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Voyage of the Jerle Shannara #1
Ilse Witch
When a half-drowned elf is found floating in the seas of the Blue Divide, an old mystery resurfaces. Thirty years ago, an elven prince led an expedition in search of a legendary magic said to be more powerful than any in the world. Of all those who set out on that ill-fated voyage, not one has ever returned. Until now. The rescued elf carries a map covered with mysterious symbols–and Walker Boh, the last of the Druids, has the skill to decipher them. But someone else understands the map’s significance: the Ilse Witch, a ruthless young woman who wields a magic as potent as his own. She will stop at nothing to possess the map–and the magic it leads to.
Thus begins the first volume of a dazzling new adventure in one of the most popular fantasy series of our time
Thus begins the first volume of a dazzling new adventure in one of the most popular fantasy series of our time
456 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published September 1, 2000
242 people are currently reading
8481 people want to read
About the author
Terry Brooks
417 books77.8k followersTerry Brooks was born in Illinois in 1944, where he spent a great deal of his childhood and early adulthood dreaming up stories in and around Sinnissippi Park, the very same park that would eventually become the setting for his bestselling Word & Void trilogy. He went to college and received his undergraduate degree from Hamilton College, where he majored in English Literature, and he received his graduate degree from the School of Law at Washington & Lee University.
A writer since high school, he wrote many stories within the genres of science fiction, western, fiction, and non-fiction, until one semester early in his college years he was given The Lord of the Rings to read. That moment changed Terry's life forever, because in Tolkien's great work he found all the elements needed to fully explore his writing combined in one genre.
He then wrote The Sword of Shannara, the seven year grand result retaining sanity while studying at Washington & Lee University and practicing law. It became the first work of fiction ever to appear on the New York Times trade paperback bestseller list, where it remained for over five months.
A writer since high school, he wrote many stories within the genres of science fiction, western, fiction, and non-fiction, until one semester early in his college years he was given The Lord of the Rings to read. That moment changed Terry's life forever, because in Tolkien's great work he found all the elements needed to fully explore his writing combined in one genre.
He then wrote The Sword of Shannara, the seven year grand result retaining sanity while studying at Washington & Lee University and practicing law. It became the first work of fiction ever to appear on the New York Times trade paperback bestseller list, where it remained for over five months.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 336 reviews
May 9, 2017
"Listen to me. Listen to what I have seen in my dreams. You will make your voyage across the Blue Divide in search of something precious - more to you than to any who go with you. Those who accompany you will be both brave and strong of heart, but only some will return. One will save your life. One will try to take it. One will love you unconditionally. One will hate you with unmatched passion. One will lead you astray. One will bring you back again. I have seen all this in my dreams, and I am meant to see more."
Ilse Witch is the first book in the Voyage of the Jerle Shannara trilogy, which might well prove to be the best Shannara sub-series since the original trilogy. Grumpy old Walker Boh has turned into a Druid of the kind he has always feared, and has become a true successor of Bremen and Allanon. This novel takes him on an epic journey across the sea to find a legendary magic long for millennia. Along comes the most interesting group of character Terry Brooks has ever imagined.
The mandatory ones are all here, of course; a couple of legendary swords are included, and someone has to wield them after all, and there's also an Elven prince, as always. But then the awesome people are following one by one: a silver-haired girl who sees the future in her dreams and speaks of it in riddles, a band of Rovers crewing the fastest airship ever to fly, a lonesome shapeshifter who is half human and half Faerie creature, and on top of them all, possibly my new favourite character in the Shannara series - the Ilse Witch herself, the mysterious sorceress shadowing the company.
All in all, it's good. Well, it's great actually, but I felt it lacked the little extra that made the originals so incomprehensibly awesome. The writing is good enough, but not poetic, and the development of the story is a little bit weaker than what Brooks can do at his very best. But the concept of Voyage is both intriguing and refreshing, and the trilogy in its entirety seems really promising. At least it's off to a good start for me.
Ilse Witch is the first book in the Voyage of the Jerle Shannara trilogy, which might well prove to be the best Shannara sub-series since the original trilogy. Grumpy old Walker Boh has turned into a Druid of the kind he has always feared, and has become a true successor of Bremen and Allanon. This novel takes him on an epic journey across the sea to find a legendary magic long for millennia. Along comes the most interesting group of character Terry Brooks has ever imagined.
The mandatory ones are all here, of course; a couple of legendary swords are included, and someone has to wield them after all, and there's also an Elven prince, as always. But then the awesome people are following one by one: a silver-haired girl who sees the future in her dreams and speaks of it in riddles, a band of Rovers crewing the fastest airship ever to fly, a lonesome shapeshifter who is half human and half Faerie creature, and on top of them all, possibly my new favourite character in the Shannara series - the Ilse Witch herself, the mysterious sorceress shadowing the company.
All in all, it's good. Well, it's great actually, but I felt it lacked the little extra that made the originals so incomprehensibly awesome. The writing is good enough, but not poetic, and the development of the story is a little bit weaker than what Brooks can do at his very best. But the concept of Voyage is both intriguing and refreshing, and the trilogy in its entirety seems really promising. At least it's off to a good start for me.
June 3, 2017
Some might say that Terry Brooks’s work is formulaic, and they might be right. His series usually go something like this: There is a treasure/magic/evil thing that must be stopped. A druid holds special knowledge on how to do this. He gathers a group of people to carry out this mission. This group must include elves, a member of the Leah family, a dwarf, some humans, and an Ohmsford or two. Use of magic is dangerous and takes a toll on the user. There is a powerful and evil person who is trying to stop them. This novel has all of those things I mentioned with a new wrinkle. In the future, men have developed the use of airships—not quite steampunk but close enough. Despite this formula, and the fact that I was able to figure out the big reveal at the end of the book very, very, very early on, his novels are like wearing a pair of comfortable shoes. You know you’re going to enjoy the journey, so sit back and relax.
I have to say that I really enjoyed this novel. The airships were certainly different, but mostly it’s because Terry Brooks is a master of the epic quest. His characters are compelling and he puts them in very difficult situations, which tests their abilities, fortitude, and ingenuity. Yes, there is a certain level of predictability, but I didn’t mind it a bit, and there is a good level of mystery in this series involving a powerful ancient entity which is guarding some powerful old magic—or is it technology from our modern world? I’ll have to continue reading the rest of the series to find out, and that’s certainly not a bad thing.
