Lark Ascending

August 15, 2014
Fans of the Skylark trilogy will welcome the third and final installment of the series. Gone are any remnants of Lark Ainsley's struggle to come to grips with her power. Here, as the title suggests, she is truly Lark ascendant-confident, powerful and ready to lead her people through the coming revolution. But she's not the only one. Eve the Renewable, freed from the architects' cage and alight with magic, is equally prepared for battle. But whose side is she on? With a familiar cast of well-rounded and compelling supporting characters, Lark is given room to shine as a reluctant leader who has fully come in to her own. The connection shared by Lark and Eve is both one of the best and one of the most frustrating parts of the novel. Readers will undoubtedly be intrigued by the suggestion that these powerful women are two sides of the same coin. The glimpses of their shared memories and telepathic link add depth and suspense. Unfortunately, the ties that bind them are revealed grindingly slowly, particularly given their importance to the story. And again, the overcomplicated history of this dystopian world may leave readers scratching their heads. That said, this is a mighty strong finish to the trilogy, and there is plenty to keep readers turning the pages. (Dystopian adventure. 14 & up)

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