The Voyage of the Jerle Shannara Trilogy [Kindle Edition]

This particular trilogy is yet another Must-Have in the world of High Fantasy written by easily one of the greatest Fantasy Authors to ever put pen to paper (or finger to keyboard...). For the very first time, flying ships are introduced into the world of Shannara, creating a HUGE new opportunity to explore unknown regions.

In Ilse Witch, we begin with the introduction of some new characters, and one in particular held over from the Heritage series, namely Walker Boh, the latest in a long string of Druids. Character development has always (in my mind at least) been one of Brooks' strongest talents, and is in fine form throughout this series. We discover the Ilse Witch, and to a lesser extent the Morgawr who seems to be the one pulling all the strings here -- but that comes into play more in the 3rd book. The journey, or Voyage in this case, begins rather quickly, and while some have said that this series begins slowly, I say otherwise. I believe the action and sheer adventure starts rather quickly. A large group is assembled to charter a ship to fly across the sea to an area that nobody knows anything about...and as usual, secrets are being kept from almost everyone by Walker (amongst others)...what nobody really understands is what they will find once they get to where they are going. This journey is fraught with danger from virtually the beginning, and yet Brooks provides us with some of the most creative scenes yet in this wonderful world he has imagined.

Antrax picks up where Ilse Witch left off and is in many ways a rather HUGE departure from what you have come to expect from all previous Shannara novels...the reason why is because where the Voyage takes our band of adventurers ends up in a place that seems to be beyond everybody's understanding and includes technology never before seen by anyone in all the Four Lands...technology once thought to have been lost thousands of years ago...technology that also seems to be alive in some form, and yet advanced beyond anything anyone has ever dreamed of. In short, things are WAY different here -- and yet just as satisfying as anything written before by Brooks.

Morgawr is simply put a fantastic ending to this amazing series. The opening chapter is darker than anything previously written in this world and borders on a horror novel -- and yet I loved it. Tension on top of adventure on top of action is ratcheted up a few levels as we discover more as the revelation of who the Ilse Witch is comes to light and takes center stage. Obviously the Morgawr is also featured and after having finished the book I couldn't tell you exactly WHAT the Morgawr is...but who cares? It's relationship with the Ilse Witch becomes a focal point as well as the future of the Druids comes into doubt as well. The Elven Prince comes into his own by the end of Morgawr, too which I found to be quite satisfying.

While the loose ends are tied together nicely, the very last chapter certainly lays open room for the next series, and did not make a whole lot of sense to me as I finished the book, but don't worry, pick up The High Druid of Shannara series and all will be well with the world. All in all, while Tolkien is considered the King of Fantasy, and J.K. Rowling has surprassed them all in sheer popularity world-wide, it is still Terry Brooks that brings me back to the world of Fantasy again and again and I credit his original Sword of Shannara with sparking in me the desire to read way back in '78...and for that alone I owe him years and years of thanks. He has yet to let me down with ANY of his works. I doubt he ever will.

What can i Say... i don't own the trilogy so much as i do own the three themselves. As with all of Terry's stories, they start off slow... and with a lot of questions.

As all three stories progress, one into the other, you'll find yourself becoming more immersed, in the form of not waiting for the next bit. for me, i picked up the second and third book right after i had finished and set down the previous.

Walker is on a new mission, and only one mission. Bring back the druid counsel at any and all cost's. On this voyage of sort's... one family is missing, the Ohmsford's, and only Walker has the answer as the Isle Witch and her Master, The Morgawr, seek the death of the last druid.

To Join Walkers party, is a band of Rovers and Elven guard, Quentin Leah and his Cousin Bek Rowe, a Half human-Half shape shifting apparition by the name of Truls Rohk, a Dwarf by the name of Panax and Ahren Elessedil an Elven prince.

Suspense is a key factor to this trilogy as those that grow close to each other end up losing one another and while you're trying to figure one thing out for yourself, something new comes along that replaces that figure.

In the End, Walker is going Across the Blue divide in hopes of Reforming the lost Druid council while Bek's ultimate goal has to do with the one and only feared Isle Witch...

You'll find out what awaits you when your read The Voyage of the Jerle Shannara Trilogy.

While this trilogy at first seems to be something new for Brooks, with no major world-threatening Dark Lord or cataclysm looming, no massive battles between elvish and demon-inspired armies, and a new and world-altering technology in the Four Lands, in the end, we still get the same old Brooks here (which isn't really a bad thing). The characters are exactly the same as in previous books, just with new names (with the exception of the excellent and original Truhls Rohk and Ryer Ord Star). We have the Druid, the highlander, the dwarf, and the reluctant and confused young hero that can't figure out his place. The Druid still finds it necessary to conceal and deceive, and hates himself for it. The heroic brothers (er.. cousins here) promise to take care of each other while you just know something will come between them. And there are plenty of other parallels between this one and past Brooks books. So while this book describes a quest to find some powerful magic from the "Old World", and not a battle with an evil force bent on world domination, the story reads much the same as the previous Shannara works.

The majority of the first book, Ilse Witch, is spent introducing the rather large company that goes on the voyage. In fact, so much time was spent in early character development that most of the book felt slow, while the end felt rushed and ill-timed. After spending close to 300 pages assembling the company and describing the huge adventure to undertake, the actual journey and the excitement therein happens in the blink of an eye. Still, the ending is VERY good, and continues on in the next book. [4-stars]

Antrax is actually one of my very favorite Shannara books of all. With the character introductions, world-building, and plot set-up mostly taken care of in the first book, Brooks is able to jump right into the excitement here. And that excitement is intense and non-stop throughout the book. Perhaps the most action-packed of any Shannara book, this one is tough to put down. The same excellent characters continue to develop here as well. Each of the primary characters go through some intense physical and emotional trials, as they fight to complete their purposes or simply to stay alive. The secrets behind the unique and much-loved Truls Rohk continue to be revealed, as well as those behind Ryer Ord Star and the semi-sentient Antrax. Walker, Bek, Rue, Quentin and the Ilse Witch all approach their destinies, and each of their stories are completely captivating. [5-stars]

Unfortunately, the third and final book in the trilogy, Morgawr, was somewhat of a let-down. After the dramatic and twist-filled ANTRAX, this book just seemed slower and predictable. Nearly everything that happened was fully expected, turning out almost exactly like you just knew it would. Besides that, all of the characters are going through personal crises, where they doubt themselves and beat themselves up mercilessly for past mistakes/regrets. I'm sorry, but reading about all of your favorite characters being depressed just doesn't make for an enjoyable experience. Sadly, this last book in the trilogy was quite a disappointment. [3-stars]

Overall, the trilogy fits in nicely with the rest of the Shannara universe, and shouldn't disappoint fans of Brooks. It also eases you right into the next trilogy, The High Druid of Shannara, which hasn't yet been published in this format. I do recommend getting VotJS in this version. Save yourself some money and some shelf space and have a nice-looking and high-quality book.