Carl Alves – author of Two For Eternity
I have to say that I really enjoyed this novel. The airships were certainly different, but mostly it’s because Terry Brooks is a master of the epic quest. His characters are compelling and he puts them in very difficult situations, which tests their abilities, fortitude, and ingenuity. Yes, there is a certain level of predictability, but I didn’t mind it a bit, and there is a good level of mystery in this series involving a powerful ancient entity which is guarding some powerful old magic—or is it technology from our modern world? I’ll have to continue reading the rest of the series to find out, and that’s certainly not a bad thing.
Carl Alves – author of Two For Eternity
September 1, 2020
I really love the world of Shannara that Terry Brooks came up with. This book, part one of a three book-series, is another very well written fantasy. Terry Brooks has a great way of describing worlds and people.
There can also be the downfall for some - and I can imagine people really not enjoying these books because of this - a lot of everything is described. There is more show than tell. This has to be a style you enjoy.
I will not spoil too much. This book starts off by following Bek Rowe and his cousin Quentin Leah, and once again our heroes are being asked to come along a Druid's journey. Walker is mysterious and he is less into being a druid than Allanon. He finds he makes a pretty good Druid none-the-less by not telling Bek and Quentin the things they want to know. The group goes on a quest by airship, which was built and is being flown by rovers. They take representatives from the Elven kingdom, a seer (a girl who has visions) and also a Dwarf. As soon as the Shannara series progresses, elements of SF are added, starting with this book, and it's a nice addition. I'm not a big fan of SF books, but it works for me in these books.
This was a reread for me, and I remembered book two to really have a great adventure in a city of steel with very cool monsters. So I can't wait to get started on part two!
There can also be the downfall for some - and I can imagine people really not enjoying these books because of this - a lot of everything is described. There is more show than tell. This has to be a style you enjoy.
I will not spoil too much. This book starts off by following Bek Rowe and his cousin Quentin Leah, and once again our heroes are being asked to come along a Druid's journey. Walker is mysterious and he is less into being a druid than Allanon. He finds he makes a pretty good Druid none-the-less by not telling Bek and Quentin the things they want to know. The group goes on a quest by airship, which was built and is being flown by rovers. They take representatives from the Elven kingdom, a seer (a girl who has visions) and also a Dwarf. As soon as the Shannara series progresses, elements of SF are added, starting with this book, and it's a nice addition. I'm not a big fan of SF books, but it works for me in these books.
This was a reread for me, and I remembered book two to really have a great adventure in a city of steel with very cool monsters. So I can't wait to get started on part two!
June 5, 2022
I really enjoyed this story and I found that everything about the book was 4-4.5 stars, everything aside for the character Bek who was annoying and I didn't enjoy reading his parts.
September 3, 2024
Okay, so this is far from my first Terry Brooks adventure, but I have mixed feelings. Still positive. But not entirely so. I've always found Brooks world of the Four Lands captivating, his characters charming, the old fashioned adventure writing competent if rarely awe inspiring.
So I'm under no delusions here: Brooks is basic fantasy, and all the better for it.
No what I found disappointing here, knowing this was released not long after the fantastic Word And The Void trilogy, is the writing. He writes so straightforwardly, not an ounce of poeticism to be seen. This is dry writing, devoid of personality or a sense of wonder. Little is left to the imagination for the reader, everything feels dully laid out for all see.
And yet I still loved much about this book. The airships, the mystery of the map, the Ilse Witch herself has a real sadness to her story. The character writing overall is quite well done. A lot of side characters blurred for me, but Walker, Bek, Hunter and Grianne are wonderfully rendered.
So, not my favourite book in the world. I had high hopes for The Voyage Of The Jerle Shannara after seeing many fellow Shannara fans cite it as one of the best in the series. There is still time for thay to change. I hope so.
So I'm under no delusions here: Brooks is basic fantasy, and all the better for it.
No what I found disappointing here, knowing this was released not long after the fantastic Word And The Void trilogy, is the writing. He writes so straightforwardly, not an ounce of poeticism to be seen. This is dry writing, devoid of personality or a sense of wonder. Little is left to the imagination for the reader, everything feels dully laid out for all see.
And yet I still loved much about this book. The airships, the mystery of the map, the Ilse Witch herself has a real sadness to her story. The character writing overall is quite well done. A lot of side characters blurred for me, but Walker, Bek, Hunter and Grianne are wonderfully rendered.
So, not my favourite book in the world. I had high hopes for The Voyage Of The Jerle Shannara after seeing many fellow Shannara fans cite it as one of the best in the series. There is still time for thay to change. I hope so.
February 2, 2018
Cambio di regia (circa)
Brooks, intelligentemente, opta per qualche variazione all'interno del macrocosmo Shannara.
Quello che ne esce, a conti fatti, è una buona partenza, ovviamente sorretta da qualche banalità narrativa per avviare gli eventi.
L'impianto collaudato - compagnia di personaggi alla ricerca dell'oggetto X o del luogo Y - è felicemente sorretto dall'inserimento di misteri e ambiguità di fondo.
Tale scelta narrativa mantiene alta la tensione (vedi le tappe alle tre isole) e fa da apripista per il connubio magia-tecnologia, ponte fra la trilogia del Verbo e l'intera opera di Shannara.
Ah, stranamente indovinato il personaggio della strega (oggettivamente tra i migliori).
Brooks, intelligentemente, opta per qualche variazione all'interno del macrocosmo Shannara.
Quello che ne esce, a conti fatti, è una buona partenza, ovviamente sorretta da qualche banalità narrativa per avviare gli eventi.
L'impianto collaudato - compagnia di personaggi alla ricerca dell'oggetto X o del luogo Y - è felicemente sorretto dall'inserimento di misteri e ambiguità di fondo.
Tale scelta narrativa mantiene alta la tensione (vedi le tappe alle tre isole) e fa da apripista per il connubio magia-tecnologia, ponte fra la trilogia del Verbo e l'intera opera di Shannara.
Ah, stranamente indovinato il personaggio della strega (oggettivamente tra i migliori).
February 10, 2014
6/10
I've had this on my shelf for a while now so in a conscious effort to try and clear the old books to replace with new ones I thought I would tackle this trilogy which had gathered large amounts of dust.
The synopsis on the back of the book was appealing, a half drowned elf is found with his tongue chopped off and his eyes pierced but he holds a mysterious map to mysterious lands which hold magic of which the "world" has not seen before. Then add in the fact that to get to this land with mega-magic you had to get three "keys" from three islands on the way meant this had a fair amount of ingredients to make an enjoyable tale.
