The Final Descent

May 1, 2014

Gr 9 Up-In the final book (after Isle of Blood) in Yancey's acclaimed gothic horror series, Will Henry, now 16, confronts his personal demons and waning sanity while rebelling against his strict master, Dr. Warthrop. Soon Warthrop questions Will's loyalties and the two become involved in a dangerous scheme with a most gruesome monster. Fans of the series may be surprised by the decidedly more dark and tragic tone of Will's story, but the ending is satisfying and realistic. The prose is well crafted, but unfortunately, the jumps forward and back in time can be difficult to follow. Luckily the narration, performed by Steven Boyer, is rather helpful in navigating these complications. Boyer deftly personifies Will and clearly transitions from character to character throughout the various settings and times. The audio highlights the poetic elements of Yancey's writing and is highly recommended for readers who may have struggled with comprehending the challenging text. Teens who enjoy some philosophical musing with their horror will devour this like one of Dr. Warthrop's hungry creatures.-Nicole Lee Martin, Grafton-Midview Public Library, Grafton, OH

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