Ilse Witch

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 show more 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 show less

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. She will stop at nothing to possess the map, and the magic it leads to.

Mr. Brooks brings together a likable cast of characters and sends them off on a quest. It isn't until the end of this first installment that we begin to catch glimpses of what this quest might be for - and then the ending leaves the reader thinking all is lost. Luckily for me, all of the books of the trilogy have been published and I don't have to wait to find out what happens next! One of the interesting themes is the idea of truth - when is it necessary to know the whole truth? when is it o.k. to have only part of the facts? does some truth have to be worked for/searched for, rather than given away freely?

The first of a new mini series set in the Four Lands. Like the Heritage series, we get to see parts of the Four Lands we haven't seen before. However, unlike the previous series, technology has started to creep back into the world, in the form of airships. That part about this series seemed a little odd to me - the constant battle between the forces of freedom and the dictatorship of the human federation has now taken on an almost 1941 RAF feeling. Not that that is bad, but the sudden rise of airships and their technology is a little bit jarring.
This is still a good book and well done.

This the first instalment of the Voyage of Jerle Shannara trilogy. I will definitely continue with these books. It is the usual Tolkien inspired fantasy affair. A group of mismatched people in a pre-industrial style fantasy land go on a seemingly impossible quest. Old guy with magical powers insists young lad goes on quest even though he doesn't appear to have anything to offer but he turns out to be pivotal to the success of the mission. Good vs. Evil etc. It may be nothing new, but Brooks spins the tale well and it is not so predictable it is spoiled.

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 show more 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. show less

This book starts a new series by Terry Brooks, set in the Shannara world. Walker Boh happens upon a map that leads to a new continent, where some sort of "great magic" is to be found. The book is good, but it seemed like it took too long to get started, and then the crossing of the Blue Divide seemed to happen too quickly. The book does have a good cliffhanger ending that makes you want to read the rest of the series.