Rating: 
Summary: I'm glad the story continued....
Review: I really enjoyed the first book in this series, and I think that Jeff Grubb is an amazing writer and truly should have been given the whole series to write but gave the new author a chance. She blew it completely within the first ten pages. I enjoyed the plot and characters but the writing itself was absolutely atrocious. It got me lost and confused that I finally gave up trying to understand her style and just focused on the basic progression of the story. Like I said, I'm glad the story continued, but could we get a better author for this one...
Rating: 
Summary: Different Tempo Different Meaning
Review: I've read the M:tG books from Brothers War to Apocalypse and my mind always drifts back to Planeswalker. The main body of the book hits upon the madness or maybe mania of Urza Planeswalker that isn't encountered again until Planeshift and Apocalypse in the Invasion Cycle. This is also the only book in the series I re-read, simply because there is so much in it. Many of the other books simply making passing glances at Urza as a character and develope him as a character through over obvious and heavy handed statements where Planeswalker does it with a style that could have made this book 1000 pages with little difference. Most of the other books in the line also focus on bloody combat or dashing verbal reparte which simply isn't present or needed in this one. If you were bored with Prophecy, Invasion, Planeshift, Mercadian Masques and parts of the Brother's War, you'll enjoy this.
Rating:
Summary: Different Tempo Different Meaning
Review: I've read the M:tG books from Brothers War to Apocalypse and my mind always drifts back to Planeswalker. The main body of the book hits upon the madness or maybe mania of Urza Planeswalker that isn't encountered again until Planeshift and Apocalypse in the Invasion Cycle. This is also the only book in the series I re-read, simply because there is so much in it. Many of the other books simply making passing glances at Urza as a character and develope him as a character through over obvious and heavy handed statements where Planeswalker does it with a style that could have made this book 1000 pages with little difference. Most of the other books in the line also focus on bloody combat or dashing verbal reparte which simply isn't present or needed in this one. If you were bored with Prophecy, Invasion, Planeshift, Mercadian Masques and parts of the Brother's War, you'll enjoy this.
Rating: 
Summary: Horrid
Review: It wasn't the story so much that bothered me as it was the author's ability to tell it. Descriptions were nice, the plot was good (enough, at least) and the characters were engaging. However (isn't there always one of these), the story seems like it was dropped into a blender and left for ten minutes on frappe. The parts are mixed and matched, and, at one point a character being dead was all that told me WHEN what was happening occurred, it is a pain to tell where you are in the story. If you want to do the pomo ideal and chop your story into pieces, fine. However, tell us which goes where sometime before we get halfway through the chapter. Otherwise, it makes me want to hurl the book across the room. This is the hardest Magic novel to finish with the exception of Dark Victory (which I didn't even make it through). Not worth the time. Don't buy it, don't rent it. If you own it, burn it.
Harkius
Rating: 
Summary: An involving and original story, one of the best I've read.
Review: Let it be said, first and foremost, that I don't like Magic; The Gathering. So, as to why I picked up a book about it is beyond me, but as it turns out I've very, very glad I did. Ms. Abbey has created in these pages a wonderful and moving story about love, deception, betrayal, and, most of all, patience. Patience with those you love and care about, and patience to achieve your goals. The main character, Xantcha, is perhaps one of the most endearing and human characters I've ever read in a book, which is odd because she's not really human. Actually, she really isn't a "she" at all, she's a sexless newt from the M;TG version of mechanical hell, Phyrexia. Which, oddly enough, makes her seem all the more real, since her feelings are the most human of anyone in the entire story. It's rare to find a book told from the point of view of a sidekick, and that is essentialy what Xantcha is. She follows Urza, an almost Godlike Planeswalker, though the many planes of the universe, aiding the Planeswalker in maintaining his ever-more-fragile grip on reality. While Urza is the focus of most of the action, it is though Xantcha's eyes that we see his exploits, both good and bad. Those looking for a basic swords/magic/elves/dwarves/etc. fantasy should steer well clear of this book. It has it's own take on everything, and it's greatly varied from your basic fantasy reading, almost dipping into the realms of Sci-Fi at times. It has a well done dual-storyline going throughout the book, with the past and present flip-flopping, which has the result of making many of the aspects of the book a mystery. It's worth reading simply to figure out how Xantcha can manage to yawn forth a floating sphere, and why she has her Phyrexian "heart" tucked into her boot for a good deal of the book. All these things are explained in detail, but not until they've been around for a bit. This creates a sense of surprise that assures the book stays fresh to the last page. A satisfying, mind-expanding book. Highly Reccomended.