There were some problems though. The book was overlong by about 100 pages. The fact that the crew going on this journey was 30+ meant you didn't really get enough time to bond with any character or care enough for them. The ones not given a name were similar to a Bond villains henchman; destined for the mouths of ill tempered mutated sea bass.
This was tackled a bit in the later half of the book when Bek and Walker seemed to be the main characters and there was just enough mystery into both of their backgrounds to keep things moving along. Add to this the mystery of how a blind, crippled elf could travel about 2 months worth of travelling without the aid of an airship such as the crew used meant there was a slight draw into how that had come about too.
My main gripe though was how the trips to the three islands to gain the three keys were about 10 pages long. I thought/hoped this was going to be longer and more fleshed out with a chance for key characters to shine through and some exciting scenes.
Alas, it wasn't a great read with a lot of history of the lands (which I didn't care for) and a slow start and a very abrupt end. But I have the other two gathering dust so I will finish this trilogy before it goes to "book heaven/the charity shop".
If you like this read: "Talon of the Silver Hawk" by Raymond E. Feist
I've had this on my shelf for a while now so in a conscious effort to try and clear the old books to replace with new ones I thought I would tackle this trilogy which had gathered large amounts of dust.
The synopsis on the back of the book was appealing, a half drowned elf is found with his tongue chopped off and his eyes pierced but he holds a mysterious map to mysterious lands which hold magic of which the "world" has not seen before. Then add in the fact that to get to this land with mega-magic you had to get three "keys" from three islands on the way meant this had a fair amount of ingredients to make an enjoyable tale.
There were some problems though. The book was overlong by about 100 pages. The fact that the crew going on this journey was 30+ meant you didn't really get enough time to bond with any character or care enough for them. The ones not given a name were similar to a Bond villains henchman; destined for the mouths of ill tempered mutated sea bass.
This was tackled a bit in the later half of the book when Bek and Walker seemed to be the main characters and there was just enough mystery into both of their backgrounds to keep things moving along. Add to this the mystery of how a blind, crippled elf could travel about 2 months worth of travelling without the aid of an airship such as the crew used meant there was a slight draw into how that had come about too.
My main gripe though was how the trips to the three islands to gain the three keys were about 10 pages long. I thought/hoped this was going to be longer and more fleshed out with a chance for key characters to shine through and some exciting scenes.
Alas, it wasn't a great read with a lot of history of the lands (which I didn't care for) and a slow start and a very abrupt end. But I have the other two gathering dust so I will finish this trilogy before it goes to "book heaven/the charity shop".
If you like this read: "Talon of the Silver Hawk" by Raymond E. Feist
July 10, 2016
#18/29 in my Epic Shannara Quest.
There had to come a time when Brooks' reliance on his formula of a druid seeking out an Ohmsford and manipulating him into undertaking a quest to save the Four Lands would catch up with him and it has in this book.
In what is probably the best of the Shannara books (remembering that none of the pre-Shannara books had been published by that point), The Druid of Shannara, Walker Boh emphatically stated that the new druidic order he established would not be based on secrets and manipulation. Now he is simply known as Walker and he finds that the ways of the old druids were necessary then and they still are.
So for 85% for Ilse Witch, Walker gathers his band of adventurers, doesn't tell them everything they probably ought to know, takes them through a myriad of perils, until finally he is forced to reveal secrets that the reader has already guessed. At that point, the story roars to life and continues breathlessly to its cliffhanger conclusion. But the until then, Ilse Witch is a real slog, mostly because we've seen (read) this before and Brooks just seems to be relating these events (in a hurried fashion) to get, hpefully, to a much better story. But 375 pages of lazy backstory is simply too much.
At first it was intriguing that Walker would seek out a Leah rather than an Ohmsford--an exciting new direction for this chronicle of the first of the new druids, until it became obvious an Ohmsford was hiding in plain sight. If Brooks would time his reveals to coincide with when his reader is ready for them (which is a difficult task, granted) this book would be much more successful.
There had to come a time when Brooks' reliance on his formula of a druid seeking out an Ohmsford and manipulating him into undertaking a quest to save the Four Lands would catch up with him and it has in this book.
In what is probably the best of the Shannara books (remembering that none of the pre-Shannara books had been published by that point), The Druid of Shannara, Walker Boh emphatically stated that the new druidic order he established would not be based on secrets and manipulation. Now he is simply known as Walker and he finds that the ways of the old druids were necessary then and they still are.
So for 85% for Ilse Witch, Walker gathers his band of adventurers, doesn't tell them everything they probably ought to know, takes them through a myriad of perils, until finally he is forced to reveal secrets that the reader has already guessed. At that point, the story roars to life and continues breathlessly to its cliffhanger conclusion. But the until then, Ilse Witch is a real slog, mostly because we've seen (read) this before and Brooks just seems to be relating these events (in a hurried fashion) to get, hpefully, to a much better story. But 375 pages of lazy backstory is simply too much.
At first it was intriguing that Walker would seek out a Leah rather than an Ohmsford--an exciting new direction for this chronicle of the first of the new druids, until it became obvious an Ohmsford was hiding in plain sight. If Brooks would time his reveals to coincide with when his reader is ready for them (which is a difficult task, granted) this book would be much more successful.
February 4, 2012
I was ready for some light reading after dredging through David Copperfield for the better part of November and December, and thought, "why not read some more of those Shannara books I used to read back in Jr. High?" So I did. The result? Lukewarm at best.
While I certainly purchased "Isle Witch" as part of a trilogy, I still expected it to be largely a stand-alone novel. So it wasn't until after nearly 300 pages of the druid gathering the group together for an epic quest in search of some all-powerful old world magic, an additional 800 pages crossing the ocean with many-an-adventure along the way, and another 2 billion pages explaining the secretive nature of the druid, that I realized this book didn't have a prayer of reaching any form of satisfactory resolution before I closed the back cover.
My apathetic disappointment was rivaled only by my moderate interest in the climactic discovery that the primary antagonist in this world-o'-fantasy was none other than... (drum roll)...(oh, and spoiler alert for the other 6 people out there who may consider reading this)... a computer!
Wow.
Really?
So, I did the only logical thing, and I started reading book 2.
