Rating: 
Summary: Ilse Witch
Review: Although not the best Shanarra book, Ilse Witch is still an excelent novel. I think that the inclusion of technology in the series is an interesting twist, and although it was a bit of an awkward addition to the series, it is done in the context of the series.
There has always been mention that the Old World technology was still alive somewhere in the world, from the very first appearance of a creeper, in what I believe was the first book, and there have been several small references since then, so this, although probably not executed in the best way, is not an entirely unexpected twist in the Shannara series.
Rating: 
Summary: Not the best, but still entertaining
Review: Again, Brooks has started a series that requires the reader to purchase sequels rather than writing self contained novels. I'd buy them anyway, of course, I don't think anyone is better than he at making a virtual world come alive without illustration.This one is fairly predictable; from the beginning you can much more easily guess the family connections before you're told them. Then again, Walker Boh isn't Bek's great great great (and then some) grandpa's kind of Druid, so maybe he's a bit more open. I do look forward to the next installment, however, and find it an entertaining read, as always.
Rating: 
Summary: Shannara Fans Beware
Review: I have not even finished this book yet, but feel that a warning to fans of the Shannara books is justified. This book does not flow as easily or pull you into its storyline like the other 6 before it did. The writing is inconsistent. Every few chapters feel like the old books but you have to suffer through awkward, empty chapters to get to the good ones. I actually found myself skipping pages looking for familar Shannara content. The purity of the Shannara land has been ruined with technology that was never in the other books. The presence of such technology is inconsistent with the old storyline and has never been hinted at before. The book feels forced. So far, I am very disappointed and am forcing myself to finish this book in hopes that it will improve. As a long-time Terry Brooks and Shannara fan I had been looking forward to reading this book and still hope to enjoy the nostalgia of Shannara.
Rating: 
Summary: Beware This is at least a 3 part series!!!!!
Review: I love Terry Brook's writing but when I found this book in paperback and found that the story was continued in the second book, I was very upset. I had to buy the second book in hardcover just to continue the story. The story will suck you in and not let go and the 3rd book is not out yet so beware if you start this series!!!!!!!!!
Rating:
Summary: Another Brooks Classic
Review: Another great journey into the world of Shannara. This time with the great airships. My only problem is the ending, there wasn't one. If you haven't picked this book up yet buy the second one as well!
Rating:
Summary: A departure, but still great Shannara...
Review: After Terry Brooks' previous multi-volume Shannara tale, The Heritage of Shannara, I was looking forward with high expectations to Ilse Witch as the opening to yet another excellent voyage to the Four Lands. Although not quite what I expected, I was still not disappointed. I've been following the happenings in the Four Lands since Wil Ohmsford and Amberle Elessedil went on their perilous journey to save the world from the demons of Faerie in The Elfstones of Shannara. This latest volume concerns the quest of the last (?) Druid, Walker as he puts together a company of intrepid explorers and starts on a quest to recover lost magic discovered across the sea. In hot pursuit, with designs on the magic, is the Ilse Witch and her minions. The Witch also is out for personal vengeance against Walker, the reasons for which are made clear near the end of the book. As is usual for fantasy quests, the company of heroes is rich and varied: Walker, the Druid, tormented by the legacy of the druids and their history of fact-concealing and manipulation, while being forced to indulge in it for the good of the quest, Bek Rowe, the orphan with a mysterious past and a great (though unclear) destiny, Quentin Leah, the latest in a long line of valiant highlanders armed with the magic of the ancient Sword of Leah, the dark shapeshifter Truls Rokh, Ahren Elessedil, brother of the Elf King and friend to Bek, and others. Speeding them on their journey is the fabulous airship Jerle Shannara, with its first-class Rover crew. The airship is a new feature for the Four Lands, and it is VERY reminiscent of the airships used in the early installments of the Final Fantasy computer game series. For the most part, this first book is concerned with the preparations for the journey across the seas, as the company is gathered and the airship is obtained. The latter third of the book details the journey across the ocean and the gathering of the keys needed to unlock the magic at their destination. Brooks keeps the pace of the story moving along nicely, with a number of plot twists thrown in for good measure. Some of the plot twists are not much of a surprise to longtime Shannara fans, while others are quite unexpected. I don't want to reveal any of them to those who have not read the story, but the plot twists serve to tie the series to its history and firmly ground this series in the existing Shannara mythology. Overall, I was very happy with this novel and am eagerly looking forward to reading the sequel. I would recommend this book to anyone. One word of warning, though - the first three Shannara Books (The Sword of Shannara, The Elfstones of Shannara, and The Wishsong of Shannara) are all, in my opinion, required reading before reading this one. They are all darn good reads in and of themselves, also.
