by Shanna Lauffey

This episode really kicks the series into gear. Marcus gets a lot of character development and both he and Kallie broaden their travels to places that the author has obviously been to and knows well.

There's a lot of excitement and firepower in this one. I don't want to give spoilers but we get to travel through multiple states and move right into the enemy's den. There's more demonstration of the potential of short term time travel and ways it can be used to get away with all sorts of things.

An amazing adventure in a series that just keeps getting better with every installment!

by Alwyn Hamilton

After reading the first story in this series, I really wanted to continue. The first chapter of this second volume recaps some of what went on in Rebel of the Sands and reminds the reader of the most important characters from that book. Then we're quickly into new adventures.

There is continuity in that the rebellion is still striving to overthrow Ahmed's brother and the beautiful mythology begun in the first book continues and expands, but the action is turned up a notch and some new perspective comes into Amani's adventures. In many ways this story is even better than the first one! It also recaptures the exotic, mock-Arabic atmosphere of the first book and the fascinating variations on Djinni magic are very imaginative.

Amani is put in one situation after another that looks like she may not be able to get out of this time, and some old friends and acquaintances reappear with new significance. The story had me gripped and wanting to just keep reading all the way to the end, apart from one very dramatic scene that was so powerful that I had to put the book down for a few minutes to assimilate the rush of emotion.

The story gave me a real roller coaster of emotions from joy to tragedy. It also had me constantly wondering who could be trusted and who couldn't and was full of surprises!

The end wraps up the current situation, but leaves us in a place where there is definitely more to tell. I often complain about that in first books but I don't mind it so much in a second book because I've committed to the series of my own free will then. The next book is predicted for 2018 and I will have to wait

This series is some of the best Fantasy I've read this century. I can't recommend it highly enough.

by Shanna Lauffey

This is the final episode of a ten volume series. I should say serial because it's continuous and the books are best read in order.

I seldom read a series all the way through, but this one kept my interest and left me feeling very satisfied. Probably the most climactic drama was in episode nine and the series could have stopped there, but having read this one now I have to say, yeah it was needed.

There are some new elements in Kallie's life as well as connections to old ones. Her character development is nicely evolved in this one and all the loose ends of the series are tied up neatly. I was happy to see Marcus back in the picture and I finally understand Connor, who has been a bit of an enigma in recent episodes.

I do wonder about back story on some of the peripheral characters, but that just shows how invested I got into this world. If the author ever writes more stories about these characters like Anne Rice did with some of her vampires, I'll definitely want to read them!

by Katherine Addison

The first chapter was enough to tell me this one is for world building Fantasy fans, the kind who loved Lord of the Rings. We've got elves, political intrigue and an airship crash that results in a new emperor. I can see why reviews on this one are polarized, as it has some hard to pronounce names and other earmarks of old school Fantasy. Personally, I was hooked by the end of that first chapter. Bring on more!

Maia is half-elf half-goblin, a disregarded fourth son relegated to exile after his mother's death. He might have been forgotten forever, but an airship crash that kills his father and brothers leaves him as next in line to the throne. With his mixed blood and lack of training for court life, there is bound to be adjustment issues at the least.

The story is heavy on political intrigue, but very well done. Maia is a very likable character and I enjoyed watching him rise to the situation and find his strengths, overcoming an abusive childhood. I thought he struck a good balance, seeking advice on protocol from those he could trust and recognizing when courtiers were trying to bully or trick him into doing what they wanted.

The aspect of mystery was good too. Several characters are introduced who might have the sort of ambitions that might have resulted in sabotage of the royal entourage's airship. The story kept my attention and had me wondering which of the more slimy characters might have been behind it, or whether there could have been a conspiracy.

Some other likeable characters arise as well, though I found myself wondering who might have hidden motives, even among the apparent 'good guys'.

One thing that surprised me was the spiritual aspect of Maia's goblin heritage. I find it fascinating that stories about goblins that look into their society are increasingly Shamanic or spiritual in some way. It's an interesting trend.

I did find the book hard to put down in the later chapters, falling asleep late at night but determined to finish one more chapter. In the end the mystery was solved and the book came to a tidy end, but I'm hoping there will be more books in this world. Despite stumbling a little over convoluted names, I really enjoyed the read and may even look into some of the author's other books under her other pen name.

by Shanna Lauffey

Have you ever just sat with a finished book in your hand, unable to define the emotions you're feeling but feeling too contemplative to do anything else for a while? Yeah, this one did that. It's been a while since anything else has had that effect on me.

I love that these books are novella length and don't keep me waiting too long to see what happens, but I hate it that they're finished so quickly!

I also love the way this series is developing. Although it's classed as science fiction because it's time travel, the plot has been more like a Mystery and we got some revelations this time. Connections were made for Mason and Julia, plus some new background for Marcus.

Even more fascinating is watching Akalya, aka Kallie, develop. Her experiences over the past few years have had a significant effect on her outlook and I'm seeing the changes in her, but don't want to go into detail because those not as far along in the series will enjoy it more without spoilers.

All I can say is that this is a brilliant series and I'm already gasping for the next episode, although this one finished in a comfortable place. No cliffhangers. I am, however, wondering how a possible new dynamic with Mason might develop and what part Connor, the new character, will play in further episodes. He's a charismatic character and I get the feeling that we've hardly begun to get to know him. I'm also wondering about how his split loyalties will affect his actions.

The one frustrating thing is that we've been given a time loop. I trust that the Physics will be explained eventually, but I'm docking half a star for not giving me resolution this episode!

So lots of questions answered, but new ones presented. It takes a lot of skill to do that in a series. I wonder how much outlining the author does because it all seems to fall into place as if it were planned in advance, yet feels spontaneous while reading. This series makes me feel such a spectrum of emotions that I can't get enough of it. Roll on Episode Five!