While I certainly purchased "Isle Witch" as part of a trilogy, I still expected it to be largely a stand-alone novel. So it wasn't until after nearly 300 pages of the druid gathering the group together for an epic quest in search of some all-powerful old world magic, an additional 800 pages crossing the ocean with many-an-adventure along the way, and another 2 billion pages explaining the secretive nature of the druid, that I realized this book didn't have a prayer of reaching any form of satisfactory resolution before I closed the back cover.
My apathetic disappointment was rivaled only by my moderate interest in the climactic discovery that the primary antagonist in this world-o'-fantasy was none other than... (drum roll)...(oh, and spoiler alert for the other 6 people out there who may consider reading this)... a computer!
Wow.
Really?
So, I did the only logical thing, and I started reading book 2.
January 13, 2010
This is a good fantasy book, it is very fun to read and has good imagery. If you enjoy fantasy then you'll most likely like this book. It is fairly easy to read but to not easy for advanced readers.I recommend reading any of Terry brooks' books. They are all very interesting and all throughout will keep you glued to the pages. In my opinion it is much better then a lot of fantasy books and if you're looking for a good series to read then this is a book for you. This is the first book of the Voyage series and when you read this one, you wont want to stop until you've read the rest. I love fantasy, and I've read quite a few fantasy books, and this is one of my very favorite series to read. I recommend this book to not only fantasy fans but to anyone. It's really a great book.
January 28, 2020
La primera vez que leí a Brooks fue con El primer rey de Shannara, que cronológicamente es el primer libro. Este libro, aunque es el 9, es el primero de la nueva trilogía de Brooks llamada El viaje de Jerle Shannara. Esta historia comienza cuando Hunter Predd, un elfo, encuentra a un náufrago malherido, otro elfo. Este tiene un brazalete con el emblema de una familia muy importante que pertenecía a un príncipe desaparecido: Kael Elessedil. Este príncipe lleva un mapa que va al lugar donde hay una magia muy poderosa. Hunter lo lleva volando hacia Arborlon para hablar allí con el rey de los elfos. Posteriormente habla con Walker, el druida, y los dos deciden emprender una expedición inconclusa hace años. El druida debe buscar a los integrantes de su grupo para averiguar qué pasó con la primera expedición en su busca de una magia antigua. Se trata de una trama llena de misterios y de magia, por supuesto.
Sobre los personajes, encontramos un elenco amplio y muy variado. Hunter Predd es un jinete de Ala Desplegada que monta un roc, y es el primero al que vamos a conocer. Walker Boh es un druida, el último de los druidas, quien vive en Paranor. Además de estos tenemos a Bek Rowe, un chico huérfano que se une a la expedición, Truls Rohk, un metamorfo, un personaje muy curioso, e Ilse, una niña huérfana que aprende magia para convertirse en una hechicera. He echado en falta un poco más de desarrollo en los personajes, porque a veces se hacía todo un poco predecible.
En cuanto a la ambientación, Brooks nos muestra más cosillas sobre Shannara, su pasado y, sobre todo, sus avances, pues en esta historia tendremos aeronaves. Recordemos que el mundo creado por Brooks es nuestra Tierra y en este libro se expande hacia otros territorios inexplorados hasta ahora. La lectura de este libro es bastante adictiva, bastante rápida a ratos y muy amena. Sí he visto que el desarrollo de la historia es algo más débil o flojo que El primer rey de Shannara. Lo malo es que considero que tiene un final un tanto precipitado y rápido. Pero, pese a esto, la historia merece realmente la pena y se disfruta.
En conclusión, el inicio de una nueva trilogía futurista sobre Shannara. Un libro lleno de aventuras y de magia con unos personajes típicos de la tradición de Brooks. Una ambientación muy buena que amplía la geografía hasta ahora conocida y con una lectura adictiva y ágil.
Más en mi blog La Gran Biblioteca de david: https://lagranbibliotecadedavid.blogs...
Sobre los personajes, encontramos un elenco amplio y muy variado. Hunter Predd es un jinete de Ala Desplegada que monta un roc, y es el primero al que vamos a conocer. Walker Boh es un druida, el último de los druidas, quien vive en Paranor. Además de estos tenemos a Bek Rowe, un chico huérfano que se une a la expedición, Truls Rohk, un metamorfo, un personaje muy curioso, e Ilse, una niña huérfana que aprende magia para convertirse en una hechicera. He echado en falta un poco más de desarrollo en los personajes, porque a veces se hacía todo un poco predecible.
En cuanto a la ambientación, Brooks nos muestra más cosillas sobre Shannara, su pasado y, sobre todo, sus avances, pues en esta historia tendremos aeronaves. Recordemos que el mundo creado por Brooks es nuestra Tierra y en este libro se expande hacia otros territorios inexplorados hasta ahora. La lectura de este libro es bastante adictiva, bastante rápida a ratos y muy amena. Sí he visto que el desarrollo de la historia es algo más débil o flojo que El primer rey de Shannara. Lo malo es que considero que tiene un final un tanto precipitado y rápido. Pero, pese a esto, la historia merece realmente la pena y se disfruta.
En conclusión, el inicio de una nueva trilogía futurista sobre Shannara. Un libro lleno de aventuras y de magia con unos personajes típicos de la tradición de Brooks. Una ambientación muy buena que amplía la geografía hasta ahora conocida y con una lectura adictiva y ágil.
Más en mi blog La Gran Biblioteca de david: https://lagranbibliotecadedavid.blogs...
September 14, 2017
Damit beginne ich einen weiteren Ausflug in einen der Klassiker der Fantasy. Dieses Buch, genauer eine Sammlung mit allen drei Romanen der Voyage of the Jerle Shannara, war am ehesten zur Hand, daher hatte ich auch damit angefangen, die Welt der Shannaras zu erkunden - auch wenn sich hinterher herausstellte, dass ich doch besser mit dem chronologisch ersten Buch begonnen hätte, da mir das den einen oder anderen Spoiler dazu erspart hätte. Trotzdem: Mir gefällt die Reihe bis hierher. Ich liebe das Worldbuilding einfach, es ist genial! Außerdem gibt's coole Luftschiffe. Von dem, was ich im Vorfeld an Trailern und Bildern zur Serie gesehen hatte, hatte ich auch bei den Büchern mehr Science Fiction als Fantasy erwartet, aber tatsächlich ist es doch mehr Fantasy mit einzelnen SciFi Elementen. Diese Mischung ist echt cool! Außerdem schmunzle ich über den einen oder anderen bekannten Begriff wie Faerie (aus Tolkiens bedeutenden Essay On Fairy-Stories), Morrowindl (Morrowind aus den Elder Scrolls Spielen) und Alt Mer (Altmer, die Hochelfen ebenfalls aus den Elder Scrolls Spielen). Das zeigt, wie viel Einfluss Brooks aus anderen Fantasy-Werken hatte und auch Einfluss auf andere ausübte. Nur besonders am Ende hatte ich ziemlich den Faden verloren. Das Buch ist ein Slowburner und nimmt sich Zeit, die wichtigsten Charaktere einzuführen. Darüber hinaus gibt es noch einige andere Charaktere, die aber vergleichsweise kurz nur eingeführt wurden und ich immer wieder vergesse, wer die nun waren. Aktuell habe ich das Gefühl, dass die auch nur die üblichen Statisten sind, die zum geschnetzelt Werden da sind.
