Coming in at 1600 pages, this was a doozy of a book, no, it's not an omnibus, it's ONE book... heck it's longer than a lot of omnibuses, yet once again it didn't feel like I was reading a mammoth of a book, it felt that all too soon I came to the end. That is what Andy's magical ability is, besides the incredible journey he takes one on, the length of his books lose meaning because the length of the book feels just right! But why, oh why does Mr Peloquin put me through so much trauma???? From the first few chapters I was chanting "No! No! You can't die!" I had a knot in my stomach for much of the book, clenched and unclencing, releasing breaths I had gulped in. Exciting? Absofreekinglootly! (Not a word, but it should be!)
The Hunter, one of my all time favourite characters, once again has the unenviable task of uncovering mysteries, nefarious plots, the people or institution behind them and he's as astounded as I am as the pieces are laid out. So many twists capture ones imagination, which wants to veer off in one direction and they author firmly tugs one into another.
The way the author wraps his words so elegantly, so incredibly evocative, blows the imagination completely, drawing one in not to read the book, but rather to experience the book in every possible way. So great to have Aisha and Kodyn play such a pivotal role in this book, absolutely amazing characters, both of them. And Tarek, well he's just stunning! The one who has steadily grown throughout is Kaira, the most beautiful character anyone could come up with, she's the epitome of a genuine, loving person, her love and compassion know no bounds and I love how she keeps the Hunter on his toes!
I'm loving the "new" Hunter, the one who doesn't shy away from his emotions. Over the course of the series, his vulnerable is exposed, layer upon layer as he discovers or perhaps the right word would be, recovers his memory. He's allowed his facade to crumble bit by bit in the face of friends. Yes, really, the Hunter has true friends, he's not all hard, ruthless and uncaring as he led so many to believe. There IS a heart beating in that tough body. The lengths he will go to protect those he cares for. He was a tortured soul and although not quite tortured anymore, so much rests on his shoulders. He's collecting friends, people he cares for and who care for him, a concept that was so foreign before. Well maybe care for him is not completely accurate but respect sure is, and boy has he earned it!
My heart was galloping like a wild horse thundering away from danger, the intense action, the horrifying events, the pounding of my heart in my eardrums, heck, my entire head was pounding in time to this runaway horse's hooves, my eyes as wide as saucers, showing the same fear and horror as the characters. But this is all offset by the incredibly beautiful moments, the tenderness, the joy that these characters undergo, to make this a truly wonderous experience. Extremely highly recommended!
