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kodermike's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
2.75
I always want to like Brooks' books more than I do. Yet another novel where he tells us far more than he shows us. The polished bits are full on 5 stars, but the rest of the novel drags it down considerably. The story is interesting, the execution is lacking in my opinion. And yet I keep reading them...
agentnk_'s review against another edition
4.0
The first half was a bit boring but the second half was really good. I enjoyed the creativity of all three books in this series.
willowwraithpress's review against another edition
5.0
A re-read (maybe the fifth or sixth) of Ilse Witch, book one of the Voyage of the Jerle Shannara by Terry Brooks
Brief Summary:
As a Wing Rider is doing his daily flights over the Blue Divide, he spots a castaway. Turns out, the castaway was an Elf prince who set out 30 years prior to discover a forgotten magic across the ocean. Blind and mute, the castaway carries a map. When the Druid Walker deciphers the map, he brings together a ragtag team of warriors, magic-users and a young boy with a mysterious past. Using the brand new technology of airships, the group undertakes a long and arduous journey to this long forgotten land. During the journey, the young Bek learns the truth about his ancestry and his undiscovered magic. Chasing them the entire journey is the Ilse Witch, who also has a mysterious past and deep hatred for the Druid. Upon reaching the land that time forgot, the group is attacked by the sentient dweller in the ancient city and become separated.
What works:
Though my first foray into fantasy was Tolkien, Terry Brooks was really the one to fully grab me. I read the original trilogy and the Heritage series in the late 90s, so when this book came out in 2000, I was aching for this series. And it didn't disappoint (and still doesn't). The biggest thing about Mr. Brooks is his attention to detail in crafting a story. While I loved individual books in the aforementioned stories, I really didn't get invested in every single character arc (though after re-reads, I understood them better) until this story. I love every single character POV and care so much about them. This book, this quest, these characters are the exact reason I started forming/writing my own fantasy stories. There is just something so graceful and encouraging in this book/trilogy that I couldn't help myself for wanting to emulate Mr. Brooks.
The one thing that sets this series apart for me is the expansion of the world. In the original trilogy there is only the most basic of hints this world is the future of Earth. A bit more is expanded in the Heritage series (I'm thinking of you Eldwist!), but this series really hits home that this is our future. I love the journey to Castledown - which is obvious it takes place in Asia (hence the name Parkasia). It really adds a layer of setting and place.
Every time I re-read this series, I find a new character to fall in love with, and that is what makes Mr. Brooks fantastic as a writer in these early series. When I first read it as a teenager, obviously Bek and Quentin were my favorites because they were of a same age to me. Then it became Walker. Now it is Rue and Redden, the Rovers. I always loved Rue because she was an awesome character, but now, I can really see the progression of Mr. Brooks as a writer. In the early stories, only Brin and Wren were main female characters, but they were magic users, family members. They were the ones the story happened to. Not Rue. Rue is not the main character, but her story arc is amazing. She relies on her instincts, her abilities, her charm, her wit. She is a perfect character.
I also love the fact that one of the main characters - with that familial connection - is a villain. It is a true flip of the script. The Ilse Witch is great.
While I really like stories with major plots and scheme, my favorite fantasy trope is the quest. I just love having characters go to someplace unknown and just grow from that. The Druid of Shannara is pretty much one of my favorite fantasy books because of Walker's journey to the Eldwist. And this trilogy adds another level to an awesome journey story. I absolutely love the journey itself, but also the stuff that happens on said journey - like the growth of Bek, the mystery of the Ilse Witch, who is the spy, what will happen to the group. It is just an overall amazing first book in this trilogy.
What doesn't work:
While I am a huuuuuuuuuge Terry Brooks fan (I will read the hell out of all his books!), this series starts the formula for all his other books that take place chronologically after this. What I mean is that the same types of characters start to reappear, especially the boy Ohmsford character and the Wishsong. Bek is amazing, but down the road, you see him over and over again, so it really isn't a blight on this book, but it does set the stage.
