Rating: 
Summary: Great 2nd Book of Trilogy
Review: This Trilogy is probably the best Terry Brooks installments. Story line is great, only drawback... you wish the third is available now!!
Rating: 
Summary: Better than the first, but let's see how he ends it
Review: Antrax is the typically brisk read that Brooks usually provides. There's nothing extremely deep in his books, but they usually make very good light adventure reading. This one certainly adds to that reputation.The first book in this series, The Ilse Witch, suffered from a very disjointed narrative that had no pacing whatsoever. It covered months and months of time, started out very slowly, then raced past the acquisition of the keys until it skidded to a halt with a cliff-hanger ending. Antrax, on the other hand, only covers a week or so and is all the better for it. Brooks limits himself to five groups of people for point of view, which makes the book seem a lot more tight and contained. I still have a little trouble with some of his pacing, and the order in which he presents certain scenes (he has a scene with the elven prince and the seer right before a scene with Walker; the first scene totally ruins the twist at the end of the Walker scene). Overall, though, it felt a lot better to read. The main problem with the book is that, for a long period of time, nothing seems to happen. Brooks has his characters constantly thinking about the situation they're in, sometimes using quite a few pages for their thoughts before they actually do something. There's nothing inherently wrong with that, but it gets very repetitious when the same characters are doing that, mulling over thoughts that they've already had and the reader has already read. As for the plot of the book, it is getting quite good. Shannara has always lent itself to the technology vs magic plot idea, given how many references have been made to "the old time" in the previous series. I've always wondered what happened back then, and was hoping to find that out. It's a bit disappointing not to, but that wouldn't be fair to the book, criticizing it for something I'd like to see, rather than criticizing it for what it contains. There are still enough fascinating hints about the past to intrigue the reader. When the characters stop thinking for a few moments, there is plenty of action. I could have done without all of the descriptions of druid fire blowing everything up and creepers falling to pieces (the description got very repetitious), but the rest of the action is produced very nicely by Brooks. I've never had a problem with his writing in this aspect, which may be why all of his previous Shannara books have had wars in the background. He writes action a lot better than he writes moving character scenes. Finally, I have to give Brooks credit for the ending, compared to the Ilse Witch. I'm still a bit annoyed that these books are ending in cliffhangers for the next books, but that's mostly because Brooks' earlier Shannara series never really did that before. However, there is no comparison between the ending of Ilse Witch and Antrax. The Ilse Witch raced to its conclusion and then came to a crashing halt. Antrax's ending felt very appropriate. The story eased its way up to it, and settled. I didn't feel like I'd run into a brick wall. I appreciated that. Unless you're a big Brooks fan, I don't know if I can recommend that you buy this series. However, it is certainly worth a read.
Rating:
Summary: Unrelenting action makes Antrax a success
Review: The first volume of this series left readers wanting more. This is meant in both the positve and negative sense. A lot of unanswered questions were left at the end of the first volume which amounts to a good level of suspense. But other elements like character development and action pacing are lost to the extreme exposition required to set up the trilogy Terry Brooks has in mind. However, everything that seemed to be missing from the first is present and utterly accounted for in volume 2, the somewhat unfortunately titled, "Antrax." Everything set up in "Ilse Witch" is brought to fruition to the point where it seems there won't be anything left to be answered in the sequel. (Not to fear, Brooks leaves a cruel cliffhanger which will make you want to fast forward to next fall.) This book is quick, too. With all the action flying by in a trim 375 pages and occurring over a span of about 10 or 12 days, you hardly get a chance to catch your breath. Brooks has another trilogy in mind already set to release over the next four years and you even get a possible glimpse into what it may encompass in this volume. Brooks knows the niche he's created for himself and he feeds his rabid fans excellently and this book is no exception.
Rating:
Summary: More like 4 1/2 stars...
