false 3 1 false false Tue Nov 10 00:00:00 -0800 2009 Mon Nov 09 21:34:33 -0800 2009 Tue Nov 10 01:45:50 -0800 2009
A friend in need is a friend indeed, and now Seph's gone from a quiet home to sharing with six others. Sometimes more. Witches, wærewolves and vampires don't seem a gratuitous number at first, but as Seph gains more power, she edges closer to Mary Sue territory - and being a "chosen one" of sorts (Lustrata) only confirms that. Beverley is a precocious child, and grandmother Demeter...well, similarities to Janet Evanovich's character Grandma Mazur are inevitable. While Demeter may be here for comic relief and occasional knowledge, I don't quite feel that she's believable or realistic. On the other hand, my grandmothers have a lot more health problems, so I don't really have another elderly female with whom to compare her.

Then there's the sub-plot involving Seph's friends from...high school or college; I don't remember. One of them's found religion, which makes things awkward for everyone else. Actually, this sub-plot doesn't seem to have anything to do with the main plot, and thus could/should have been deleted. Unless Nancy plays a major part in the next book.

The group shares a great rapport, which makes their friendship believable, but my favourite character far and beyond is Amenemhab, a jackal who delivers wisdom during Seph's meditations. The novel is enjoyable enough, but I was never really in a rush to get back to it, though likely the Melbourne heatwave has robbed me of enthusiasm. I'm still interested in reading Hallowed Circle and Fatal Circle, though.]]>