Rating: 
Summary: Just when you think it is over you realize it has just begun
Review: This is a typical great book in the strain of Terry Brooks. Brooks fans with find nothing new here but will find the great story and action they are used to and are looking for. The ending is terrific and hints at more great storytelling to come in the near future.
Rating: 
Summary: Enjoyable read but non flawless
Review: I have always been a big fan of the Shannara series and I greatly enjoyed this book. Nevertheless, I will agree with some of the things that people have said. I think that the way certain characters were relegated to almost non-existence for large parts of the book really hurt the story.
Nevertheless, I think the book is certainly a worthwhile reading. There is much less action than in many of the previous books and the activities tend to focus more on the interactions between the different characters. I find the character development to be interesting and I am definately looking forward to the next book.
Rating:
Summary: GREAT ending to an outstanding series!
Review: The start of this series (Ilse Witch) began with an incredible BANG!! if you ask me. Antrax slowed down just a bit, but continued the 'Voyage' series with some gusto, all while doing it in a very different vein than all of the usual 'Shannara' novels of the past. It's the main reason why Terry Brooks has so many fans to begin with, continuously writing novels of high caliber. Morgawr wraps up the entire 'Voyage' series nicely, and does it by revealing a lot more about this mysterious creature who adopted the Ilse Witch as his protege. Is he powerful? Absolutely. What does he want? Absolute revenge against the Ilse Witch for what he views as her betrayal against him. At the end of Antrax Redden Alt Mer and the crew of the Jerle Shannara see not just one or two, but a fleet of airships coming out of the clouds towards them...at the beginning of Morgawr, we travel back to the Four Lands and see the organization of that fleet by the shifty creature himself and how he went about crewing such a large number of ships with a group of the Living Dead. This portion of the novel was a little more graphic than any other previous Brooks novel I can think of, but incredibly riviting at the same time. This Morgawr is just a really nasty individual, and he REALLY wants Bek's sister in a bad way. Along the way we get to see the Elven Prince come into his own, even though he spends a good portion of the novel wondering if Ryer Ord Starr has betrayed him. Ultimately what we THOUGHT was the original reason for the long voyage to Parkasia turns out to be something else entirely. The so called Books of Magic they came to find become beyond reach after Walker defeated Antrax at the end of book 2...so what WAS the purpose of the voyage? This is where I think I differ in my opinion over those of many others who felt cheated at how Morgawr ends. Was it a big surprise? Not really, since one or two reviewers felt it necessary to reveal more than they should have while giving us their opinions of the book...but all things considered, I felt satisfied at the entire story as a whole. I very much hope to see Redden Alt Mer again and I'll be downright disappointed if Rue Meridian doesn't make another appearance in the next series due out Fall of '03. One important thing to consider, however: The end of Morgawr is very much like the beginning to another chapter, and leaves you wondering where the next series is planning on going. I kept thinking at first that my book was missing a few pages, but it all fell into place after a moment. My hats off to Terry Brooks and his terrific addition to the world of Shannara. I have long ago stopped thinking that I know what is best for a series of novels...If Terry wants to continue, than great. It is HIS imagination, and I think it best if he writes it however he wishes. All I know is if it has HIS name on it, I'll be buying it for as long as he continues to write.