Review: I can't think of too many people that were more thrilled than I at the thought of a new Shannara series...and when 'Ilse Witch' came out, I was in Fantasy Heaven. It was everything I could have wanted in a visit to the Four Lands. Brooks (for MY money, anyway) started off this series with an absolutely fantastic 1st novel. I truly loved 'Ilse Witch' very much...however, pulling off a sequel that lives up to the original is difficult at best, and although 'Antrax' IS a great addition to the Shannara world, I felt it was slightly under the thrills and high adventure set forth in book #1. Maybe it has something to do with the amazing anticipation that had built up over the course of a years time waiting...all I know is I enjoyed it VERY much, but slightly less than 'Ilse Witch'. Now that isn't to say that it isn't a great tale well told...not at all. On the contrary, 'Antrax' is filled with
everything that makes adventure fantasy worth reading. Many have faulted Brooks with adding a slightly Sci Fi feel to this story, but I personally found it interesting, creative and fun.
After all, this is HIS story to tell, so I say let Terry write whatever he wishes. 'Antrax' is a semi-sentient computer left over from 'The Old World' before whatever cataclysmic events occurred to alter the world into what we have come to know as the Land of Shannara. This computer was given a directive by its creators to preserve *something* at ALL costs until their return. Well its been several thousand years, and the creators aren't likely to make an appearance anytime soon. Antrax has determined that although it can theoretically live forever, its power source cannot, and before long, it will be on the verge of shut down. It has hatched a scheme worthy of any devious mind, and is now using the Voyagers from both Black Moclips and the Jerle Shannara in ways they couldn't possibly understand in order to achieve its goals. Several characters make interesting discoveries in this 2nd novel...most of which are about themselves. Some reviewers have also faulted Brooks for ending this story just as the *real* action was just beginning instead of finishing up the story. But like ANY good series, this one hooks you into thirsting for the final volume coming in November of 2002. Will I buy it? You BET!! I have invested plenty into the world of Shannara and have been nothing but satisfied. One reviewer actually likened this story to 'The Empire Strikes Back' and that is actually a good description. It gives us a full story at the same time creating a cliff-hanger for us ensuring our desire for another trip to the Four Lands. I am anxious to discover how Bek comes into his own and learns how to finally convince his sister of his true origins and how he will manage to convert The Ilse Witch to his side, and what exactly is being guarded by Antrax underneath the grounds of Castledown...all of these questions have been set up with perfection by an author who in the world of Fantasy is 2nd to none. 'Antrax' IS a great story, and chances are if you love Shannara books, you will love this one, too. Kudos to Terry Brooks amazingly creative mind.
Rating:
Summary: Good, but not great
Review: I would agree with the reviewer who called this book "The Empire Strikes Back" of this series. It was definately the darkest of the Shannara novels, more so than "The Druid of Shannara." I thought "Ilse Witch" was great, but this book dragged on a bit too much for me, and the ending was a let-down; however, I am looking forward to the final book. It looks as if some of the ideas I've had about the "Great War" and the "Old World" since the "Sword of Shannara" may turn out to be on the mark. I would say that after this book, Mr. Brooks should turn his considerable talents to new worlds and ideas. Shannara may be reaching its limits.
Rating:
Summary: Standard Great Stuff
Review: Once again Mr. Brooks delivers a strong tale and of course in his normal style left you hanging for more. The thing that I will give celebration to on Anthrax, is that this story moves (action) a lot more than other Shannara tales. We have new characters and a new place to develop new adventures around. Good job Terry. Waiting for the sequel.
Rating:
Summary: Compelling
Review: Terry Brooks really knows how to create exciting magical characters. In his newest Shannara series Brooks has created
one of the most intriguing yet: the Isle Witch weilder of the powerful wishsong. With this and other unique characters Brooks has created another impressive edition to his series. This book has it all-exciting action sequences, cool new magics and new twists on old( Bek vs. Grianne). Great story as well.
Buy it!
Rating:
Summary: Excellent Book
Review: This was an excellent book, one of the best from Terry Brooks. However, the excitement of the book trails a bit at the end and I'm not nearly as excited for the next book as I was for this one. Hopefully the third will be just as good
Rating:
Summary: Only one Problem
Review: The only problem with Terry Brook's latest hit - the next book in the series isn't available. I haven't read a Brooks book in some time, and well - it was refreshing to see that he continues to turn out wonderful works.
Rating:
Summary: Geat book
Review: i felt this book kept the shannara world going. it was well written with vivid descriptions.
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