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Ilse Witch (The Voyage of the Jerle Shannara, Book 1)

Ilse Witch (The Voyage of the Jerle Shannara, Book 1)

List Price: $7.99
Your Price: $7.19
Product Info Reviews

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Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Great start to a trilogy!
Review: Let me start by saying that I've never read anything by Terry Brooks prior to Isle Witch. I'm playing catch-up, with the Sword of Shannara trilogy and the Heritage of Shannara trilogy on order for myself. While I question the traditional character qualities found in Brook's fantasy (i.e. his Elves really don't seem like Elves - they are very human-like, if that makes any sense to you), I can't deny the unquestionable abilities of his character development. I was expecting traditional fantasy; Elves, goblins, trolls, etc, but instead I was treated to a fantastic blend of science fiction as well, which I didn't know he delved into. It makes for a very interesting plot and gives you something most unexpected since it doesn't follow the normal path of hero vs. villian. The follow-up to this, Antrax, I am reading right now and am thoroughly enjoying the story even more.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Still going good.
Review: Alright,so,can any author you know write tons of books on the same topic,and still be writing well?Terry Brooks can.
He has barely shown a hint of repetiteveness,and actually ,made this book quite different than the others .
So know,airships.Has he ever had something like that in it before?Absolutely not,creativity is kicking!Then of course there is Truls Rohk the shapeshifter,the ur'wolves(which have never been mentioned before),and of course the Ilse Witch,who is a completely different villain than the others.
He also is not making the Elves all superior and winning every battle like he has in the past.That has always been a little peeve of mine.
There also is Panax.Yay!A dwarf after all this time it's unfortunate that Steff didn't stay throughout the whole Heritage series,then I wouldn't be so happy that Panax existed.
While I'm on the topic of characters,the characters were quite strong in this volume.Panax,Truls Rohk,Rue Meridian,Redden Alt Mer,Ard Patrinell,Quentin Leah,Alend Ellesedil,Hunter Predd,Walker Boh, The Ilse Witch,the Morgawr,and last but not least Bek Rowe.I deeply approved.
So know here is the plot:An elf is found in the Blue Divide half drowned,bearing a map of a quest for a forgotten magic.Eventually,this news comes to the Druid,Walker Boh,who organizes a quest for the magic this quest was for.But it also reaches the ears of the Ilse Witch,who will do anything to stop them.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: I have read all of Terry Brooks' novels...
Review: and this one did not disappoint. The characters are deep, and the plot never slips. I couldn't wait until this one was released, had it pre-ordered at a local bookstore! If you just started with this Brooks series, go back and read all of his books, from the original Sword of Shannara, and the Lost Kingdom series right up to current.

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: So What's New?
Review: 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.

Rating: 1 stars
Summary: Giant Eels?! Woot!!!
Review: I'd never been a fan of Brooks or Shannara; captivating prose is one thing if it steals the scene in the first few pages, but sustaining the thrill throughout the book has never been a strength of Brooks, and in this case the book falls flat on its face. Giant eels? Oh please.

The humdrum, cliched 'gathering of the Company' and the hollow characterization play second fiddle to the laughable plot twists however. I bought this book after reading the excerpt, hoping that the author's style had gained some flavor and maturity over time. As it turns out I just wasted my money.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Brooks is getting better!
Review: in this series, B shows greater mastery at a detailed level, and introduces much more interesting chracters, carried out in a much more interesting way. also, he gets much more inventive. a really good book with great promise. the plot is carried out in a better and more inventive way, than in his earlier books.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Great...but no suprise...
Review: When I found that Terry Brooks had started a new series I was so excited. Upon reading the first of the series I must say that I wasn't dissapointed. I waited until I finished the series to write a review.....didn't want to kick myself in the proverbial behind so to speak. I recommend this series as well as all of the other Brooks works...except Phantom Menace...don't get me started on the new Star Wars films, lol. All in all I love his work and love the new Shannara series as well. Buy all of the Shannara books......I promise you'll love them too! (bold statement......but backed up by any true Brooks fan)

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Great Epic Fantasy
Review: After reading Stanek's Ruin Mist books I was looking for something to read and someone recommended Voyage of Jerle Shannara. I had previously read the Sword of Shannara books so thought maybe I'd try this. Let me say, it was just what I was looking for in an epic fantasy series. Terry Brooks creates not just characters, but he includes various customs and cultures unique to themselves. I am reading the Antrax now.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Great Read
Review: 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

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: A promising beginning
Review: A thoroughly enjoyable book with lots of action and plot twists. The characters vary considerably. I find Bek and Quentin unbelievably tedious and identical to the bland characters in other books. The parts focusing on them were rather dull. However others such as Walker, Truls and the Rovers more than made up for this and I would definately recomend the book.


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