New York Times bestselling author and the master of epic fantasyTerry Brooks returns to the fantasy that launched his career -- thefantasy that remains closest to his heart, and to the hearts ofmillions of fans around the world. More than twenty years have passed sinceBrooks set the new standard for the genre with his astonishing firstnovel, The Sword of Shannara, the now-classic commencement of acenturies-spanning epic of good and evil. Now Brooks embarks on whatpromises to be his masterpiece -- Ilse Witch: Book One of TheVoyage of the Jerle Shannara.

When the mutilated body of a half-drowned elf is found floating in theseas of the Blue Divide, an old mystery resurfaces. Thirty years ago,the elven prince Kael Elessedil -- brother to the current king -- ledan expedition in search of a legendary magic said to be more ancient, morepowerful, than any in the world. Of all those who set out on thatill-fated voyage, not one ever returned....

Until now. For the rescued elf carries a map covered with mysterioussymbols only one man has the skill to decipher. That man is Walker Boh,the last of the Druids. But someone else understands the map'ssignificance, someone dark and ruthless: the Ilse Witch, a beautifulbut twisted young woman who wields a magic as potent as his own. She willstop at nothing to possess the map -- and the magic it leads to. Tostop her, Walker must find the magic first.