Rating: 
Summary: Not a satisfying end to a promising series
Review: For the most part I have to agree with previous reviewers on this book. Reading THE ISLE WITCH and ANTRAX was like a breath of fresh air in the world of SHANNARA. Those books were compelling, fraught with new advenure, danger, and excitement. The airships were an interesting new edition, and the Cyborg/A.I. ANTRAX was a new step in Terry Brooks' evolution as a writer. What more can one ask for? These days it seems like Fantasy authors are afraid of taking new steps preferring to hash out the "old tried and true", e.g., Sharon Green (The Blending Enthroned)[no significant new growth, plot, or change from the Blending]. Whilst "The Voyage of the Jerle Shannara" was not in the strictest sense new ground breaking material, Terry Brooks did at least try to offer up new insights, technology, worldview, etc. Some authors don't try to do even that nowadays. However, MORGAWR is without a doubt the weakest book in the new triology, indeed the weakest SHANNARA book in a while. Who could not have guessed that the Isle Witch would end up using the sword? Who could not see the Bek/Grianne parallelism with Coll/Par? Most importantly, who could not see that the main reason that Walker wanted the Isle Witch to survive and make it back to the Four Lands was because she is to be his successor - the next Druid? Quentin Leah? He was the arch-model of any Leah you could name in the series. Redden Alt Mer, Rue Meridian? Look no further than the first SHANNARA triology and you will find the single character that they are both modelled after. One rover is the same as the next, as well as one roc. Ahren Elessedil? I wonder where I've seen him before? Look to the flawed Elven Prince in Wren's time, although Ahren's dynamic is not exactly like his, its close enough. Finally, we come to the MORGAWR himself. One can only wonder how come he did not effect the world in the way he did this series, and not so when he was introduced in THE HERITAGE OF SHANNARA. Character development perhaps? Anyhow, my main concern with him was the way in which he was taken out. It seemed too simplistic and hurried, way, way, too easy. Perhaps he will be seen again in Brooks' new series, and a more satisfying battle between himself and the Druid Grianne will take place. Maybe the Shade of Walker Boh will come out for that confrontation and gloat saying something along the lines, "You didn't think I'd die without making provisions for taking care of you did ya?" "Consider this a last parting gift from the 'Dark Uncle'." Loopholes in the plot, several, lines dangling, yes. Perhaps they will be addressed in the next series. On the whole an average ending to an above average promising series. I am reminded by what most of the crew spoke and thought..... "Was this voyage really worth it the end, with nothing much to show for the trials and tribulations experienced?" The answer..."The dark form rose out of the pool and pointed a skeletal finger at me from within black robes that revealed nothing." "The Shade, Walker Bok, looked at me and gestured towards The Sword of Shannara, indicating that I should touch it." "I reached my hands toward the sword and wrapped my fingers around the pommel, instantly feeling myself being drawn down into it." "Images flashed in my mind with blinding speed, stripping away all of my self concept and conceit, laying my soul bear and revealing the truth that lay hidden, the truth that I hid away even from myself." "The honest to God stark truth about The Voyage of the Jerle Shannara." "I saw it bright and painful and I screamed, my magic reared up in response blocking the truth from me, encasing my mind in a wall of ebony darkness and rendering me into a catatonic state." "The Shade of Walker Boh looked, shaked his head and said two words, "Oh crap!"
Rating: 
Summary: Definitely outside of expectation.
Review: I'm a fan of the Shannara series, I've read every single one up until this point, and I was looking forward to Morgawr since last year. I finally got it today, and I was eager to read it, and spend a few hours. Here's what I can say for sure. First, the book seems to deviate from the pre-set theme of the Voyage trilogy - which I understood to be Antrax, the "fire threads", the machines, etc. It felt like Brooks wanted to sidetrack the reader from even thinking about the machinery, but he seemed to forget what the whole point of Book 2 was about. Second, it seems like they wanted to kill off characters quickly. I won't spoil names, but let's say a LOT of the names disappear/die off QUICKLY, and in a rushed fashion. My favorite character, in fact, was removed in a plot twist that was almost halfway expected. The whole deal happened SO fast that even I didn't know what was happening until I learned that she was getting beaten, and 'defiled'. That's right, I said defiled. Maybe it's just me, but I seem to remember defile being the equivalent of rape. I have a problem with this. Sure it's realism, but this is a fantasy book, remember? Why is Brooks having one of the more developed characters in this trilogy being raped? That's not the worst part. The worst part is that this rape session is actually a bestiality session. Yes, the Mwellrets are doing it. Of course they're not human. So what we've got is a female character in this trilogy, probably the most well developed character-wise, being "defiled" by non-humans. Brooks, you've hit a new low on that one. That alone made me drop 2 stars off. Third, there are relationships that were long developing that just abruptly "happen" between certain pairs. Again, no spoiling, but yeah. Fourth, I was very disappointed with Quentin Leah's path. He was not developed like his ancestors were in previous Shannara books, and this disappoints me, because the Leah family was the most developed character-wise in my opinion. But in this one, it was almost too easy to forget him if they hadn't mentioned him. Last, but not least, another person had reviewed speaking about Walker dissolving into "any lake" instead of the Hadeshorn. This could not be more true. It was disappointing to see Walker just go to any lake and just dissolve into the water, even though it was not where all Druids are supposed to go. I enjoy the story, but there are things that are not comparable to the others. This one felt like Brooks was trying to finish the story faster than it should have been finished. A year to wait for a sequel is a while between books, but longer would have been acceptable if the quality had been better. I'd say see if you can find this in your library first to see if it's to your liking, and definitely, I would NOT recommend getting this book if you haven't at least read the first and second books.