Rating:
Summary: A Harrowing Tale of Danger, Magic, and Action:
Review: Airships, Harrowing Islands, and a Conflicted Druid! This next book in the long time Shannara series is a slight departure in some ways, but reveals some comforts of the past books that many of us have come to love. Walker Boh from the 4-book 'Heritage of Shannara' series is back as the new Druid. Although he may be a druid, he lacks virtually none of the characteristics of previous stable, aggressive, covert druids of the past. Instead, he is a conflicted mess of turmoil, doubt, and overt manipulation that some of his journey-mates find quite frustrating. This departure is a welcome rew role for Terry Brooks to write about since it shows the depth of his style and character development as he has matured as a writer. This role is more gritty, more human, and more difficult to communicate than previous main characters in some of his books. In fact, this is one thing I really enjoyed about 'Ilse Witch': it was darker, grittier, and more harrowing compared to its predecessors. Brooks takes this feel and injects it into a fast paced book with plenty of character development. Traveling further out into the blue divide than he has ever taken us before, the passengers aboard the Jerle Shannara have to pick up keys on three successive islands that will help them unlock secrets at their final destination regarding the "old world" mystery. I think that Brooks is up to something here in opening up the old world information, but the way he gets his characters there is spine-tingling just the same. Brooks dreams up horrors and scares anew that kept me on the edge of my seat and reading into the wee hours. The airships are a certain departure that is welcome with the pace of the action. Certainly the Ilse Witch herself is a compelling character as she chases the Jerle Shannara in her own airship. Overall, this is an excellent next step in the already classic Shannara series, but this hardcover book, by far, has the most beautiful cover I have ever seen. Buy it for whats inside, but enjoy the outside too.
Rating:
Summary: Not Shannara's best
Review: I have to agree with many of the other reviewers of this book. I've read all of the other Shannara books, as well as several of Brooks's other books, and I've greatly enjoyed them. This one, however, left me cold. It has many of the common elements of his books (perhaps thrown a little too frequently at you, to remind you of all of them again), and some of his style. Yet somehow, something was missing. The characters weren't as realistic, the evil was too predictable (as were several of the plot twists), and many of the descriptions dragged on. It all felt less carefully edited, like the author had rambled more and relied too much on old Shannara standards without strong enough writing to let them succeed this time. I also have to say that Brooks used one of the sci-fi/fantasy techniques that I personally dislike the most, i.e. take a perfectly good fantasy world, develop it thoroughly and separately from our own, and then mix our science and technology in. This may be a personal bias, but I always find it to be a cop-out. (for those of you who haven't read the book, this shouldn't be too much of a spoiler unless you haven't read any of the other Shannara books. If this is your first Shannara book, I would suggest putting it down and going back to read them in more of a chronological order; this book refers to past books a lot, and will make much more sense if you've read them first) I will still read the sequel (especially since one of my housemates considerately left it lying on the coffee table for me), and I will still recommend this author, but I was not enamored of this book.
Rating:
Summary: An awesome book!!!
Review: Of all the fantasy books and series I've read, I always enjoy Brooks' more than others. Personally, I consider Brooks' books a little less intense than others (such as the Sword of Truth series) they are still awesome. Brooks does a great job of introducing and developing characters as well as the plot. The only problem with this book is that you have to buy (or borrow) the next couple books in the series, but it is well worth it. Although this book is somewhat quiet, the next book, Antrax, contains a lot of good action. Overall, I would say that anyone who likes fantasy will like this.
Rating:
Summary: Not as good as the first
Review: Remember how Alien3 ruined the end of Aliens? Same deal here. Not a bad story, but it spoils the "old world" mystery of other shannara novels.
|
