Rating: 
Summary: Hmmm. Can't seem to get through it
Review: I've read the entire Shannara series and then read Tolkein. Now I can't seem to get past the first 50 pages of this book. It seems as though Brooks has extended the Shannara name a little thin. His writing hasn't matured significantly since 'First King' and I seem to be detecting some repeated characterization and even repeated lines out of the original series and the Heritage series. Maybe someday I'll get past it and read the rest of the book, but I'm getting disappointed in the now-stale writing. Read the Landover series if you're looking for more Terry Brooks reading.
Rating: 
Summary: Fresh new ideas
Review: This book is Brooks' best (so far). I was surprised to find that Brooks reversed the direction of Shannara somewhat by sending the Druid and his friends (more accurately, the Druid and suspicious half-followers) out against an unknown enemy, and the stakes of this voyage were undefined. However, I thought that was a change for the better. I also liked the way he incorporated some sci-fi into it, by way of airships. These flying boats capture light (I think) through the sails, and the diapson crystals convert the light into energy. The way this book starts off as a voyage into the wild blue yonder, with no clear purpose, changes quickly into a tense airship chase, and has a cliffhanger ending that leaves you wondering and hungry for Antrax is truly amazing.Character development is, as usual for Brooks, not quite up to standard with other, bigger books, such as The Wheel of Time series, but I think that Brooks actually made an effort give you a good feel for the characters. Not that he succeeded. But also as usual, Brooks' mastery of plot and battles, and also the mastery of making you feel worried for the bland characters, overcomes his aforementioned blandness in character development. Great read. Buy it.
Rating: 
Summary: Decent build up for a series
Review: The Voyage of the Jerle Shannara is a tale in three parts. It begins with the Ilse Witch, peaks with Antrax, and winds down with Morgawr. Of the three, I believe Antrax is the best, with Morgawr being the weakest link. The Ilse witch ranks in between, as a masterful work of fiction.
A body has been foudn in the Blue Divide, which spurs Walker Bo, the last Druid (from the Heritage of Shannara series) to take on a journey across the Blue Divide to find the books of magic (don't worry, I have given nothing away here). The party is assembled of Wing Riders, Elves, Rovers, a Seer and a couple of lads from Leah. Along the way, they must solve three puzzles and learn a lot about who they might become.
Of the three books in this series, this is, by far, the best in character development. While not as good as Antrax, it far outweighs Morgawr, which feels a bit rushed and convenient. The story is very well developed, and provides the readers with a few twists that keep will keep the pages turning.
Rating:
Summary: Not Bad at all
Review: Well well well..... Mr. Brooks is at it again!! His most recent outing in the Shannara series is rather good, i must say. Although a bit draggy at times, the book magically sustained my interest throughout. The druid, Walker is back togeter with good ol' Truls Rohk. Fans of them take note. All in all, this books shows that Terry hasn't lost his magic touch yet.
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Summary: Ilse Witch is a great addition to Brooks writings
Review: I very much enjoyed this book. Unlike some of the other fantasy series I follow which tend to go off track, create to many characters, or get lost in their own complex world- Brooks is concise and has a purpose to his books.
With very readable writing style you easily get caught up in the world Brooks has created. The well developed characters let you identify with them thus entrenching your emotions into the book.
I must have read this book in 3 days, just blasted through it.
Ready many of brooks earlier Shannara series; the earliest are the toughest to get through, the latter the best; I think he is returning to his best form.
This book resolves issues brought up in the previous book and puts a few new ones out there to peak your interest in the next. I'm very interested in the next read, great book Terry!
Rating:
Summary: A Great Beginning
Review: Terry Brooks has once again proven himself to be one of the greatest fantasy writers of all time. In Ilse Witch, he completely changes his style of writing-for the better. He includes all sorts of magic, of course, but he puts in a touch of sci-fi too, in the form of airships. Characters-5 out of 5 stars. There are no characters that strike me as being "boring, stupid, or pointless." Walker, the Ilse Witch, and Truls Rohk are especially good. Storyline/Plot-5 out of 5 stars. Terry Brooks includes tons of plot twists, and the story is fast-paced. Overall: 5 out of 5. A great beginning to what is sure to be a great series.
Rating:
Summary: Brooks Is Back In Excellent Form
Review:
After having dropped off the Terry Brooks bandwagon for many years due to his departures into the Magic Kingdom For Sale (SOLD) and other more recent series, I was apprehensive about "The Ilse Witch."
But by the time I had read the first few lines I was hooked. I enjoyed the ties to the past to the early Shannara works, as well as the way Brooks brought Walker the Druid into a more mature character, fully cognizant of his own mortality, and aware of his own shortcomings and vulnerabilities, while yet preserving his abilities to rise to the occassion.
The Ilse Witch character was interesting given her background and the situation from which her journey into evil began.
The premise for the book and the melding of magic and technology is not a new concept. But Brooks gave it some nice twists.
Truks Rohls is an engaging character and his timely arrivals are a signal that something very dramatic is about to happen.
Best of all, Brooks has evolved into a very economical writer. The book is fast paced and extremely well written, with no wasted time or words.
Highly recommended either as a way to continue traveling in Shannara or as an entry point from which to travel back in time.
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Summary: New book, new formula
Review: I had just started reading the Shannara series about 4 or five months before i read Ilse Witch, and i must say that the series just keeps getting better and better.
I really enjoyed the likes of The sword of Shannara and Elfstones, but at the end, i always kept thinking, there could have been more. I always thought that those books, especially Sword, would have been better if it was more than one novel, i mean, if the Warlock Lord was so powerful, why did it take only 10 or so minutes to defeat him. I like this latest series because there are many new elements added to it. The addition of the Airships, a new continent, and the fact that it was more than one novel really gave me a higher opinion of the book. The only thing that i was a little dissatisfied about was the fact that, Brooks seems to have traded characterization for action (which there is a lot of), and the fact that it seems sort of like a mystery at first, you know something that you might expect to find in a Nancy Drew book. Now, the series has always had it share of mystery and unanswered questions, but this seemed like a bit much. Also, even though the characters and plot are interesting, i felt that there were many plot holes, and disasters that could have been avoided. If Bek used the Sword of Shannara to get through the squirm, what seems like a natural obstacle, then how come he couldnt use it to sense the dangers of the creepers and fire threads? Maybe thats just my thinking though. I would recommend this book to anyone who is a fan of the series, because i think, that like me, you will be able to look over the little things that upset you, and genuinly enjoy this series.
Rating:
Summary: Can't Get Enough of Terry Brooks's Shannara Series
Review: I didn't think I could get through a book faster than I had read The Voyage of the Jerle Shannara -Ilse Witch. But I suprised myself with Antrax. I finished way too soon. Terry Brooks gets me so involved with his characters that I don't want the story to end. And when it does, I can't wait for the next one. I waited a year for Antrax to come out in paperback. I won't wait for Morgawr -- I'm ordering it right now!
Rating:
Summary: Excellent!
Review: Once again I have been captured by the creativity and imagination of Terry Brooks. I have read the entire Shannara series and have loved every word. In fact, I have read them all more than once. I look forward to reading the sequels to Ilse Witch and as many other books as this author chooses to write.
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