ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.
There is one over-arching concept at play in this installment of the Steel & Stone series: control. Who has it, how one handles it, and the consequences of losing it (whatever “it” may mean in context). Piper’s new-found abilities being the most obvious example here, but the author keeps the scope grand; there are revelations that show the loss of control that the consuls are experiencing, that the Gaians never had but thought they did, and that daemons themselves are losing in their home worlds.
The setting is fraught with tension. It is discovered that there are spies within the consulate, and Piper’s father is still keeping her in the dark about everything, even though she arguably has more experience with daemons and the issues at hand than even him. There is distrust from her haemon peers, who perceive her absences and familiarity with daemons as suspicious and accuse her of being a sympathizer. Finally, Piper’s actions in the previous book, Yeild the Night establish early in this follow up that her protection is gone–her decisions to use her enhanced magic affect her physically, and no one is with her to fight her battles for her. Everything here is about living with the consequences of one’s actions.
Piper, as ever, is a compelling heroine, and I never find myself bored with her. Her companions are back and the roles we have been familiar with are shaken up a bit. Lyre and Seiya are traumatized from their capture by the Ras, and Ash is more distant than ever before. Lyre, in particular show’s more depth than he has in previous installments and my attachment to him grew more from it.
The author, Annette Marie, is consistent in her writing, and continues to publish an entertaining and fascinating story. Most multi-installment series bore me with the middle books and these never have. That being said, I can’t wait for the last book. Not because I’m anxious to see the end of Piper’s story, but because I’m anxious to see what else we will get from this author.
Tarafina Trashes Tales 