September 17, 2025
Very high three star. Great plot regardless of its predictability and good world building. My main issue is that the writing lacks creativity. The ‘word-smithing’ just isn’t that good. I mean I think he used “he materialized out of the gloom” about 30 times in 400 pages. The inner monologue (and sometimes the dialogue) of the characters gives away too much understanding of their respective relationships. I want to guess more and either have my thinking shown wrong or proven right through smaller cues. For example, I was starting to think one of the characters was showing small signs of working for the ‘bad side’. And then the main character goes “ there’s just something off with her …” Cmon Terry Brooks. Either way it’s a good read and I’m excited to read the next book. Definitely not fantasy slop
January 22, 2015
The first in a trilogy this book is an introduction to a fantastical story. When an elf is found floating on flotsam in the sea with a map with mysterious symbols, a thirty year mystery is brought to light. The elven king's brother has gone on a expedition in search of ancient magic but never returned. Walker Boh, the last remaining druid persuades the current elven king to finance a new expedition. The people he has chosen to go with him have special skills of their own. The Ilse Witch also wants that magic and so begins a tale of evil versus good.
May 29, 2023
Somehow I lost my old review? - 3 stars, maybe 3.5
Ah well, something something awesome AIRSHIPS making me like this book a lot more than it probably deserves. But also, it's a lot better when you don't get into it after reading something like WoT or Cosmere related, so there's that too. Anyway, I like it. I'm reading all of Shannara now. That's my goal.
Ah well, something something awesome AIRSHIPS making me like this book a lot more than it probably deserves. But also, it's a lot better when you don't get into it after reading something like WoT or Cosmere related, so there's that too. Anyway, I like it. I'm reading all of Shannara now. That's my goal.
February 11, 2025
Terry's narrative paints a magical world of fantasy and unusual characters and wonderful imaginary. Walker Boh has his hands full in this one. Great read.
April 7, 2021
Probably his best written book I've read by him so far (I'm reading through the Shannara series in the chronological order of the 4 Lands). The book wasn't too descriptive and even some major events happened within just a few pages. So much happens, it's great.
The book itself, like every first book of his miniseries', is just the beginning of the whole story and I can't wait to read Antrax.
The book itself, like every first book of his miniseries', is just the beginning of the whole story and I can't wait to read Antrax.
August 31, 2024
Et fiou, ça été un calvaire. C'est clairement le moins bon de la série... C'était looooong, mais long ! Il ne se passe quasi rien les 3/4 du roman. Beaucoup d'introspection pour rien, pour très peu d'actions. Les 3 derniers chapitres remontent un peu le niveau mais j'aurais aimé que ça bouge tout du long, comme les précédents tomes...
April 14, 2025
slow start, strong finish. typical quest setup. im invested. i'll be moving on to book two to see where this goes...
Read
January 21, 2025This novel's story gripped me from the very first pages. It's hard to lose interest in a mystery like that. The story follows the same general pattern of previous Shannara novels - druids, magic swords, saving the world - but instead of hunting down a big bad guy everyone's off to the edges of the world to track down a potential cache of magic left over from the old world. The multiple points of view keep the story fresh when much of it takes place on a magic airship.
June 19, 2013
Where to start?
Expecting the first book of a trilogy to be anything other than lead up was my own fault I suppose. Isle Witch starts with an interesting discovery, propels to a great adventure, and then stalls after about one hundred pages.
Brooks tries to jump start the novel at a few dramatic/action-packed points which really aren't action packed or dramatic feeling at all.
It's hard to believe that anything of great importance will happen to any of the important characters in the first book so a lot of the "intense action" ends up feeling more like "intense filler".
That is not to say that important things do not happen/are not revealed, because they do and are, but it just doesn't bear the worry that I felt while reading the stand alone novels in the Shannara series.
Brooks is a fantastic novelist, not strong in the trilogy department.
The main characters are good, but also a little weak at times. The Rovers make a strong appearance in this novel, and I have the same problem I have always had with them: they are just so cheesy. I don't want to insult Brooks--as I'm sure he will read this review--because I truly am a fan, but even he must know that swashbuckling pirate-gypsies are rather lame.
The science fiction elements of this story are great and incredibly well thought out/detailed.
My biggest problem with the novel is the writing. I don't know why, but it just doesn't seem like Terry Brooks to me. It feels--and I cringe when I even think it--that someone else wrote this for him. I know, I know, it hurts me to say too, but the writing just isn't up to his usual level. The word choice is weak, and at some points simply bad. The descriptions lack his usual luster, and the characters--while mostly good--don't have their usual edge.
Why you should pick it up: You're a Terry Brooks fan and have a slight masochist streak, you're ready for a trilogy, the storyline is quite enjoyable.
Why you should leave it: Terry Brooks wrote a trilogy (bad idea), the writing is not up to his usual strength, the characters aren't his best, the story really goes nowhere until book two.
Expecting the first book of a trilogy to be anything other than lead up was my own fault I suppose. Isle Witch starts with an interesting discovery, propels to a great adventure, and then stalls after about one hundred pages.
Brooks tries to jump start the novel at a few dramatic/action-packed points which really aren't action packed or dramatic feeling at all.
It's hard to believe that anything of great importance will happen to any of the important characters in the first book so a lot of the "intense action" ends up feeling more like "intense filler".
That is not to say that important things do not happen/are not revealed, because they do and are, but it just doesn't bear the worry that I felt while reading the stand alone novels in the Shannara series.
Brooks is a fantastic novelist, not strong in the trilogy department.
The main characters are good, but also a little weak at times. The Rovers make a strong appearance in this novel, and I have the same problem I have always had with them: they are just so cheesy. I don't want to insult Brooks--as I'm sure he will read this review--because I truly am a fan, but even he must know that swashbuckling pirate-gypsies are rather lame.
