty of fantasy is partly in the journey each character takes toward revelation and maturation. There are the twin themes of redemptioon and forgiveness, and those themes are embraced by loyalty and love.
Without giving anything away, it is obvious this not the end of the Shannara books. Mr. Brooks has provided a glimpse into the world beyond this trilogy - a world yet to be explored.
I can hardly wait.

Books like this are why Terry Brooks is my favorite fantasy author. It's another adventure in the Four Lands with the same sort action, suspense, and colorful characters featured in Sword of Shannara and Heritage of Shannara. The only thing I found a little odd is the way Brooks likes to use the same characters in all his Shannara adventures: e.g, all three shannara series featured a Leah, Quentin Leah in this series, Morgan Leah in the last one, and another Leah (forget his name) in the first Shannara series. They're each a little different - but not by much. But whatever, it's a great book and The Voyage of the Jerle Shannara looks like it will be a great series.

Brooks is a pretty dependable fantasy author. His books move along briskly, the lead characters are generally pretty likeable and have a modicum of complexity thrown in. The Voyage of Jerle Shannara is engaging. It presents a simple quest for a mysterious, but powerful magic item, touched off when a nearly dead elf is found at sea, clutching a map written in an ancient language. The scenario is complicated by the background questions such as -- how did this elf happen to turn up so conveniently, and is this all a big trap. The novel ends with a major cliff hanger, which I always find annoying. By the time book 2 comes out, it will be hard to remember where book 1 left off.

Terry Brooks is one of my greatest influences in the fantasy genre. This is the 4th book of his I read and the second one I read in the Shannara saga. When I first saw the title, I was under the mistaken impression that it was a sequel to the First King of Shannara. Jerle Shannara was a major character in that book. But it turned out that Jerle Shannara was the name of the magic airship that the main characters journey on. I have read some stories where one of the protagonists is a blood relative of the main antagonist. But here, its pulled off very well. The title villainess is the elder sister of Bek Rowe, a young man who is recruited in the journey to Castledown. It isn't until the end of this story where they meet. I have already started reading the second book of the series, Antrax. I will write my review one that one when I am done reading it. But getting back to this book. I found the beginning of the story quite unusual where a castaway is found on a beach. The castaway has lost his eyes and tongue. The castaway was part of an expedition to Castledown sent 30 years prior. The castaway turned out to be the prince Kael Elessedil. This becomes the starting point of another expedition sent to Castledown, lead by the Druid Walker Boh. I found this story very good. It deserves well more than 5 stars.

This series begins twenty years after the close of the Heritage series. Beginning with the discovery of a body that has washed up shore by the Winged Rider Hunter Predd. The body turns out to be a lost elven prince who went on a trip across the Blue Divide many years before in search of a legendary magic. He carries with him a strange map. Walker Boh knows the true meaning behind this map. He strikes a deal with the new king of the elves to start a new expidition in return for his vote for a new Druid Council. So begins the voyage. On the ship is Bek Rowe an orphan and a whole cast of characters. After them is the Ilse Witch, who true identity is very predictable once you know her magic. The only other drawback in this book is Bek's true lineage. We know what it truly is when he uses the Sword of Shannara. A good start to a great series.

The last book in the Ilse Witch trilogy. For most of the book it is Bek keeping the Morgawr away from his sister, the Ilse Witch. Meanwhile the island iss breaking down and the heroes are running out of time. The main characters also have to deal with their personal demons/fears/hang-ups whatever. This appears to be the secondary plot and them of the book. The book seems a bit unecessary as far as the trilogy goes. The loose ends could have probably been tied up in a couple of chapters in the second book. A passing Terry Brooks book, nothing great but if you like his stuff it'll do. I give it a B on the StuPage.

-tries to shield past reviews with his pathetically small form- Do not listen to those clamoring about the cliffhanger and dragging storyline! Although these are two glaring attributes to this book, people are failing to mention the good side of this book, the things shannara fans take for granted. Storyline is compelling, dilogue is fantastic, and the characters are real, makng you think of other beloved characters such and Coll, Par, and Walker Boh (since walker boh is my all time fav. thats the driving reason I bought this book). Cliffhanger! roars the annoyed fans; I say a fantastic ending! Sciene is no place for shannara they moan; I say it gives the story dimension and scope. I am giving this book 4 stars because I must say the storyline drags near the begining, but it more then makes up for it in the end. Even if you are getting bored, just keep on reading. IT WILL GET BETTER. I also thought the keys too the islands and retrieving them could have had more obstacles and detail.
Bottom Line, little cracks mar the surface of this book, but thats all they are, cracks. In general this book I cn honestly say ranks umong the the best of the shannara series.
E mail me at [email protected] if you share my opinion or just wanna rant me out. Im open to both.

