Unlike a number of other reviewers, I enjoyed this series specifically because it was *different* from the others, while still having all the appropriate ties to the Shannara past. I had a difficult time putting the books down, and read them through one after another.

Yes, I do think that Mr. Brooks should consider using his elven hunters in ways other than as the proverbial "red shirts" from Star Trek. But, I also understand why he does it. If the story is going to be real-seeming, people are going to die. If the main characters are going to survive (and not all do), then you have to be willing to allow minor characters to die. And, LOTS of people die in this series.

The one thing that bothers me about all his books...characters spend DAYS tied up, catatonic, or imprisoned, and they never have to relieve themselves. While I don't care to hear the details, it bothers me that they need food and water, but never get away for even a minute for "necessity's" sake. For some reason, it takes away from the story's believability for me.

Overall, though, I thought the plot interesting, the characters enjoyable, and the action fast-paced. I really enjoyed the books.

This was a good ending to the series. But since ive read all brook's former books its was pretty obvious what was going to happen. Quenitn finding his sword the way he did was rediculous.

As always, when it comes to a fantasy series - Terry Brooks is the master.

The Isle Witch has discovered the truth about herself, and seeks to make amends for herself by helping those she once considered enemies escape from the land of Antrax. But her ex-ally and mentor the Morgawr has other plans for his protégé and the crew of the Jerle Shannara.

This final book of the "Voyage of the Jerle Shannara" trilogy is not to be missed, but is all conclusion and would not be enjoyable if you have not first read the first two installments: "Ilse Witch," and "Antrax."

If you are not familiar with Terry Brooks, or have not read any of his "Shannara" novels this trilogy would be an excellent place to start, and may want to stop reading this review now. If you are familiar with the Shannara series you may want to read the notes I have added below.

This series features the return of Walker Boh, who I consider to be Brooks' greatest characters and one of the top characters of this genre. We find Walker right where we left him at the end of the "Heritage" series. Battling with his own internal conflicts regarding his new mantle as Druid, and trying hard not to become the deceiver he always considered Allanon to be. His thought processes and conflicts are always very real, no matter how fantastic the setting of the story might be.
The antagonist of the trilogy is the Ilse Witch, whose true identity can be guessed almost immediately by those familiar with the `Shannara' novels. Like Walker, she is extremely well rounded as a character. Her anger, irritations and emotions are so real that I constantly found myself remembering my own sister as a teenager ( In my mind's eye they have the same face). She is the perfect rival for Walker and their relationship, while all original and all Brooks, has just a hint of Star Wars in it (Master vs. Apprentice (or in this case would-be apprentice)).
These two characters and their struggles, as well as the descriptions of the airships and some of the supporting characters make this book highly readable and enjoyable.

However, for Brooks fans there are a couple of downers, namely; Quentin Leah and Bek Rowe (Ohmsford) .
Quentin Leah's character was a great disappointment to me. His ancestor Morgan Leah was my favorite character from the "Heritage" series and like Walker was one of the characters who truly grew and changed throughout the series. He was an amazing well written and real character (particularly for a novel of this genre). Quentin, however, is not. He begins the trilogy just as Morgan did, brash and confident and ends the trilogy the exact same way. It's as if he experiences nothing throughout the whole journey. He is similar in this way to Menion and Rone Leah (of `Sword of S.' and `Wishsong of S.'), but they were supporting characters, one dimensional by nature, and didn't take up as many pages as Quentin does. Brooks would have been better off mixing Quentin with one of the other supporting characters to make a more dynamic character, or simply leaving him out altogether.
Bek Rowe (Ohmsford) is another character we have seen before. His character is part Par and part Jair (which might be overly critical of me to mention as he is their ancestor and part each by default). His personal conflict revolves around his identity, or lack of, as he was orphaned at a young age. His lineage is fairly obvious to anyone who is familiar with `Shannara,' and I felt the tension building as he came closer to discovering the truth, but when the truth is revealed the tension just fizzles. After pages and pages of `Who am I really?" Bek accepts the amazing truth rather casually. "Oh, really I am a member of that famous family, and have all sorts of magic abilities I didn't know about. No kidding."
The reality is that it wouldn't matter how well Brooks had written Quentin and Bek, they would still be been there, read that. I enjoy all of his books and think he is a tremendous writer, but every Shannara novel at some point involves tracking down an Ohmsford, and usually a Leah. The Leah is always reckless and brash and the Ohmsford is always reserved and not too sure. They are also nearly always hunting or fishing (or about to go hunting or fishing) in the highlands of Leah. Brooks could have quite easily made them two soldiers in the Freeborn Army (who we know Morgan fought with for a time) or made them tavern keepers in Varfleet (Par's father-in-law, Padishar, owned a bar there). It seems that despite all the adventures their families have been involved in that they always end up right back there in the middle of no where. Maybe we'll meet them there again. I hope so.

Morgawr begins with Sen Dunsiden witnessing the terrible power of the Morgawr himself. We jump to a world away as the last remnents of the Jerle Shannara, try to repair the ship so they can make their way towards home. But there is a new snag, the Morgawr is in Parkasia, looking for not only Walker Boh, but also Grianne Ohmsford the Ilse Witch.

But Grianne is not herself. Because of the power of the Sword of Shannara, she is now locked inside herself. The truth of who and what she has become to devestating she has shut down. Her only hope is Bek, her brother. But can he convince everyone else that she deserves a second chance.

So, the Voyage trilogy comes to a close, as the crew an party make their way home, haunted by the Morgawr. And one woman may find the strength to forgive herself, even if she can never recieve redemption from the ones she has hurt.