The science fiction elements of this story are great and incredibly well thought out/detailed.
My biggest problem with the novel is the writing. I don't know why, but it just doesn't seem like Terry Brooks to me. It feels--and I cringe when I even think it--that someone else wrote this for him. I know, I know, it hurts me to say too, but the writing just isn't up to his usual level. The word choice is weak, and at some points simply bad. The descriptions lack his usual luster, and the characters--while mostly good--don't have their usual edge.
Why you should pick it up: You're a Terry Brooks fan and have a slight masochist streak, you're ready for a trilogy, the storyline is quite enjoyable.
Why you should leave it: Terry Brooks wrote a trilogy (bad idea), the writing is not up to his usual strength, the characters aren't his best, the story really goes nowhere until book two.
March 16, 2018
Shannara is to Game of Thrones in the realm of fantasy what pot is to heroin in the realm of illegal narcotics; an entry-level offering whose tame buzz satisfies some but leads others deeper into the fictive realms seeking harder and more addictive fare.
It took Terry a few books to truly get his formula right, resulting in an early outliers of Elfstones which is actually impressively good. After that the routine of ancient ̶w̶i̶z̶a̶r̶d̶ Druid seeking out the ̶y̶o̶u̶n̶g̶ ̶h̶e̶r̶o̶ latest generation of the Shannara bloodline to cross a dangerous and wild world seeking the ancient artifact that is the only way to defeat the latest incarnation of great evil that threatens the land becomes firmly established with the occasional gentle twist.
Across the smear of books there are occasional stand out characters (Stee Jans), creatures (the Raker), and environments (the Raker city) but sometimes a book or would pass without any characters, encounters, or environments striking me as especially cool or interesting. The background evolution of the world as generations skip was somewhat interesting (the rise and corruption of the Federation for example), but not enough to really grip hold of me.
For fans of formulaic escapism where good always triumphs (with the occasional heroic sacrifice of a main-ish character) where you can just shut up, shut down, and read, this is right up your alley.
For those who consider themselves spoiled by Game of Thrones who crave a rich array of characters that seem to transcend stereotypes, characters blending several rather than screaming single archetypes, characters who behave like real people with complex motivations, desires, and moralities in a world that doesn't always cater to the implicit victory of good over evil... well, read Elfstones and move on.
The Venn diagram of "escapist" and "realist" fantasy readers has little overlap, I've noticed, sharply delineated at the end of Ned.
★★ - Average. Wasn't terrible, but not a lot to recommend it. Probably skimmed parts of it.
It took Terry a few books to truly get his formula right, resulting in an early outliers of Elfstones which is actually impressively good. After that the routine of ancient ̶w̶i̶z̶a̶r̶d̶ Druid seeking out the ̶y̶o̶u̶n̶g̶ ̶h̶e̶r̶o̶ latest generation of the Shannara bloodline to cross a dangerous and wild world seeking the ancient artifact that is the only way to defeat the latest incarnation of great evil that threatens the land becomes firmly established with the occasional gentle twist.
Across the smear of books there are occasional stand out characters (Stee Jans), creatures (the Raker), and environments (the Raker city) but sometimes a book or would pass without any characters, encounters, or environments striking me as especially cool or interesting. The background evolution of the world as generations skip was somewhat interesting (the rise and corruption of the Federation for example), but not enough to really grip hold of me.
For fans of formulaic escapism where good always triumphs (with the occasional heroic sacrifice of a main-ish character) where you can just shut up, shut down, and read, this is right up your alley.
For those who consider themselves spoiled by Game of Thrones who crave a rich array of characters that seem to transcend stereotypes, characters blending several rather than screaming single archetypes, characters who behave like real people with complex motivations, desires, and moralities in a world that doesn't always cater to the implicit victory of good over evil... well, read Elfstones and move on.
The Venn diagram of "escapist" and "realist" fantasy readers has little overlap, I've noticed, sharply delineated at the end of Ned.
★★ - Average. Wasn't terrible, but not a lot to recommend it. Probably skimmed parts of it.
September 6, 2013
Brooks is such a good author and no matter how many times I read his books, I always enjoy them.
This series takes place a hundred or so years after the last. A man is found floating near the shore, his tongue and eyes cut out. He carries a map and the ring of the ruling family of the Elves. Walker Boh, only Druid of the four lands, is asked to translate the map and finds that it points to the location of a powerful magic, far across the sea. So he sets about gathering a group to go find it, all to fly in the airship, Jerle Shannara. The band is an unlikely one - a Rover Captain and his sister to navigate, the gruff builder of the ship, a dwarf, a seer, the younger brother to the new King of the Elves and a strange, half human shapeshifter. And two cousins, Quentin Leah and Bek Rowe. Quentin has his magic sword, but Bek really doesn't know why he has been asked along. But Walker is keeping secrets and they are followed by someone who hates him more than anything, the Ilse Witch, young and beautiful and powerful. And as the secrets are revealed, it is up to Bek to stand against her.
Just fantastic. I love the idea of the airship and the giant rocs that accompany them. A great start to the new trilogy. Wonder what will happen next?
This series takes place a hundred or so years after the last. A man is found floating near the shore, his tongue and eyes cut out. He carries a map and the ring of the ruling family of the Elves. Walker Boh, only Druid of the four lands, is asked to translate the map and finds that it points to the location of a powerful magic, far across the sea. So he sets about gathering a group to go find it, all to fly in the airship, Jerle Shannara. The band is an unlikely one - a Rover Captain and his sister to navigate, the gruff builder of the ship, a dwarf, a seer, the younger brother to the new King of the Elves and a strange, half human shapeshifter. And two cousins, Quentin Leah and Bek Rowe. Quentin has his magic sword, but Bek really doesn't know why he has been asked along. But Walker is keeping secrets and they are followed by someone who hates him more than anything, the Ilse Witch, young and beautiful and powerful. And as the secrets are revealed, it is up to Bek to stand against her.
Just fantastic. I love the idea of the airship and the giant rocs that accompany them. A great start to the new trilogy. Wonder what will happen next?
