Currently re-reading while on vacation in Canada.
This book brings me back to why I love Terry Brooks and it makes me excited to re-read the rest of the Shannara books.

Ilse Witch is slow to develop, but moves along, I believe, quickly after that. Brooks draws you in, getting you close to all the main characters and heavy foreshadowing of events to come. If you are a fan of Shannara, it is great to get to know the newest generation of Leahs, Rovers, Elves, and stay connected with Druid Walker Boh.

While you could read this book alone from the rest of the Shannara books, I wouldn't recommend it. Brooks does reference other characters and events from previous books which would be considered spoilers.