Again, Brooks has started a series that requires the reader to purchase sequels rather than writing self contained novels. I'd buy them anyway, of course, I don't think anyone is better than he at making a virtual world come alive without illustration.
This one is fairly predictable; from the beginning you can much more easily guess the family connections before you're told them. Then again, Walker Boh isn't Bek's great great great (and then some) grandpa's kind of Druid, so maybe he's a bit more open.
I do look forward to the next installment, however, and find it an entertaining read, as always.

I'm rather astonished that this is the same Terry Brooks that wrote the original three Shannara novels. I don't usually say this, but this series really did come across as a cash grab. Each book is roughly 200 pages shorter than earlier novels, and with fewer lines per page.
But these are technical details.
The story itself started out well enough in the first book. The usual search for treasure in a distant land, leading to conflict and adventure. A small handful of interesting characters are introduced.
Now, book three. By the end, all those interesting characters will either be dead or altered beyond recognition. Through great leaps in logic at various crucial moments, those remaining characters we knew would survive, survive.
Don't get me wrong, I'm a big fan of Terry's earlier books, particularly Elfstones which was one of the best works of fantasy ever written. At best, I found this book to be insulting.
I would give it 0/5 if I could.

The Shannara books have become so generic and formulatic that there are no surprises, no twists, nothing to make it interesting. His characters are generic, usually young adult, innocent who must go into the big world. How about some variety? Now that the Shannara world has been completly explored several books back, the mystery and adventure is gone. So now, in the book we go outside the four lands across the ocean, but do we find excitement, mystery and the unexpected? OF COURSE NOT! The characters go to three islands where some type of guardian attacks them, but the guardian is defeated so quickly and then they move on, so there's no chance of developing the story or sense of adventure. Terry rushes the characters across the ocean to get to mysterious land at the end where the second book and hopefull the story will start.

I have read all of the Shannara series books, and this was probably my favorite. My previous favorite was the "Wishsong of Shannara," and I absolutely love the concept the the wishsong magic. I'm so glad Mr. Brooks decided to base an entire series around it. This book is gripping and even though the characters feel familar, the plot line is new and exciting. It will not disappoint old or new Shannara fans! The only downside is waiting for the rest of the series - Book 2 just came out and we'll have to wait for Book 3. I highly recommend this book!

This was my first Shannara book. I selected it because the "Ilse Witch" part of the title caught my attention and because of the tantalizing jacket blurb, "Brooks embarks on what promises to be his masterpiece". I figured, with a promise like that, it's got to be good! I was only partially disappointed.
As a first-time Shannara reader, I was pleased that this book is sufficiently independent of the other Shannara books that I didn't have any problem following the plot. It's about a voyage, by "airship", to search for magic treasure. This book contains many of the usual fantasy elements ... magic, quest for treasure, swordplay, good vs. evil, mythical creatures.
The disappointing part is that the first 200 pages, which are dedicated to introducing and assembling the future voyagers, are fairly slow reading in spots. Too many details about the airships for my tastes. Once the voyage was underway, however, the speed picked up and I was hooked for the remainder of the book.
I am eagerly awaiting the sequels.

This was my first Shannara book. I selected it because the "Ilse Witch" part of the title caught my attention and because of the tantalizing jacket blurb, "Brooks embarks on what promises to be his masterpiece". I figured, with a promise like that, it's got to be good! I was only partially disappointed.
As a first-time Shannara reader, I was pleased that this book is sufficiently independent of the other Shannara books that I didn't have any problem following the plot. It's about a voyage, by "airship", to search for magic treasure. This book contains many of the usual fantasy elements ... magic, quest for treasure, swordplay, good vs. evil, mythical creatures.
The disappointing part is that the first 200 pages, which are dedicated to introducing and assembling the future voyagers, are fairly slow reading in spots. Too many details about the airships for my tastes. Once the voyage was underway, however, the speed picked up and I was hooked for the remainder of the book.
I am eagerly awaiting the sequels.

