Ilse Witch

This article is about the fantasy book. For information about the fictional character see Grianne Ohmsford.

Ilse Witch is the first book in Terry Brooks' The Voyage of the Jerle Shannara fantasy trilogy. It was first published in 2000.

Plot summary

It has been 130 years since the events of the Heritage of Shannara series, and the Free-born and the Federation are still at war. The story follows a quest organized by Walker Boh, the last surviving Druid. Thirty years ago, the Elven prince Kael Elessedil led an expedition in search of a legendary magic which was said to be the most ancient and powerful in the world.

Thirty years later, Kael is found floating in the sea of the Blue Divide; a map is found with him, covered with mysterious symbols. Walker is the only man who can read them.

But there is another: the Ilse Witch, a beautiful but twisted young woman who is as practiced in magic as Walker himself. She will stop at nothing to possess the map and the magic it leads to. To stop her, Walker must find the magic first.

Thus begins the voyage of the sleek, swift airship, the Jerle Shannara. The company chosen by Walker must fly into the face of unknown terrors while the Ilse Witch and her dark allies pursue.

This book marked a new era in the Shannara saga, for it was the first time that Brooks described the use of futuristic technology, including airships as well as robots and lasers from the Old World.

Main characters

• Bek Ohmsford
• Ilse Witch (Grianne Ohmsford)
• Quentin Leah
• Walker Boh
• Ahren Elessedil
• Panax
• Cree Bega
• Ryer Ord Star
• Morgawr
• Redden Alt Mer
• Rue Meridian
• Hunter Predd
• Truls Rohk

External links

• Del Rey Online | The Voyage of the Jerle Shannara: Ilse Witch by Terry Brooks – official webpage for mass market paperback edition.