Generations after his victory over the Shadowen, the `Dark Uncle' Walker Boh has still failed to establish a new order of Druid scholars and peace keepers. His suggestions and efforts have been met by all nations of the Four Lands with distrust. He is on the verge of giving up when fate throws him an opportunity, in the form of a castaway. A broken and presumed dead prince, bearing a map to an unknown countinent across the sea. A map which promises treasure in the form of "old world" magic. Walker is the only man who can undertake such a quest, and as such finds himself with the bargaining power to see all his goals fulfilled.
But the Ilse Witch, a girl who Walker once sought to make his apprentice, has learned of the map and treasure as well. She has already put her own plans into motion to make the treasure her own, and destroy Walker in the process.

This book and trilogy are exciting and entertaining. The ever changing world of the Four Lands is as amazing and fantastic as ever. Brooks' ability to create well rounded four dimensional characters with personal conflicts that people can relate to is something that is sorely lacking other fantasy/science fiction novels.
If you are new to Terry Brooks, or new to the `Shannara' novels I would recommend this book (and trilogy) as an excellent place to start. If you are familiar with the Shannara novels you might want to check out my full review of the trilogy under "Morgawr (Voyage of the Jerle Shannara Book 3)."

Reading a Shannara series book is like going back to meet an old friend. You will have an enjoyable time rehashing old stories, reacquainting each other on family and friends with no surprises or expectations of being surprised. But this doesn't have to be a bad thing.

"The Ilse Witch" is like meeting an old friend. Brooks has steadily decreased his series ambition from the original Shannara series and the Heritage Series, which were outstanding reads in the field of heroic fantasy. Unfortunately he seems to mail it in for the Shannara voyage series and a constant reader will be able to guess future plot events pages before they occur.

A castaway is rescued in the blue divide by wing rider Hunter Predd and turns out to be one of the two sons of the ruling Queen Elessedil (at the time)who spearheaded a voyage into the divide to locate a potentially new form of magic that could aid the Westland/elvish nation in their new struggle against the Federation which is again making territorial moves against Callahorn and the Freeborn. Ominously, the castaway is found with his eyes and tongue removed and in possession of a map that can lead adventurers to the place of the magic.

Druid Walker Boh gets involved and recruits the customary characters of a dwarf, a few elves, rovers, some humans who may or may not be members of the Ohmsford Family (0f Shannara fame) as well as a shapeshifter, fortune teller/empath and a few surprises kept under wraps through Druid Magic. Instead of walking, these adventurers fly to their fates through an airship that uses ambient light as a means of fuel.

There are bad guys as well, a warlock named the Morgawr and a beautiful and thoroughly nasty young woman known as the Ilse Witch who possesses the wishsong (Ohmsford anyone?) and harbors a grudge against Walker Boh because she believes he killed her parents and brother. She wants the magic as well although her primary goal is getting Walker Boh's head on a stick.

The Ilse Witch is a thoroughly formulaic novel but Brooks is an entertaining writer and makes this interesting. Just because you can guess what is going to happen doesn't mean that you can't enjoy how Brooks leads us there. If you are a Shannara fan you will enjoy this book despite it's lack of surprises.

Excellent book. Great, heartpouding action, and as always, leaves you waiting for the next book to be written.