November 10, 2008
Since it's been 24 years since I last read a fantasy from this popular author, I thought I'd give him another go. This is the first book of a trilogy which finds a motley crew of adventures on a mission to find out what happened to an earlier mission and to recover some artifacts and hopefully get their greedy little hands on some new magic. There are elves, a druid, a seer, "Rovers" (like a gypsy), and all sorts of magic aboard the airship Jerle Shannara. It's an easy read but moves at a glacial pace. For such a popular author, you'd expect a more crackling story. But it seems to rely heavily on -- hey, what's the plural of deus ex machina? machinas? -- it uses magic too often to get characters in and out of trouble. That whole element should be toned down. Regardless, I'm enjoying the character of Truls Rohk, a somewhat minor character but more inventive than the others. The leader of the mission, Walker Boh, the druid, is a bit of a cipher. I'm hoping the second book gets more interesting.
May 1, 2021
I've said this before in another review - but I really enjoy the world of Shannara, with all its quirks and creatures/races/magic, and I openly have nothing wrong with the writing style of Brooks.
For me, this book just felt so flat . For the start up, things were interesting and the plot got rolling quite quickly, only it took a dramatic pause so Walker could get together his crew. It reminded me of the third Expendables move where there's that segment where all our lead does is walk around, gather a person, walk around, gather another person. There also wasn't anything particularly interesting about the gathering of these characters.
When the characters start actually doing things other than gathering more people, the book is quite enjoyable. I liked the small action sequences we got near the end. It's just a pity none of those characters that were gathered up were likeable, save for two of them who never do anything.
Also, please don't ever call your pilot/airship captain/airship builder/airship person Spanner. I beg you.
For me, this book just felt so flat . For the start up, things were interesting and the plot got rolling quite quickly, only it took a dramatic pause so Walker could get together his crew. It reminded me of the third Expendables move where there's that segment where all our lead does is walk around, gather a person, walk around, gather another person. There also wasn't anything particularly interesting about the gathering of these characters.
When the characters start actually doing things other than gathering more people, the book is quite enjoyable. I liked the small action sequences we got near the end. It's just a pity none of those characters that were gathered up were likeable, save for two of them who never do anything.
Also, please don't ever call your pilot/airship captain/airship builder/airship person Spanner. I beg you.
April 16, 2012
For those who love Terry Brooks this book does not dissapoint. The entire series takes the reader on a journey to the far reaches of the fourlands and beyond, and displays some of the most provocative writing in this series to date. The basic elements of a good Shannara tale abound, but the twists its twists and turns definately keep the reader from dozing off into rehersed repetition. It is a wonderful storyline, and it brings to light some of the practical dilemmas of a character whose persona switches from dark to light. I especially enjoyed the ending, which I will not spoil, as it brought to my mind that while sacrifice my seem painful to some, and certainly is painful to others, to many it can be a welcome release. No true fan of Terry Brooks can let this series go without missing out on something special.
November 8, 2020
Isle Witch is the 19th book chronologically in the Shannara series. 4 solid stars.
I’m slowly getting back into my re-read of the entire Shannara series after taking a short break from it.
This book is really entertaining throughout. We get introduced to arguably the most important character of the entire series, and the hardcover version is my favorite book cover. Great characters- Truls Rohk, Bek Rowe, the Ilse Witch, and of course, Walker. We’re introduced to new technology too - airships, and the machines, robots, and lasers in Casteldown. This series is a never ending struggle between science and magic, and this struggle is very well done in the novel’s settings.
On to Antrax next...
I’m slowly getting back into my re-read of the entire Shannara series after taking a short break from it.
This book is really entertaining throughout. We get introduced to arguably the most important character of the entire series, and the hardcover version is my favorite book cover. Great characters- Truls Rohk, Bek Rowe, the Ilse Witch, and of course, Walker. We’re introduced to new technology too - airships, and the machines, robots, and lasers in Casteldown. This series is a never ending struggle between science and magic, and this struggle is very well done in the novel’s settings.
On to Antrax next...
September 18, 2017
A re-read (maybe the fifth or sixth) of Ilse Witch, book one of the Voyage of the Jerle Shannara by Terry Brooks
Brief Summary:
As a Wing Rider is doing his daily flights over the Blue Divide, he spots a castaway. Turns out, the castaway was an Elf prince who set out 30 years prior to discover a forgotten magic across the ocean. Blind and mute, the castaway carries a map. When the Druid Walker deciphers the map, he brings together a ragtag team of warriors, magic-users and a young boy with a mysterious past. Using the brand new technology of airships, the group undertakes a long and arduous journey to this long forgotten land. During the journey, the young Bek learns the truth about his ancestry and his undiscovered magic. Chasing them the entire journey is the Ilse Witch, who also has a mysterious past and deep hatred for the Druid. Upon reaching the land that time forgot, the group is attacked by the sentient dweller in the ancient city and become separated.
What works:
Though my first foray into fantasy was Tolkien, Terry Brooks was really the one to fully grab me. I read the original trilogy and the Heritage series in the late 90s, so when this book came out in 2000, I was aching for this series. And it didn't disappoint (and still doesn't). The biggest thing about Mr. Brooks is his attention to detail in crafting a story. While I loved individual books in the aforementioned stories, I really didn't get invested in every single character arc (though after re-reads, I understood them better) until this story. I love every single character POV and care so much about them. This book, this quest, these characters are the exact reason I started forming/writing my own fantasy stories. There is just something so graceful and encouraging in this book/trilogy that I couldn't help myself for wanting to emulate Mr. Brooks.
The one thing that sets this series apart for me is the expansion of the world. In the original trilogy there is only the most basic of hints this world is the future of Earth. A bit more is expanded in the Heritage series (I'm thinking of you Eldwist!), but this series really hits home that this is our future. I love the journey to Castledown - which is obvious it takes place in Asia (hence the name Parkasia). It really adds a layer of setting and place.
Every time I re-read this series, I find a new character to fall in love with, and that is what makes Mr. Brooks fantastic as a writer in these early series. When I first read it as a teenager, obviously Bek and Quentin were my favorites because they were of a same age to me. Then it became Walker. Now it is Rue and Redden, the Rovers. I always loved Rue because she was an awesome character, but now, I can really see the progression of Mr. Brooks as a writer. In the early stories, only Brin and Wren were main female characters, but they were magic users, family members. They were the ones the story happened to. Not Rue. Rue is not the main character, but her story arc is amazing. She relies on her instincts, her abilities, her charm, her wit. She is a perfect character.
I also love the fact that one of the main characters - with that familial connection - is a villain. It is a true flip of the script. The Ilse Witch is great.
