Transcendent

October 15, 2014
An action-packed conclusion to the Starling trilogy.Mason Starling is struggling to keep her recently created alternate self-a Valkyrie of Norse myth-in check (Descendent, 2013). If she doesn't, she'll fulfill a prophecy that'll bring about the end of the world. This transformation turns Mason into a powerful, terrifying force who's at least the equal of her supernaturally gifted boyfriend, the Fennrys Wolf. But even Fenn can't avoid death after being stabbed, and Mason makes a deal with Rafe-the Egyptian god of death, Anubis-to save Fenn's life by transforming him into a werewolf. Having Anubis turn himself and his followers into wolves and not jackals is not the only disappointingly convenient tweaking of the rules-both of the book's world and of mythology in general. Even if it gives the good guys an edge, this plot-driven license feels at least partly like cheating. As Mason and her fellows attempt to thwart the apocalypse, readers may be distracted by the gratingly contrived slang used by the teenage characters and a narration that sometimes feels it's drowning in metaphor and simile. At least Mason and Fenn's romance finally feels valid, as they've now had enough time and shared experiences to be in love. Fans may come away with questions but should be satisfied on the whole. (Paranormal romance. 14-18)

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November 1, 2014

Gr 8 Up-Picking up where Descendant (HarperCollins, 2013) left off, this final book of the trilogy finds Mason Starling struggling with the knowledge that she is now a Valkyrie whose fate is to bring about an end to the mortal world. Her lover, Fennrys, has been stabbed with a trident by the son of Neptune. Mason is not about to lose her humanity or the young man she loves. After saving Fennrys, she vows to escape the destiny of the Valkyrie by refusing to choose the third son of Odin. But in the end, can she resist? With nonstop action and mythology galore, fans of the series will cheer as Mason becomes all she was meant to be. Intense pacing and romance but little sex or swearing makes this an ideal series choice for young teens with high reading levels.-Kathy Kirchoefer, Henderson County Public Library, NC

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