It is fullwinter in the weald and Eli, Micah and Thrace have found shelter in Eli's den. But the keld mistress has sent the winter caller on Micah's trail, and neither snow nor ice will stop him. Will the three of them make it out alive?

This is the second volume in the Wyrmeweald trilogy, and while we continue to follow Eli, Micah and Thrace's stories, we are also introduced to new characters, which have an impact on all their lives. Apart from increasing the tension by setting the winter caller on a relentless pursuit, Paul Stewart also introduces further layers in addition to the theme of colonisation and hunting/exploitation that appeared in the first volume (religious fanaticism and drug consumption, for example) and makes some characters morally more ambiguous. As with Returner's Wealth, the occasional passage containing descriptive violence and sexual references makes the book not suitable for younger readers.

Again, the story is enhanced by Chris Riddell's distinctive and atmospheric black-and-white illustrations at the beginning of each chapter.

I'm looking forward to find out how the story concludes. ( )