Rating: 
Summary: First foray into Brooks' work, and, hey, I liked it.
Review: It's hard to delve into, let alone pass by the fantasy section of the bookstore without being aware of Mr. Brooks' works. Although I've fallen in and out of that section for around ten years, this was the first Brooks novel I've read, and I thought it was a lot of fun. Some other reviewers' observations I can also see. It did take over 200 pages for the Jerle Shannare to really get into the air, but even with this, I really enjoyed the entire ride, meeting the characters, and getting a taste of this world, its' people and history. Maybe it seemed too drawn out for those who have been there before, but for a first-timer, it was a nice introduction. The whole story really flows well and it was very hard to put down. From the moment the wing rider finds the mysterious and mutilated elven castaway to the meeting of the druid, Walker and the Elven King to the launch of the Jerle Shannare, the story starts at a fast clip and keeps going forward at a pace where pages seem to fly. It's filled with lots of surprises, and colorful, interesting characters like Rue Meridian, the knife-throwin' Rover woman and her captain brother, the before-mentioned Walker, whose inward struggle often battles with his ambition, and the titled character, the Ilse Witch, who is one of the most interesting because she's not all and all "bad", but young, very powerful, and seeking revenge for the past. All and all, I thought it was a great adventure, (or great beginning of an adventure since it's the first of three I think...) and not only am I looking forward to the next installment, but also may start perusing the Brooks' section of the bookstore in the meantime and check out his other works. One thing about reading this book, you can tell there's a lot of Shannara history laced into the background. It's still easy to follow but may seem more satifying for those more familiar with it. Also, on Brooks' style, one complaint is that sometimes he pulls out and starts "telling" the action as opposed to allowing the reader to flow along with it. (e.g "This then happened...then this...") But, a style good point, he really has a gift for great description as well as for imagery and metaphor. Point to this long review: Me liked it fine and can't wait until the next one. Here's hoping it comes out in less than a year since the end of this book leaves you very much hanging off some steep cliffs. (If you've read the book, you know some have even fallen off.)
Rating:
Summary: Another great one by one of the best
Review: Terry Brooks writes another great book to show why he is one of the best fantasy writers. I really enjoyed this book and read it in one (long) day. In this book Brooks takes you inside the mind of a Druid. You understand that while you and Walker the Druid don't like his using people, he must. You get the feelings of someone who is compelled to use others and yet abhores it at the same time. Fortunately, Brooks develops his characters without overdoing it as some do. As in many fantasies, these are unlikely heros that must do more than they believe they can. They are average people just as us. Some of the characters live under the misperceptions of who they are just as many people. We learn the lessons of honesty, love of companions and courage all without being preached to or knowing it. The voyage harkens back to C.S. Lewis's Voyage of the Dawn Treader or even probably farther back to Jason and the Argonauts or the Voyages of Sinbad. As any good fantasy Brooks appeals to the myths of humankind. This book also has one of the neatest covers with a translucent dust jacket. This is one of his best so step aboard the Jerle Shannara and join the Voyage.
Rating: 
Summary: It's a success!
Review: This book is great! It's a Shannara book through and through! I am so, so relieved and happy because I had been really unimpressed by Brook's last Shannara effort, First King. However, this one has all the magic and characterizations of the Classics and the Heritage, though the plot seems to have taken a turn from the usual. Interesting. It is really neat seeing our Walker Boh become The Druid, enigmatic and secretive, though he has many passages through his own point of view. I like all the main characters from vivid, confident Redden Alt Mer (the captain) to the bizarre Truls Rohk (a strange creature) to clever, thoughtful Bek Rowe (THE main character) to cheerful Quentin Leah (Bek's cousin and weilder of the sword) to tough and easy, beautiful Little Red (Rue Meridan, Redden's half-sister) and so on. They are all likable and the Ilse Witch is an intriguing mystery. However, you don't really get to know the characters very well except for Walker, Hunter Predd (I like him, too) and Bek. This whole book, while fun and exiting, was somewhat introductory and so I can't wait for the next, in which I assume we will know everyone better and get to sink our teeth into the characters and plot. In this one, roughly half the book is about rounding up the characters and the brisk, exciting preparations for the Jerle Shannara. And the other half is about traveling to the islands and trying to untangle their mystery and that of the keys and the castaway map's purpose. Lured onwards by the promise of a great magic, the crew and members of the quest may very well be flying into a trap. It's a good book and better yet a reassuring one, proving to us fans that Terry Brooks can still write Shannara well and true. It's also a mere prelude to the next! So read it and prepare to impatiently wait for the next!