I had just started reading the Shannara series about 4 or five months before i read Ilse Witch, and i must say that the series just keeps getting better and better.
I really enjoyed the likes of The sword of Shannara and Elfstones, but at the end, i always kept thinking, there could have been more. I always thought that those books, especially Sword, would have been better if it was more than one novel, i mean, if the Warlock Lord was so powerful, why did it take only 10 or so minutes to defeat him.
I like this latest series because there are many new elements added to it. The addition of the Airships, a new continent, and the fact that it was more than one novel really gave me a higher opinion of the book.
The only thing that i was a little dissatisfied about was the fact that, Brooks seems to have traded characterization for action (which there is a lot of), and the fact that it seems sort of like a mystery at first, you know something that you might expect to find in a Nancy Drew book. Now, the series has always had it share of mystery and unanswered questions, but this seemed like a bit much.
Also, even though the characters and plot are interesting, i felt that there were many plot holes, and disasters that could have been avoided. If Bek used the Sword of Shannara to get through the squirm, what seems like a natural obstacle, then how come he couldnt use it to sense the dangers of the creepers and fire threads? Maybe thats just my thinking though.
I would recommend this book to anyone who is a fan of the series, because i think, that like me, you will be able to look over the little things that upset you, and genuinly enjoy this series.

The whole series is not typical Terry Brooks. It features no epic battles with armies clashing and a much more limited landscape of action. That said these things did not bother me. The thing that bothered me was that the "shannara formula" became much more obvious with this limiting set of circumstances. Every resolution in this book is painfully obvious and instead of it being a joy to read it becomes a labor to get to the next non-surprise. If you read the last book, it was painfully obvious at the end that Walker was "passing the torch" and nothing in this last book ever makes you doubt that it is the case. Perhaps some of the blame should go on the trilogy format that Brooks sticks to. Forcing himself to stretch the story over 3 short books (short for epic fanstasy anyway). I couldn't help but think this should hve been two books or a 1000 page volume with some of the fat trimmed. In any case, this book feels less an act of art and more an act of work. A formula book done to fulfill a contract.
Spoilers Alert.
Yes, The witch becomes a druid.
Yes, she comes out of her comatose in time to save the day.
Yes, the only people who die are Star Trek ensigns.
My biggest beef after finishing the book was the Morgawr himself. An ultrapowerful guy who has been alive for a thousand years who can make an army of drones who just until 20 years before has finally come out of the wilderun. He is just a weak/contrived antagonist.
Continuity problems.
The elfstones should at least be able to singe some bird feathers but instead are relegated to being only useful for destroying magical beasts.
Allanon appears out of a freaking pond to take Walker into the world of the dead. Not the Hadeshorn, just any old pond. Made me wonder why they go through all that hoopla at the Hadeshorn in every single triogy if they can just go to any puddle and retrieve a druid out of it.
I consider myself a huge shannara fan and every author is allowed to have a stinker. Terry, this one's yours. You are forgiven.

Tolkien may have created the epic fantasy genre but Brooks really popularized it. Reading a Brook's Shannara novel is akin to watching a great movie and this new one's no different. You got memorable yet mysterious characters, who's secrets are revealed at a good pace as the series moves along. The verse is not too wordy or too curt but just enough to visually establish place and move along the plot. I look forward to reading the future books in this series. Perhaps Brooks will finally verify that which many readers have suspected for so long, that Shannara is in fact a future version of Earth.

I have read every one of Brookes books through out his oong career as a top-notch fantasy writer. Starting back in the mid-70's with the Sword of Shanara, know with his newest Jerle Shanara! I am only in 8th grade, but I have read quite a bit of Fantasy. Brookes in my opionion is as good as any Fantasy writer of all time. It has more action and a better story Line(Jerle Shanara) then J. R.R. Tolkien. And has a much faster more interesting/fast moving story then the entire Robert Jordan series...even the first three. (out of 9). One thing I love about his writing is he can put as much information and story into 3 of his pages, then another writing can do in 40-50 page! It seemed like some of Robert Jordans books seemed to drag when I compared them to the fast action of Brookes.
He is very descriptive and a all-around great writer. The only thing I could say to improve apone is a different type of story. I love Shanara, but after you read the entire series you get the feeling that each book is so simple, that basiclly all it is, is a regular every day fantasy book. Maybe a little unoriganal. But who am I to judge.

