Winterveil

May 1, 2013
In this trilogy conclusion, the veil between life and death is so weak ghosts walk the streets, and only the heroes can stop it from falling away completely. Starting after the end of Blackwatch (2012), this installment begins with amnesiac Kate Winters under Dalliah Grey's mind control and believing that they are student and teacher. Dalliah treats her more like a quasi-prisoner, so it's no surprise that all it takes is a glimpse at Silas (and the tug of their connection) to shatter the ruse. Silas and tag-along Edgar then spend the story separated from Kate, simultaneously trying to find a way to stop Dalliah's plans, preparing the citizens of Fume for a worst-case scenario in which Dalliah's plans work and bracing for an imminent invasion by the Continent's army. Meanwhile Kate, though free of Dalliah's mind control, still obeys her, as Dalliah is too strong for Kate to fight, and she aids in Dalliah's quest to destroy three critical spirit wheels to remove the veil. The protagonists find it exceptionally easy to convince others to follow commands, as plot requirements too-obviously dictate character actions. The plot moves at a good clip and explores the horrors of past experiments with the veils, but the sacrifice of character to its advancement represents a fatal flaw. Readers passionate about the series might like it, but those on the fence about continuing should pass. (Fantasy. 10-15)

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