By Sandy Amazeen May 21, 2007, 3:43 GMT
The story of neomage Thorn St. Croix fighting for a place for herself in the post apocalyptic town of Mineral City picks up shortly after the events of Bloodring revealed her true nature to a fearful community. Thorn is brought before a conclave of city leaders on charges that could well lead to her death and it is at her trial that the root of humanity’s hatred of neomages is explained. What troubles Thorn more then facing her irate, ungrateful neighbors is the unwanted nightly attentions of an incubus slipping past her wards. Shortly after her trial, she is attacked by a daywalker and there are much worse things waiting in the wings. Thorn’s growing abilities and blood along with the bloodline of her ex-husband hold the key to much of the evil now threatening to break free of the underground. It becomes a journey of discovery as Thorn begins looking into the origins of mages and a race against time before she is inevitably drawn back to the horrors that dwell deep within the Trine in a desperate bid to free a trapped seraph and a cherub.
The epic struggle of good and evil takes on a slightly different dimension in this alternate world populated by a litany of supernatural beings, many with a bent towards mindless destruction. Although the action is typically fast, much of it fails to add to the overall storyline, which by the climax is so rapid-fire it takes on a chaotic feel. Still, this features a strong heroine and further character development of her sidekicks and the creatures they face making for an entertaining read. Thorn’s fate remains very much in question as her growing powers bring her unwanted attention from all seraphs, a plot point that is certain to play a major part in the next series installment.
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