Rating:
Summary: the story gets better
Review: Ok if you read the brother's war than you will love this book. this story takes u to uzar's madness will entertain your mind with the history of Pherian. and if u thought u knew where they came from think again. over all the book will please many readers.
Rating:
Summary: Stats
Review: Readability:3/7 storyline:3/5 Enjoyment:4/9 BUY it, or hope that the library has it: IF you're a MTG fan, Buy it, else library
Rating: 
Summary: Urza's Saga story line told
Review: The book is well written, though a bit long-winding at times. It tells the story line behind the (largest part of) MTG Urza's Saga expansion set. The author describes the events through the eyes of a 3th person (Xantcha), so there are still some open questions. "The Brothers War" was slightly better written and that book is interesting for any fantasy-fan. It is a must for Mtg-fans, especially if you like the Artifact-cycle. It tells the story of a lot of the best-known important Magic-figures and places (Urza, Serra, Phyrexia). Also a large part of the new figures introduced in the Artifact-cycle are explained. More so because of the interesting development towards the end of the book. For not Magic-players it is a somewhat too long winding tale on the destruction and regeneration of Urza's mind. Read "The Brothers war" first!
Rating:
Summary: Very good book
Review: The book Planeswalker: Artifacts Cycle - Book II written by Lynn Abbey was very well written. Its main purpose being to give story into the background of the Magic: the Gathering CCG (Collectable Card Game) allows many characters and events from the game to be mentioned. It follows Urza, an extremely powerful Planeswalker who wants revenge on Phyrexia. The book's predecessor The Brothers War: Artifacts Cycle - Book I tells of a great war between Urza and his brother, Mishra starting over two powerstones created by the Phyrexians. Mishra, deeply corrupted by the demons and mechanical creations of Phyrexia, was killed by Urza. Urza now seeks revenge on Phyrexia for what they have taken away from him. He managed to banish the Phyrexians from his home world, Dominaria. In doing so, his eyes were replaced with the powerstones, the Mightstone and the Meekstone. Urza is now an immortal, nearly omnipotent being. With this power, though, comes madness. Urza obsesses with destroying Phyrexia and its inhabitants. Xantcha is a Phyrexian created "newt," her only purpose being to head to another plane and help towards conquering it. She, however, when assaulted by the demon, Gix, creates a part of herself that is not entirely loyal to Phyrexia. At a time when the Phyrexians are about to destroy her for her disloyalty, Urza comes and saves her, thinking that mayhap she still had a soul. Urza takes Xantcha with him across planes for three main reasons: to study her, to watch her, and to have someone to keep him from completely losing himself in madness. She decides, at on point to attempt to keep Urza off the brink of madness through longing and regret over his brother. She heads to a near town and finds a youth that resembles the dead Mishra in appearance as well as attitude. Together, the two allow Urza to get a better grip of himself. The three must then work, using artifice to stunt the Phyrexian invasion of Dominaria. This book involves many planes (worlds) from the M:tG CCG including Dominaria, Phyrexia, and Serra's Realm. These places may sound odd to most people but anyone who knows the game would recognize the places easily. This is a good and well-written book. It is a story of magical fantasy and revenge. This book, as previously mentioned, was written mainly for the audience of Magic CCG players. However, the larger audience of those that enjoy fantasy books would also enjoy this.
Rating: 
Summary: The war is over, but the battle has just begun.
Review: The Brothers' War crushed continents, boiled oceans, and destroyed the lives of millions of people. That was only the beginning. The demons and inner circle of priests who corrupted the Brotherhood of Gix live on, serving the unseen lord cocooned at the center of Phyrexia. Their mission to control the brothers Urza and Mishra failed, but their appetite for conquest remains. And from the aftermath of the largest battle in Dominarian history emerges a single man-a man changed to the core of his being. Harboring a deep guilt for the monsters he let loose on his homeland and the destruction he provoked, this legendary figure is haunted by the ghosts of those who once were and of those he knows will come again. The man is Urza, and he has become a planeswalker. Able to move easily from one world to the next, he wanders the planes seeking to destroy the foul evil that corrupted his land and sundered his sanity. If you are a fan of Magic: The Gathering or have read The Brothers' War you will love Planeswalker. Lynn Abbey gets into the deepest, darkest corners of Urza's mind and reveals the madness and horror that lurks within. Urza, together with an unlikely ally, takes on the greatest evil to ever exist in the world of Magic. Lynn's portrayal of this horrific and mind blowing tale is truly stunning. You don't want to miss this one. Look for Time Streams by J. Robert King and Bloodlines by Loren Coleman, the third and fourth books in the Artifacts Cycle coming soon. Jess Lebow-Magic Line Editor
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