Rating:
Summary: The Voyage of the Jerle Shannara : Ilse Witch (Book 1)
Review: Great book, I, for one, would love to see Terry stick with the Shannara series even after the next 2 in this trilogy come out. This book answers many questions that have been hinted at in earlier Shannara series. It starts a little slow, but quickly picks up to a great exciting adventure. Terry's great story telling and character development keep him right up there with Jordan and Goodkind as fantasy's best writers. Good work Terry!!
Rating:
Summary: One of THE best...
Review: Terry Brooks has facinated and entertained fantasy lovers since his incredible debut in '77 (The Sword of Shannara) and has yet to deliver a poor novel...and The Voyage of the Jerle Shannara is NO exception. I constantly found myself saying, 'This is good...but is it as good as...?' and by the time I reached the cliff-hanger (which really IS cruel of him to leave us wanting more in such a manner...) I was left literally yearning for more. I had known that this was going to be a series, but was hoping against hope that by the end he somehow would have tied up a few loose ends but you can forget that happening here. This story was amazingly fun and captivated me from page 1 through to the conclusion--which really isn't a conclusion at all, that isn't going to happen until book 3 (due sometime in 2002--oh how CRUEL to make us wait so looooong...). I remember enjoying the 'Heritage of Shannara' very much, and looking forward to the next installment, however nowhere near as much as I am looking ahead to book 2 in THIS series. Terry Brooks is to be commended on a return to (in MY opinion) the greatest fantasy series in print with an exceptional installment. The new characters are great, you learn to love them or despise them according to what Brooks lets you know about them, and you are CONSTANTLY wondering who the 'spy' is (although I think Brooks let's you in on who it is at the end--the VERY end). Pick this one up before it comes out in paperback, mostly due to it's intricate cover that is truly one of the best out there and easily the coolest Shannara cover to date. True Shannara fans will NOT be disappointed, those who expect the impossible in a novel might be, but then those folks never enjoy anything good anyway. READ THIS BOOK!!! Terry, I'm pleading here, don't make us wait so long...couldn't you just release book 2 by say, Christmas...? Just a thought. Love your stuff.
Rating:
Summary: Finally a return to Shannara
Review: I have to say, most of Terry Brooks' works I am not impressed with, but when it comes to a Shannara novel lock the door, take the phone off the hook and leave me alone til it is complete. His new book is no different. It is good to see Walker Boh again, although his cat Rumor is greatly missed this time around, and the new cast of characters are wonderful to get to know.
This journey takes the story out of the Four Lands and into new uncharted territory, as well as adding some well... science fiction or science fantasy aspects to the series. I was uncomfortable at first, but I trust Brooks to pull it off. This book suceeds at what a first novel is supposed to do, set up the conflict, introduce the characters and leave you wanting more. And with the events of the last page it certainly does!
It will be too long til the next book comes around!
Rating:
Summary: A good book
Review: I enjoyed this book very much. I was aware that it was to be a more-than-one book story, but I am still longing for the next book so that I can find out what happens. Although the book does start off a little slower than most of Brooks' other works, it is still an excellently (is that a word?) written book. This is a great book, and I am dying to continue the story. I recommend this book
Rating: 
Summary: It sucketh
Review: Sorry to all you who grew up reading Shannara, and thinking this is what passes for fantasy. I recommend you look backwards in time [Charles Williams, J R R Tolkien] or forward [George Martin, Robin Hobb, Elizabeth Haydon] if you want to see some talent in the field. Brooks cruises through, making use of other people's ideas as always. This book stinks.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent,but can't anyone write a stand-alone book anymore?
Review: Not much more to say than the above. I really enjoyed this book, great plot, some interesting characters. But, now we have to wait a year or so for the next installment. This is a technique most fantasy/sci-fi writers seem to employ today, and it's getting really old.
Rating: 
Summary: Weak
Review: As a fan of the previous Shannara books, I was very disappointed with this one. The plot is weak, the characters undeveloped and the "Cliff hanger" ending was predictable. It seemed the author was in a hurry when he wrote it as everything was rushed and glossed over. Not recomended.
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