While I really like stories with major plots and scheme, my favorite fantasy trope is the quest. I just love having characters go to someplace unknown and just grow from that. The Druid of Shannara is pretty much one of my favorite fantasy books because of Walker's journey to the Eldwist. And this trilogy adds another level to an awesome journey story. I absolutely love the journey itself, but also the stuff that happens on said journey - like the growth of Bek, the mystery of the Ilse Witch, who is the spy, what will happen to the group. It is just an overall amazing first book in this trilogy.
What doesn't work:
While I am a huuuuuuuuuge Terry Brooks fan (I will read the hell out of all his books!), this series starts the formula for all his other books that take place chronologically after this. What I mean is that the same types of characters start to reappear, especially the boy Ohmsford character and the Wishsong. Bek is amazing, but down the road, you see him over and over again, so it really isn't a blight on this book, but it does set the stage.
The other thing I never noticed before I tried to become a writer myself was the repeating Mr. Brooks tends to do sometimes. For example, every time the characters meet to discuss their plans, every single character is named in that meeting. It happens a lot! And after a few times, it gets somewhat trite. This also happens with catching characters up to speed, many times the same history is repeated.
The biggest thing to me is probably the title. I enjoy how the script is flipped with the Ilse Witch, but really, in the scheme of the trilogy (spoiler), she really isn't the major focus until book 2 and especially book 3. While book 2 is aptly named, I think book 3 should have been called Ilse Witch. The reason this bugs me is because the Ilse Witch isn't a major POV character here, and most of the story revolves around the journey from Walker/Bek's POV. I know it is silly, but I think the title doesn't fit the story, but if you couldn't tell, I really love this book so I am somewhat nit-picking here.
Rating:
5 our of 5
Terry Brooks will always be one of my favorite authors and I re-read them quite often to immerse myself in a wonderful story. It is hard for me to rate each book individually because this trilogy is so strong as a whole, there are no let-down books that tend to happen with series. I don't know how anyone who enjoys fantasy could not love this book (trilogy).
Brief Summary:
As a Wing Rider is doing his daily flights over the Blue Divide, he spots a castaway. Turns out, the castaway was an Elf prince who set out 30 years prior to discover a forgotten magic across the ocean. Blind and mute, the castaway carries a map. When the Druid Walker deciphers the map, he brings together a ragtag team of warriors, magic-users and a young boy with a mysterious past. Using the brand new technology of airships, the group undertakes a long and arduous journey to this long forgotten land. During the journey, the young Bek learns the truth about his ancestry and his undiscovered magic. Chasing them the entire journey is the Ilse Witch, who also has a mysterious past and deep hatred for the Druid. Upon reaching the land that time forgot, the group is attacked by the sentient dweller in the ancient city and become separated.
What works:
Though my first foray into fantasy was Tolkien, Terry Brooks was really the one to fully grab me. I read the original trilogy and the Heritage series in the late 90s, so when this book came out in 2000, I was aching for this series. And it didn't disappoint (and still doesn't). The biggest thing about Mr. Brooks is his attention to detail in crafting a story. While I loved individual books in the aforementioned stories, I really didn't get invested in every single character arc (though after re-reads, I understood them better) until this story. I love every single character POV and care so much about them. This book, this quest, these characters are the exact reason I started forming/writing my own fantasy stories. There is just something so graceful and encouraging in this book/trilogy that I couldn't help myself for wanting to emulate Mr. Brooks.
The one thing that sets this series apart for me is the expansion of the world. In the original trilogy there is only the most basic of hints this world is the future of Earth. A bit more is expanded in the Heritage series (I'm thinking of you Eldwist!), but this series really hits home that this is our future. I love the journey to Castledown - which is obvious it takes place in Asia (hence the name Parkasia). It really adds a layer of setting and place.
Every time I re-read this series, I find a new character to fall in love with, and that is what makes Mr. Brooks fantastic as a writer in these early series. When I first read it as a teenager, obviously Bek and Quentin were my favorites because they were of a same age to me. Then it became Walker. Now it is Rue and Redden, the Rovers. I always loved Rue because she was an awesome character, but now, I can really see the progression of Mr. Brooks as a writer. In the early stories, only Brin and Wren were main female characters, but they were magic users, family members. They were the ones the story happened to. Not Rue. Rue is not the main character, but her story arc is amazing. She relies on her instincts, her abilities, her charm, her wit. She is a perfect character.
I also love the fact that one of the main characters - with that familial connection - is a villain. It is a true flip of the script. The Ilse Witch is great.
While I really like stories with major plots and scheme, my favorite fantasy trope is the quest. I just love having characters go to someplace unknown and just grow from that. The Druid of Shannara is pretty much one of my favorite fantasy books because of Walker's journey to the Eldwist. And this trilogy adds another level to an awesome journey story. I absolutely love the journey itself, but also the stuff that happens on said journey - like the growth of Bek, the mystery of the Ilse Witch, who is the spy, what will happen to the group. It is just an overall amazing first book in this trilogy.
What doesn't work:
While I am a huuuuuuuuuge Terry Brooks fan (I will read the hell out of all his books!), this series starts the formula for all his other books that take place chronologically after this. What I mean is that the same types of characters start to reappear, especially the boy Ohmsford character and the Wishsong. Bek is amazing, but down the road, you see him over and over again, so it really isn't a blight on this book, but it does set the stage.
The other thing I never noticed before I tried to become a writer myself was the repeating Mr. Brooks tends to do sometimes. For example, every time the characters meet to discuss their plans, every single character is named in that meeting. It happens a lot! And after a few times, it gets somewhat trite. This also happens with catching characters up to speed, many times the same history is repeated.
The biggest thing to me is probably the title. I enjoy how the script is flipped with the Ilse Witch, but really, in the scheme of the trilogy (spoiler), she really isn't the major focus until book 2 and especially book 3. While book 2 is aptly named, I think book 3 should have been called Ilse Witch. The reason this bugs me is because the Ilse Witch isn't a major POV character here, and most of the story revolves around the journey from Walker/Bek's POV. I know it is silly, but I think the title doesn't fit the story, but if you couldn't tell, I really love this book so I am somewhat nit-picking here.
Rating:
5 our of 5
Terry Brooks will always be one of my favorite authors and I re-read them quite often to immerse myself in a wonderful story. It is hard for me to rate each book individually because this trilogy is so strong as a whole, there are no let-down books that tend to happen with series. I don't know how anyone who enjoys fantasy could not love this book (trilogy).
January 16, 2024
Continuing my Annual reread of the early Shannara books. Even after 20 years I can't put them down on a second read through. Brooks at his finest.
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