** spoiler alert ** Sniegoski had something of unconventional interest in the first of this four book series and then allowed it to fall into the realm of predictable clichés. The series steadily descends down the ladder of potential greatness and finds itself stuck in a world of pomp and predictability. The one thing he shows consistently is a lack of trust in his characters and a lack of faith in his readers. He misses key opportunities throughout the series to draw the reader into the world and mindset of the protagonist and allow them to relate and feel for the hero and instead chooses to trudge along with the story. As a result, the moments that should have strong emotional weight fall short and leave the reader feeling nothing but tortured or exasperated. The final speech Aaron gives about why he must be the one to face Verchiel alone does not have the intended effect of rallying the reader into a suspenseful flurry about what is to come because the lone hero role is clichéd and hackneyed and Aaron shows no deep reasoning for having arrived at this decision. Thomas Sniegoski is blessed with a wonderfully imaginative premise for a story; if only he were also blessed with the ability and talent to manifest it into the great work of art it could have been.