by Terry Brooks

Book Three of The Voyage of the Jerle Shannara
1. Ilse Witch
2. Antrax
3. Morgawr

Who would have thought that the Ilse Witch would turn out this way? And what of her childhood protector?

Our band of adventurers are scattered far and wide across the wild land of Parkasia, and dozens of airships are pursuing them - thinking to gain the elusive power known to be in this land. Only, this power is completely unattainable. The Rover airship is disabled - landed in a dense forest, and its power supply is lost in the hunting grounds of a huge, fierce beast. Since the death of Antrax, the controlled climate of Parkasia has begun changing for the worse. Prince Ahren is captive on an enemy airship, Bek Ohmsford, Grianne, and the mysterious Truls Rok are trying to elude bands of Mwellrets, and Quentin Leah has endured such hardships that he is no longer the same Highlander as before. He must protect the surviving Rindge of Parkasia and help them escape the relentless hunters pursuing them - even it is at the cost of his own life.

Somehow, all must re-unite, repair their grounded airship, and leave the rapidly-changing land of Parkasia before their enemies realize they are gone. And somehow, Grianne must wake from her sleep-walking state… but will she be able to return in time to help defend her new-found friends? And what is up with this new, unlikely romance?!

Terry Brooks grinds out a thrilling finale to his trilogy, The Voyage of the Jerle Shannara. I was pleased to see that he has embraced the darker side of fantasy and is not afraid to describe the gruesome details inherent to such stories. As such, I think this trilogy certainly stands up to its predecessors and has carved its own place in my memory. That’s always a good thing.