Rating:
Summary: Much prose about nothing
Review: As we've seen in each book of this new trilogy, most of the prose seems to be filler, with sub-plots which accomplish nothing meandering around for no apparent purpose. Brooks displays his superb writing abilities in the opening chapters and closing chapters of each of these novels; but the rest of the substance of these books seem to be composed mainly of soul-searching, bonding, and boo-hooing. The only truly imaginative and exciting characters in this whole saga are the Ilse Witch, Truls Rohk, and Walker. Early on in Morgawr, Terry disposes of two of them, as a practical matter, and not long afterwards he gets rid of the third. He also removes Ryer Ord Star from the novel (as a magical force), and relegates Ahren to such a weak role that the Elfstones are rendered a nullity. In other words, there are probably less than 20 pages of "magic" in this entire novel; mainly near the end in the superbly written confrontation we knew would eventually occur. The rest of the book is a relatively ordinary adventure novel, filled with PC adventurers with hearts of gold,who are full of guilt and self-doubt, and often considering sacrificing their lives for their companions; rather than the tough, realistic, self-serving characters we've seen in the earlier novels; men like the Creels, and Garet Jax. This entire trilogy could have been told in one novel; and in fact the entire voyage itself was wholly unnecessary. Antrax itself contributes nothing to the ultimate resolution of the story. What is accomplished by the major characters could easily have been accomplished in the Four Lands. 80% of the chapters could have been replaced by a few paragraphs without any loss of meaning insofar as they move the main plot along. After tantalizing us with more potential magic than we've ever had before (Two wishsongs, the Elfstones, the Sword of Shannara, the Sword of Leah, Druid Power, and the Morgawr, Terry simply abandons them, one by one; and what we are left with is a mundane story about Rovers and flight and bonding/love stories. Near the end, we are treated to what we know will occur, as the most powerful characters meet in battle; but the rest of the book displays almost nothing imaginative or exciting; nor are any of these characters people I find realistic. The ending isn't even a true ending. Like the endings of the individual books; it leaves us hanging a bit, apparently to pique our interest in the next series. Some of the prose is terrific. Truls Rohk is the type of character Terry creates better than anyone, and his writing about the shape-shifter is consistently good; but Rohk isn't in the book much. Neither is the Ilse Witch. If you enjoy the Rovers, and enjoy reading chapters about them which contribute nothing to the resolution of the story; and enjoy the bonding between Bek and Rue; and want to read dozens of pages about it; then you may enjoy this book. I didn't find any of the Rovers to be imaginative or particularly realistic (as tough fighting men/women); nor was I able to identify with the continual weaknesses displayed by Bek, Ahren, or Quentin. I don't expect my male adventure heroes to burst into tears and be comforted by women, as if they were children. This book reminded me more of a soap opera than an exciting, adventurous work of fantasy; though a few times Brooks displays terrific prose; when he is writing about Rohk and Grianne. For that reason, the book is worth reading, but it's light-years from the wondrous prose and imaginativeness we saw in Sword, Elfstones, and Wishsong.
