Rating: 
Summary: AVERAGE STORY WITH NO SUPRISES AND RATHER BORING
Review: The Shannara books have become so generic and formulatic that there are no surprises, no twists, nothing to make it interesting. His characters are generic, usually young adult, innocent who must go into the big world. How about some variety? Now that the Shannara world has been completly explored several books back, the mystery and adventure is gone. So now, in the book we go outside the four lands across the ocean, but do we find excitement, mystery and the unexpected? OF COURSE NOT! The characters go to three islands where some type of guardian attacks them, but the guardian is defeated so quickly and then they move on, so there's no chance of developing the story or sense of adventure. Terry rushes the characters across the ocean to get to mysterious land at the end where the second book and hopefull the story will start.
Rating: 
Summary: Bravo Once Again!
Review: Once again Terry Brooks returns to the world of Shannara and completely captivates. I purchased the book as soon as it came out and finished it in two days. I was devastated to learn the next book wouldn't be published until September 2001. I won't reveal any of the content or plot of the book; suffice it to say that it is excellent; no, beyond excellent. My only complaint is there is too long a wait between books! (Write faster, Mr. Brooks!) As far as I'm concerned, there are only two science fiction/fantasy authors worth reading - - Tokien and Terry Brooks.
Rating: 
Summary: Entertaining, but not like the Shannara of the past
Review: Ilse Witch was a relatively quick read, and it was entertaining, but it lacked what I seem to remember as thorough descriptions of the setting from the previous Shannara novels. I just did not get the sense for where the characters were. Also, the airship bit is just a little too far flung for my taste. I almost did not bother reading this book because of that.
Rating: 
Summary: Only 1/3 of a book (maybe only 1/4)
Review: I thought this book was a great summer read. It had a good pace, an interest concept and likable, if not complex, characters. My only disappointment was that it isn't an entire book, it is just a teaser for the books to come. The book does not have an ending; the book just runs out of pages. I highly suspect that Mr. Brook's book deal states that he needs to write 451 pages per book and that is what he did. The Isle Witch is a good start but if you have a memory like me wait until all 3 or 4 installment have been written, so you can read the whole story.
Rating:
Summary: this book kick[s]
Review: look. this book isn't "weak." it does have a cliffhanger ending, but thats the point of a SERIES right?! if it explained everything in the first book, terry brooks wouldn't have sold a single book. This is one of those "read 'em again and again and still realize something u missed on the 9th time thru. i have a 1st ed. book, and i read this book faster than i read any other book. get it. read it. again. and again. grow old and read it to yur kids. its that kinda book.
Rating:
Summary: Same storyline, same great results
Review: This is another of Terry Brook's famous Shannara books. I found this book to contain the same basic premise as all the others: a mission or threat to be dealt with, a small group of defined characters to embark on the journey, action and adventure along the way, introspective self doubt of those who wield magic, the always present Druid, and the evil villains. Basically, it is the same story as the earlier books, just recycled with some different concepts. Yet, I gave this book 3 stars - why? Well, while all of the above is true, it is simply so well done and enjoyable that I can't seem to put the book down, and am now anxiously awaiting the sequel. Terry Brooks is a skilled author who writes stories that come to life and sweep you along. Pure escapism, and while ultimately an empty pleasure, a pleasure nonetheless. One issue is the price of the hardback, I deducted one star for that. I would suggest waiting for the paperback, by then the sequel will be out in hardback and you will only have to by one hardback book instead of two. If you are looking into Terry Brooks and the Shannara fantasy stories for the first time, start with the Sword of Shannara, and work your way into this series from there.
Rating:
Summary: Whats Happened To Terry?????!!!!
Review: Terry Brooks has captivated me through his Shannara series, until now!! The Isle Witch lacks the flow of his former novels. It also seems to have been cut to the point where you read and expext more detail on many things but simply dosen't happen. The charachters are not so memorable as his last books made immortal. Truls Rohk is the only charachter I find interesting, the only "cool" charachter in the book. Terry Brooks didn't take the time to produce a proper novel, or simply is tired of the series and his imagination and patience has all but left. I am most displeased wih Terry's sudden change and lack of forethought to his writing. Terry went from a top writer to a writer simply "pumping out a book". He should be ashamed of this novel, apologize to his fans and strive for the magic he spun from the depths of his imagination that the Shannara series had once been!!!!!!! Shame on you Terry. YOU KNOW BETTER!!!!!!
Rating:
Summary: Another excellent story
Review: I wish I could write like Terry Brooks. This is another excellent story in the Shannara series. The only bad part is waiting for the next book in the series to be printed, but it'll be worth it. If you've read the his previous Shannara stories this one is a must. If you haven't, you need to.
Rating:
Summary: What a great start
Review: This was the first Terry Brooks book I have ever read, and it blew me away. I loved the story all the way through. Now I have to go back and read all the other series he's written previous to this one for history and back ground on the people, such as Walker. By then book two Antrax might be out.
Rating:
Summary: Brookes Stunnes us again
Review: I have read every one of Brookes books through out his oong career as a top-notch fantasy writer. Starting back in the mid-70's with the Sword of Shanara, know with his newest Jerle Shanara! I am only in 8th grade, but I have read quite a bit of Fantasy. Brookes in my opionion is as good as any Fantasy writer of all time. It has more action and a better story Line(Jerle Shanara) then J. R.R. Tolkien. And has a much faster more interesting/fast moving story then the entire Robert Jordan series...even the first three. (out of 9). One thing I love about his writing is he can put as much information and story into 3 of his pages, then another writing can do in 40-50 page! It seemed like some of Robert Jordans books seemed to drag when I compared them to the fast action of Brookes. He is very descriptive and a all-around great writer. The only thing I could say to improve apone is a different type of story. I love Shanara, but after you read the entire series you get the feeling that each book is so simple, that basiclly all it is, is a regular every day fantasy book. Maybe a little unoriganal. But who am I to judge.
|
