SPOILER ALERT:
This is a series I have loved since Book 1, but I struggled a bit with this one. I have always adored Cal's snarky sense of humor, however, the dark edge to the first 3/4's of this book really bothered me. There's a big difference between Snark and just plain Smart-Assed Punk. I really wasn't liking Cal at all, and was very worried about how eagerly he was embracing his Inner Auphe. It wasn't until Niko gave him the ring that I could feel his innate goodness coming to the fore again.

I'm guessing this was a deliberate choice by Rob Thurman, but it made it very hard for me to love the story. I didn't truly feel happy until after the worst was over (for now), and Cal & Niko were joking together in their usual manner.

I could use a bit less of the language Cal used this time, too. I'm used to a certain amount of swearing from him, and I'm fine with that, but in this book, it seemed particularly nasty and overdone. I hope that was deliberate, as well, perhaps to bring home the point that Evil Cal had the upper hand for a good portion of the book.

I do love all the possibilities that lie ahead, and am looking forward to following Cal's journey to the end. I just don't want to find myself disliking him again.

Bookin' It