Rating:
Summary: Not a satisfying end of a trilogy
Review: 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.
Rating: 
Summary: Uhhhhhh.......This is Awful.
Review: Where to start? The characters are so bland and basically the same boring characters from previous novels but with different names. The plot is the same tired formula he has used since the beginning with no suprises, no new twists, nothing. You know what's going to happen from the beginning. This is a small novel about a small group of characters fighting a small group of bad guys that aren't that tough. In his early novels, the stories were epic, with giant battles, unbeatable odds and very suspenseful. He left all that out this time. And why not suprise us once. Why can't some of the main characters die? Why are all the main characters so wholesome? Is there never a bad seed? Why don't they ever fail? Why do the characters always have the same problem with magic, not wanting to use it, getting addicted for a little while before breaking free of it? Why are the Ohmsfords always in their early 20s and they always have there friend Leah who is about the same age who carries the Sword of Leah? Does danger never strike a Ohmsford at any other time of his life? Why does everything return to the status quo?. Why do the characters spend most of the time thinking about doing something or thinking about what they did instead of actually doing anything? Why are the Shanara books declining in quality from series to series?
Rating:
Summary: Not bad, could have been better!!
Review: I too have been a long time fan of Terry Brooks. I have read the entire Shannara series and his other series as well. I was really looking forward to this book. I enjoyed THE ISLE WITCH(IW) but thought ANTRAX was slightly boring. I enjoyed the back drop in IW and was looking forward to the journey that was to take place. I was surprised to see that Brooks used the "wishsong" again. That is getting a little old. Except for Walker Boh's inherited magic, prior to his becoming a druid, it seems that all the Ohmsfords inherit the wishsong. I have always found this odd. Somehow singing ones way through a battle has always been hard for me to imagine. It would be nice to see some of the Ohmsford decendents have their magic develop along other lines. Anyway, I thought IW did a good job in setting the backdrop for the story and I couldn't wait for ANTRAX. However, I found the whole concept of a living computer that controlled the weather and many various robots to be a little too much. What I really enjoyed about ANTRAX was the ending. With Walker Boh dying and his insistance that Bek help the Isle Witch I could pretty much guess the ending of MORGAWR as I'm sure anyone who is familiar with the Shannara story line could but I was looking forward to the showdown between the Isle witch and the Morgawr. After reading MORGAWR I am somewhat displeased. I thought the story telling was fine. I think that some of the other reviewers for this book were right in saying that character development was not as detailed as in other of Brook's works. I suspect that was due to the many different characters and Brooks not wanting to burden the reader with extra reading for all the characters. If he had spent more time in character development the story would have lost it's quick pace. ....
Rating:
Summary: Time to close the franchise with this stinker
Review: I'm sorry. There is no excuse for an author who has been writing for 25 years in the same series, which started out "borrowing" so blatantly from Tolkien, turning out a book this boring. None whatsoever. In my opinion, while Sword of Shannara was amateurish and embarassing, the young Brooks matured and turned out some pretty decent volumes--Elfstones being, in my opinion, the best of them. But then the cash machine turned on, and he has been sitting in his million dollar Washington mansion turning out formulaic garbage ever since. When the Jerle Shannara trilogy came out I thought well, this is at least a little different; he is not stealing from Tolkien or Gary Gygax quite so much now. And the first book wasn't too bad. But it has slipped back into the same formulaic, crappy slop that has come to personify Brooks' work. Others have summed up my thoughts exactly in terms of what the problems are with the plot and characterization of the book. I just add my additional disappointment that rich Mr. Brooks isn't sarified to let it go gracefully. It's time to close the franchise, Terry. You're embarrassing yourself.
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