The other thing I never noticed before I tried to become a writer myself was the repeating Mr. Brooks tends to do sometimes. For example, every time the characters meet to discuss their plans, every single character is named in that meeting. It happens a lot! And after a few times, it gets somewhat trite. This also happens with catching characters up to speed, many times the same history is repeated.
The biggest thing to me is probably the title. I enjoy how the script is flipped with the Ilse Witch, but really, in the scheme of the trilogy (spoiler), she really isn't the major focus until book 2 and especially book 3. While book 2 is aptly named, I think book 3 should have been called Ilse Witch. The reason this bugs me is because the Ilse Witch isn't a major POV character here, and most of the story revolves around the journey from Walker/Bek's POV. I know it is silly, but I think the title doesn't fit the story, but if you couldn't tell, I really love this book so I am somewhat nit-picking here.
Rating:
5 our of 5
Terry Brooks will always be one of my favorite authors and I re-read them quite often to immerse myself in a wonderful story. It is hard for me to rate each book individually because this trilogy is so strong as a whole, there are no let-down books that tend to happen with series. I don't know how anyone who enjoys fantasy could not love this book (trilogy).
Brief Summary:
As a Wing Rider is doing his daily flights over the Blue Divide, he spots a castaway. Turns out, the castaway was an Elf prince who set out 30 years prior to discover a forgotten magic across the ocean. Blind and mute, the castaway carries a map. When the Druid Walker deciphers the map, he brings together a ragtag team of warriors, magic-users and a young boy with a mysterious past. Using the brand new technology of airships, the group undertakes a long and arduous journey to this long forgotten land. During the journey, the young Bek learns the truth about his ancestry and his undiscovered magic. Chasing them the entire journey is the Ilse Witch, who also has a mysterious past and deep hatred for the Druid. Upon reaching the land that time forgot, the group is attacked by the sentient dweller in the ancient city and become separated.
What works:
Though my first foray into fantasy was Tolkien, Terry Brooks was really the one to fully grab me. I read the original trilogy and the Heritage series in the late 90s, so when this book came out in 2000, I was aching for this series. And it didn't disappoint (and still doesn't). The biggest thing about Mr. Brooks is his attention to detail in crafting a story. While I loved individual books in the aforementioned stories, I really didn't get invested in every single character arc (though after re-reads, I understood them better) until this story. I love every single character POV and care so much about them. This book, this quest, these characters are the exact reason I started forming/writing my own fantasy stories. There is just something so graceful and encouraging in this book/trilogy that I couldn't help myself for wanting to emulate Mr. Brooks.
The one thing that sets this series apart for me is the expansion of the world. In the original trilogy there is only the most basic of hints this world is the future of Earth. A bit more is expanded in the Heritage series (I'm thinking of you Eldwist!), but this series really hits home that this is our future. I love the journey to Castledown - which is obvious it takes place in Asia (hence the name Parkasia). It really adds a layer of setting and place.
Every time I re-read this series, I find a new character to fall in love with, and that is what makes Mr. Brooks fantastic as a writer in these early series. When I first read it as a teenager, obviously Bek and Quentin were my favorites because they were of a same age to me. Then it became Walker. Now it is Rue and Redden, the Rovers. I always loved Rue because she was an awesome character, but now, I can really see the progression of Mr. Brooks as a writer. In the early stories, only Brin and Wren were main female characters, but they were magic users, family members. They were the ones the story happened to. Not Rue. Rue is not the main character, but her story arc is amazing. She relies on her instincts, her abilities, her charm, her wit. She is a perfect character.
I also love the fact that one of the main characters - with that familial connection - is a villain. It is a true flip of the script. The Ilse Witch is great.
While I really like stories with major plots and scheme, my favorite fantasy trope is the quest. I just love having characters go to someplace unknown and just grow from that. The Druid of Shannara is pretty much one of my favorite fantasy books because of Walker's journey to the Eldwist. And this trilogy adds another level to an awesome journey story. I absolutely love the journey itself, but also the stuff that happens on said journey - like the growth of Bek, the mystery of the Ilse Witch, who is the spy, what will happen to the group. It is just an overall amazing first book in this trilogy.
