Wintertide

3.25 out of 5 stars

I had been let down by the prior two installments, but this penultimate volume is certainly a return to form. The story is much tighter, with more characters working together or in interweaving narrative threads, and the overarching plot moves forward in compelling and unexpected ways. I don't have the same level of excitement I did when I started Royce and Hadrian's journey, but I'm still intrigued to see how it all concludes in the final volume.

See this review and others at The Speculative Shelf.

There is always a book in a franchise that feels like its overstuffed. Too much happens too fast because the end in in sight and the is still a lot to cover. Wintertide is a prime example. Michael ties up almost all the lose ends in this one to prepare the ground for the final book “The fellowship of the thieves”:-). But for all the stuffing he is able to round it off pretty well. Merrick is a loose end that disappointed and I hope its not yet his final appearance. The end is in sight and hope its a blast!