Much in the same slightly irreverent tone as the rest of the series. I think this was supposed to be the more somber volume, but despite killing off hordes of people it doesn't feel like it. It's quite the discrpency between how Kel felt the first time somebody died in his presence to now, when by the end of the book there are literally piles of bodies and he doesn't care.

In general I dislike the habit of authors who discard companions after a couple of books - I know in real life we don't always stay connected to everybody we'd want to, but hat's all the more reason for our books to remain. However thta's not to be. At one point it looks like Kel has found 'home' the Ebon Monastery is real, and does turn out to populated by those living with the shadowblack. But far from seeking a cure they embrace it's powers to do as much as they can before being overwhelmed. Kel still can't avoid his family though, and is made an offer very difficult to refuse - looked at in the right light all his actions have been beneficial to the JanTep and so he could be welcomed home.....

Didn't expect the very last of the ending though, which will add a new dimension to the next book. ( )

My (38 yo) husband and I (too old to mention) have been listening to these audiobooks and have thus far been in agreement with our assessments and ratings and if you knew us, you'd know how incredibly rare that is. SO, I won't separate who said what in this review due to the fact that we both felt the same way and honestly... the undertone wasn't new here therefore, if you've read/listened to any of the previous books in the series, you'll already have the main gist of things. If you haven't read/listened to the prior books in this series then you will be lost in the proverbial sauce so my two cents suggest that you should first head on over to book#1 (Spellslinger).

Now, in this addition to the series we were introduced to a slew of new characters... all were grey and multifaceted and most were duplicitous but for their own reasons which made them even more intriguing. This installment was likeable enough... especially for the new characters alone. THOUGH Kellen had very little to no character growth... his squirrel-cat, on the otherhand, had a little bit more personal development BUT when a (charming) ferral creature has more personal growth than the main (human) character = no bueno. It feels lazy and I was bored... a lot. I was hoping Kellen would learn to be more than a scared, apt to bolt at any sign of trouble, 1 trick pony but alas, it was not meant to be. However, there were some (PG) twisty, nail-biting bits... "Is he/isn't he dead?" "Are they/are they not on Kellen's side?" "Where is Ferius?" "Is she even alive?" etc...

So be aware... as the series meanders along, the books are getting more dark and dire for our reluctant hero and company.

Overall:
The writing has been consistent throughout the series. The new characters are (almost) always fleshed out well and morally ambivalent the way I like them. Our MC has had zero character growth so far throughout his journey although his business partner/ squirrel-cat did have some quasi-evolution this time around so there's that at least.
Onto the Awesomeness and MVP of the whole series... it's the audiobook's narrator of course... he is totally carrying this series!! If it weren't for him and his impressive vocal dexterity, I'd have thrown in the towel halfway through the last book. BUT he's here and therefore so are we. I'm not quite sure where this series is heading but I'm pretty sure it isn't in a PG direction SO I can no longer reccomend it for all ages. BUT my husband and I are invested enough to see what happens next so make of that what you will.

~ Enjoy ( )

I am really enjoying this series on audiobook and this was no exception. There are no dull bits as Kellen lurches from one dangerous situation to the next. I also like that de Castell is not afraid to give him emotions of fear and grief and to cry. The audiobook reader really brings it to life. ( )

I can't tell whether I'm totally hooked on the series because of all the cool things that have been discovered and/or learned through the course of them or whether this particular book shone, all on its own, a bit brighter than all but the first.

But enjoy it, I did. A lot. I'm loving the whole jack-of-all-trades vibe taking on masters of single schools of magic. :) Trickster? Yep. Highly observational? Yep.

In the heart of a land of Shadowblack monks hiding from the rest of the world and STILL getting into trouble for all the best of reasons? Yep.

With some really dark moments? That, too.

I'm telling you, fantasy novels like this, ones that are ostensibly YA but really rich in the KINDS of magic and fully developed rules for it, are still reliant on great characters and shining dialogue. Fortunately, this has it in spades. :) ( )