What doesn't work:
While I am a huuuuuuuuuge Terry Brooks fan (I will read the hell out of all his books!), this series starts the formula for all his other books that take place chronologically after this. What I mean is that the same types of characters start to reappear, especially the boy Ohmsford character and the Wishsong. Bek is amazing, but down the road, you see him over and over again, so it really isn't a blight on this book, but it does set the stage.
The other thing I never noticed before I tried to become a writer myself was the repeating Mr. Brooks tends to do sometimes. For example, every time the characters meet to discuss their plans, every single character is named in that meeting. It happens a lot! And after a few times, it gets somewhat trite. This also happens with catching characters up to speed, many times the same history is repeated.
The biggest thing to me is probably the title. I enjoy how the script is flipped with the Ilse Witch, but really, in the scheme of the trilogy (spoiler), she really isn't the major focus until book 2 and especially book 3. While book 2 is aptly named, I think book 3 should have been called Ilse Witch. The reason this bugs me is because the Ilse Witch isn't a major POV character here, and most of the story revolves around the journey from Walker/Bek's POV. I know it is silly, but I think the title doesn't fit the story, but if you couldn't tell, I really love this book so I am somewhat nit-picking here.
Rating:
5 our of 5
Terry Brooks will always be one of my favorite authors and I re-read them quite often to immerse myself in a wonderful story. It is hard for me to rate each book individually because this trilogy is so strong as a whole, there are no let-down books that tend to happen with series. I don't know how anyone who enjoys fantasy could not love this book (trilogy).
anthoneater's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
mrninjaviking's review
2.0
I was not getting anything out of this. It was taking too long to get to anything exciting, and it wasn't due to character building. So just past halfway through, I have quit reading it and won't go back (and won't be reading the two follow-ups either). I will give Brooks credit for some of his writing. His descriptions are very good, thorough, filled with great details. But his story and characters are far behind.
vtrumpredd's review against another edition
adventurous
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
lazylys's review against another edition
1.0
Brooks inizia la sua avventura da scrittore copiando platealmente Tolkien e finisce con il copiare se stesso.
Questa trilogia è di quanto peggio da lui scritto che io abbia letto finora.
Tutto si ripete uguale alle prime saghe, stessi nomi, stessi personaggi, stessi trucchi narrativi. In tre libri non c'è nulla di veramente originale e che faccia risvegliare, seppure per un solo attimo, l'attenzione.
Questa trilogia è di quanto peggio da lui scritto che io abbia letto finora.
Tutto si ripete uguale alle prime saghe, stessi nomi, stessi personaggi, stessi trucchi narrativi. In tre libri non c'è nulla di veramente originale e che faccia risvegliare, seppure per un solo attimo, l'attenzione.
hannas_heas47's review against another edition
3.0
I was handed this series by a friend and told to try it out. It seems we don't have the same taste in books. I read the whole book but it moved so slowly in my head and glacial pace by the end. I borrowed that from another reviewer...lol. It's very much a journey, and the Druid Walker selects a group of people very carefully to make this long journey from which no one has come back from. Ever. I will finish the series because I like to broaden my reading and a friend asked me but if it were up to me at this point....and this just was not your genre...I'd quit. I'm adult and there is nothing in the adult sense to hold my attention other than a few killings here or there. It's a boring journey and at times even the characters are bored. We even feared the isle witch but what we found out there, doesn't scare me no more. In fact I predict by the end of the series, she will die, or be reunited with her brother.
hawt's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Any enjoyable read. I’ve been going back through all of the Shannara books and unfortunately they aren’t holding g up as well as they did when I was waiting years between releases.
The plots are becoming repetitive and recycled. The airships are fun and now that I knowthe world is post-Apocalyptic and ties in Word & Void it makes for a different view when reading through. Still enjoyable but not the best.
The plots are becoming repetitive and recycled. The airships are fun and now that I know