THE
VOYAGE OF THE JERLE SHANNARA is the latest in the popular Shannara
series by Terry Brooks. I had never read any of the Shannara books,
but Brooks gives enough background information throughout the story
to make it accessible to a newcomer to the series --- and doubtless
there are characters and clues to later action that longtime fans
will recognize as well. With JERLE SHANNARA, Brooks launches a new
trilogy.The
book opens with an Elven Wing Rider, Hunter Predd, finding a
half-drowned castaway clinging to a piece of wood in the middle of
an ocean. The man has no eyes or tongue, but he carries a bracelet
bearing the royal crest and a scrap of a map written in an old
language and leading to a treasure. Hunter brings the man to the
nearest town with a healer. Hunter is then sent to the king,
Allardon Elessedil, to tell him that a man --- who may be his
brother Kael --- has been found 30 years after setting off across
the Blue Divide.Allardon sends Hunter to Walker Boh, the last remaining Druid,
because Walker is the only person who can decipher the map. Walker
and Allardon are old enemies, but Walker agrees to help. Walker
learns that the map points the way to an unknown and powerful
magic, which could unite all the people of the Four Lands. However,
he has a nemesis, the powerful Ilse Witch, who he knows will try to
beat him to the treasure and wouldn't mind killing him in the
process.The
king is killed in an assassination attempt just as he is meeting
with Walker. As he lays dying, he dictates the decree giving money
and resources to Walker for his mission.Walker proceeds to assemble his force. Among them are two young
men, a fragile seer, an Elven prince, a thing named Truhls Rok, and
a crew of Rovers to fly an airship. The trials that await them when
they finally take off across the Blue Divide, and the truths that
are revealed, make up the rest of the book.Brooks uses many of the characters and structures of classical
mythology to tell his tale, so it will feel somewhat familiar to
the reader, while the fantastic events and adventures will keep you
turning the pages. Most of all, I enjoyed the many complex
personalities and relationships that drive the story. THE VOYAGE OF
THE JERLE SHANNARA ends with a cliffhanger --- readers won't be
able to wait for the next chapter in the series.