The Rise and Fall of Antocracy

*****EXCELLENT

Birdgenaw's complex and nuanced second installment in The Antunite Chronicles is an exhilarating adventure that spans scientific evolution, geopolitics, and climate change.

It took centuries for the planet of Poo-Ponic to become livable and rich in natural resources. But when a malevolent villain Antilla takes over, the democracy fails, and the once lush planet begins to turn into a barren wasteland. It's up to Anthiery and his mate Antianna to stand against the corrupt ruler and save the planet.

In The Rise and Fall of Antocracy, Birdgenaw skillfully draws the reader into the story that has echoes in our own world. His richly imagined landscape is filled with ants and other insects, who are intelligent enough to build universities and cyborgs but are naïve enough to let tyranny take over. He portrays the insects as protagonists and uses them as caricatures to help highlight our own troubled socio-political situation.

The narrative is smooth, with small and large surprises leading to a satisfying final reveal which answers enough questions while leaving plenty to make readers eager for the next installment. Themes of autonomy, freedom, tyranny, and personal choice are woven nicely into the affecting narrative as Birdgenaw raises questions about democracy, free will, and climate control. The book is as much an entertaining dystopian tale as it is an elegant social commentary -- BookView Review.

The second installment in The Antunite Chronicles takes readers back to the fascinating world of giant cyborg insectoids. The Rise and Fall of Antocracy takes speculative fiction to a new level, bringing something fresh and new to the genre. The trilogy also serves as an allegory for modern times, showing what can happen when democracy fails.

The insects have created a centralized government to rule their lush planet where plants and insects are thriving. Led by the ants, the government is failing, and the planet is on the brink of a catastrophic war. What was once a world rich in natural resources is rapidly becoming a barren wasteland. Fighting to preserve the planet's diverse population is Anthiery and his mate Antianna. The two ants are up against the planet's corrupt and ruthless ruler, who is determined to cement his autocratic rule.

Thankfully, the two ants are not alone in their effort to save their planet. The Rise and Fall of Antocracy introduces readers to some unexpected new heroes. Gretant and Thunbug experience the effects of the planet's devastation, but they also have hope for their future. The Rise and Fall of Antocracy shows how a ruthless ruler can put a planet in danger. Damage to the environment at the hands of the government has disastrous consequences that affect everyone.

While the trilogy focuses on a planet inhabited by giant insects, the story has several parallels to our current world. Author Terry Birdgenaw has created a compelling story that not only keeps readers engaged but also forces them to think about how we are treating our planet. The Rise and Fall of Antocracy will also leave readers anxiously awaiting the final installment in the series -- Entrada Book Review.