The first two books in the series were quite good, introducing some interesting characters and several new plot directions that had me hooked. Particularly intriguing was the concept of bringing "new world" magic up against "old world" technology. Brooks has played a little bit with this idea in earlier books, but he seemed willing to tackle the theme head-on here, and had me greatly interested in how it was all going to play out.
I looked forward so much to this concluding volume of the series. I was so excited to find it, and took it right home and began to read. After the first quarter of the book I was beginning to get a bad feeling. After the second quarter of the book, that feeling morphed into sadness. By the three-quarters point I just wanted it to be over.
What a disappointment!
At first I thought I would describe in detail various flaws in logic, continuity, pacing, etc. But why bother? Very briefly, if you read this book you will encounter:
- Incredible coincidences to make the plot work, that will have you groaning;
- Battles where supposedly super-tough foes are dispatched almost as an afterthought, with a flick of a throwing blade or a quick parry/repost;
- "Surprises" that are so obvious you will not believe that none of the characters can see them coming for 200 pages ahead;
- A plot that basically renders most of the first two books moot;
- Seemingly interminable pages of prolixity to wade through while you wait for something to happen;
- "Love story" subplots that will have you cringing in your chair ...
I could go on, but you get the idea.
This book was phoned in. I hate to sound bitter, but after the promise of the first volumes (not to mention some of the other nice work that Mr. Brooks has done) the sorry execution (pun intended) of the story was extra disappointing. Advice: if you read the first two books and want to find out how it all comes out, borrow this at the library and find a few hours to kill, and skim it. Read it fast, so the pain will be brief.

I throughly enjoyed this book. I was hooked from the first page forward. My only disappointment was that it is the first book of a new series. I have read the other Shannara books but not for awhile and found that Terry Brooks has written a brand new story that is easy to read and understand even if you have not read any of the other Shannara series. However, if you have not read the other books in this series, please treat yourself and do so as soon as possible
Recomended, The Price of Immortaliy is a book well worth reading

Brooks does a good job in this last installment of the trilogy, " The Voyage of the Jerle Shannara.." The book never got boring as I read it. However, I feel Brooks did not spend that much time on the main antagonist the Morgawr; or his final stand with Grianne and the crew of the Jerle Shannara. Perhaps I just didn't want the novel to be over so soon. I wanted more story....that desire is the reason why I would recommend this book. To me, not wanting the book to end is great story telling!

Terry Brooks started my love for reading when I was a young child. I've grown up with his storytelling for almost 20 years now, and have come to love the characters portrayed in the series. However, I expected more from a Terry Brooks book. His storytelling was (again) magnificent, however, it had to be, to cover for his retread of character ideas.
The characters in this book seem to be a rebirth of previous characters, down to gender, disposition & such...even the dangers and trails they must overcome are the same. If Mr. Brooks is searching for new material that bad, I would suggest that he should have let the Shannara series lie where it was. However, if the originality that shone through in most of his former works re-appears, I will be the first to stand in line for the 3rd book's release.
I do recommend this book for reading... the question is whether one should buy it new or wait until they hit the used book stores. For myself, that question will be answered with the 2nd book in this series... and my hope is that it lives up to my expectations!

Amazing. There are few books that hold your interest throughout the entire story, but Terry has certainly accomplished that with THE ISLE WITCH. I could NOT put this book down! And when I had to put it down (one has to EAT, I suppose) I couldn't wait to get back to it. The story moves quickly and the characters are colorful and engaging, each with his own story to tell and problems to overcome. The plot is incredible ... it kept me guessing and wondering at every turn - the revelations and hidden agendas ... the mystery and the magic ... THE ISLE WITCH is a combination of murder mystery, drama, fantasy, sci-fi, and more! Mark my words, by the last page you will be desperate for more! Terry has pulled out all the stops with this new series in the Shannara universe. Until now, my favorite has always been the first book, SWORD OF SHANNARA. But THE ISLE WITCH (and the upcoming books in the VOYAGE series) will prove to be my new favorites by far.

I read the earlier Shannara books some time ago, whilst still at school. They had an impact on me, particularly 'The Elfstones of Shannara. 'Not having read much in the way of 'heroic fantasy' in a few years, I picked this up and was prepared not to be too interested. However, this is a well written novel, with strong characterisation and plot. It is nice to be lost in a world of magic and heroism ocassionally!
If you want a bit of escapism over a weekend or holiday, this could be the book for you.