[b:Antrax|92846|Antrax (Voyage of the Jerle Shannara, #2)|Terry Brooks|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1388210781l/92846._SY75_.jpg|2990120] is the 20th book chronologically in the Shannara series. 4 stars.

This is the 2nd book in the Voyage of the Jerle Shannara trilogy and it propels the plot nicely setting up an epic ending to the story in [b:Morgawr|15559|Morgawr (The Voyage of the Jerle Shannara, #3)|Terry Brooks|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1341521219l/15559._SY75_.jpg|2419073]. [b:Antrax|92846|Antrax (Voyage of the Jerle Shannara, #2)|Terry Brooks|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1388210781l/92846._SY75_.jpg|2990120] as a story is perhaps the height of the overall struggle in the series of technology vs. magic and man.

A basic plot summary is: Antrax is an artificially intelligent being which has a singular purpose of self-preservation. It is a ward and protector of vast databases of history and knowledge it has held for 2,500 years since during (or perhaps even before) the events in the first chronological novel in the series, [b:Armageddon's Children|15549|Armageddon's Children (Genesis of Shannara, #1)|Terry Brooks|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1388198012l/15549._SY75_.jpg|1112930]. Antrax is running out of power, though, so it lured the characters from the Four Lands to steal away and siphon their magic to feed its never ending need of existence. Led by the druid, Walker, the characters have a goal of obtaining the knowledge that Antrax holds, and taking it back with them to the Four Lands, but Antrax fights them with everything it has. Daring escapes, fighting, personal loss and heroism abounds while the characters discover the secrets of Castledown where Antrax is housed, and secrets about themselves.

I didn't give it 5 stars because some parts of the plot felt a bit disjointed, but [b:Antrax|92846|Antrax (Voyage of the Jerle Shannara, #2)|Terry Brooks|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1388210781l/92846._SY75_.jpg|2990120] is an entertaining story and is a pretty big turning point for the rest of the series.

On to [b:Morgawr|15559|Morgawr (The Voyage of the Jerle Shannara, #3)|Terry Brooks|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1341521219l/15559._SY75_.jpg|2419073] [bc:Morgawr|15559|Morgawr (The Voyage of the Jerle Shannara, #3)|Terry Brooks|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1341521219l/15559._SY75_.jpg|2419073]next in my re-read of this series. I have a goal in mind to keep reading the series now until I reach the end, [b:The Last Druid|51576107|The Last Druid (The Fall of Shannara, #4)|Terry Brooks|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1569601263l/51576107._SY75_.jpg|72241301]. I'm anxious to find out how [a:Terry Brooks|9629|Terry Brooks|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1280785812p2/9629.jpg] wraps up this series.

Listened to the abridged audiobook read by Charles Keating. Antrax (the computer) was super cool and I love how this book integrates the technologies of the past into the Shannara world.

another thrilling book by this tried and true author

I liked it better than the first in the series (Ilse Witch) ... the plot lines were more consistent with what I'd expected of the characters, and the story itself read more like a single volume than like part 2 of a 3-part series (except for the very end, of course: something has to lead into the final part).

There were definitely some surprises, both things that happened and things that didn't happen. Looking forward to reading the final book.

Cucù da Castledown

Gira e rigira, Brooks va a sbattere sulle medesime dinamiche e gli stessi oggetti con cui abbiamo avuto il piacere di confrontarci per otto volumi (più un prequel).
Eccetto tutte le banalità del caso, una menzione speciale va fatta per Antrax, imperscrutabile intelligenza artificiale delle Grandi Guerre, nonché freddo accumulatore di dati con il pericoloso compito di proteggerli e ripreparare il mondo all'avvento della tecnologia.
Un ottimo antagonista che avrebbe meritato una scrittura più matura.
Lettura gradevole, ma con il rischio di annoiarsi per lo schema pedissequo della quest riproposto in ogni romanzo.

Idk, I thought it was pretty great! I like these characters and its less formulaic than previous Shannara books. Excited to round out the trilogy.

Antrax was much better than Isle Witch. While it still has the problems of a middle book, it leaves the reader with a sense that something was accomplished--oddly enough the very thing I felt was lacking in Isle Witch.

For Brooks fans who have struggled through Isle Witch Antrax is a breath of fresh air in this trilogy. The action is much better, though still not on par with his other, earlier novels, but the phrasing and vocabulary still seem out of place for his usual writing style.

The characters--namely Bek, Ahren, and Quentin--really evolve in this novel. Without revealing anything: difficult choices are made, maturity is revealed, and some hard realities are faced.

The story itself is a great combination of fantasy and science-fiction. It has enough twists to keep you guessing (though some were pretty easy to guess) and enough mystery to make you want to buy Morgawr (book three).

Why you should pick it up: You've read Isle Witch, it's a good sequel, strong action, good character development, interesting story elements.

Why you should leave it: Not his best writing, not his best storyline, some pretty cheesy characters/"dramatic scenes", the ending points in a very obvious direction (I hope I have to eat my words after reading Morgawr, but at the rate this trilogy is going I doubt that I will).