We know more about the Weird, more about elves and fairies, more about the pre-Convergence world. We get some neat insight into Connor by way of meeting his brother (!) and learning about his family. We get a lot about druidism in this universe, which, for a magic junkie like me, was awesome.

What we don't get is any sort of progress at all about Connor's magical ability. He seems very resigned to it now, and while that's good it doesn't do much to add tension to the book. He can't spend all his time going on about what he's lost and how he wants to kill Bergin Vize, but I'd like to see him trying more things. Especially with Leo having this new and strange aura and abilities, it would seem that Connor would be giving a bit more thought to his own issues. I don't want him to get his powers back with a snap of his fingers or anything, but I do want him to try, to struggle, to do anything. Saluting the sun is great, but it isn't enough. Give me something.

There was a really cool little moment when Joe tells Connor that he knew Carda (the troll woman) back before the Convergence and that she "used to eat baby rabbits like popcorn." Joe said it with affection, and it was treated as a normal thing, which, I guess, it was. Connor acknowledged this same thing. I like this about del Franco's books--he accepts things.

A weird thing that struck me was that at the end of the battle Connor left with Meryl, and they left Leo lying there unconscious. That's out of character for Connor and I have to wonder if it was some sort of editing mistake where del Franco and his editors just forgot to mention "and after they settled Leo comfortably in the ambulance and bought him a lollipop and a romance novel..." because it's totally weird.

Meryl Dian is just cool. Seriously. And the Marchgrafin Eorla Kruge is badass. More, please. ( )

he story begins with the seemingly unrelated murders of a high ranking elf and human street kid, with the Guild investigating the elf murder & Connor & Murdock the human. Guild politics, animosity between the fey & elves, and a powerful new drug circulating in Boston complicate things. As with the first book, this reads somwhat like 1950s detective story, which I enjoy. We meet Connor's wayward brother, there's a blossoming romance, and some more interaction b/w Connor and his former Guild buddies - all of which gives us a more personal look at our "hero." While his brain mass remains a mystery and he still bemoans his abrupt change in circumstance, Connor definitely grows as an individual and begins to accept his new reality, and even perhaps recognize it's not entirely a curse. I really like Connor and find these books a refreshing change in a sometimes stale genre. The detective story is compelling, the post-Convergence world and it's problems believable, and for the most part the novels flows well. ( )

Interesting character growth and the complexity of the world grows, too. ( )

Still not in love with these but willing to keep going. I enjoy a lot about them, just not completely invested yet. ( )

I loved it. At one point I even thought the author would kill one of my favourite characters. The only thing I didn't like is Connor's "Once I belonged here...", but it got resolved by the end of the book. ( )