I personally don't think the wood is magic, just that being organic its a good container for souls.  However, I think its a mistake to equate that the library soul, and the soul of the Predator are the same thing.  Books, as described contain pieces of soul, ending up with a conglomerate soul, of sorts.  The soul of the Predator, is an entirely new soul, and it isn't just the wood, but it's crystals are part of it.

Hence, why Folly was only able to hear the Predator once it had a new set of crystals installed.

Quantus, you assume that the 7/8 miles starts from the surface.  However, in my reading it was from their current altitude.  Not sure which of us is correct, but it's something to consider.

I pretty much liked everything, except a few things:

I really didn't like that Bridget's second kidnapping happened without a fuss.  I'd like to have seen something of a fight.  It just felt so very unsatisfying.

We know Etherealists progressively grow more mad as they work with the powers.  However, in the context of the book, the characters seem to remain at a static level of madness.

I somewhat feel this gives the Etherealists a bit too much power & wouldn't have minded that grand displays of power would be followed by either a temporary increase in madness, or some other drawback.

I mean, I don't see anything from stopping Lady Cavendish from pointing at every one of her enemies & getting people to claw their eyes out, just like Oprah handed out cars.

Gaunlet's overheat, but what stops an Ethrealist from just going overboard?  We really were never shown.


Those are my two major issues.  One I hope sees some self correction as the series goes on, the other is just a minor quibble.

I think there's a line or two, that suggests that Bridget's family is new to meat production, but that doesn't necessarily mean a new vat.

I agree.  I'm glad I got it, and it well compliments the text.  The voice acting is perfect, and appropriately British.

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8 copies of the book are to be given away, figured it might interest some here.

So hey, got an advanced reader copy of CS: TAW at SDCC, and I've recently finished it (and mostly gotten over my post-flight migraines).  So I figured I'd give you guys something of a review, sans significant details.  (I'll at least try to talk in the general, but you should be warned that I can't promise that I won't let something slip.  You have been warned.)

First off, the book starts off a tad slow, but starts to get you hooked about 4 chapters in.  The problem is, this being a new series, it takes time for you to feel any emotional interest in what happens at first.  Plus, this book doesn't jump you straight into the action, and begins a tad on the mundane side.  Personally, I think the book might have benefited from picking another perspective as a starting point.


Still if you stick around long enough, the tedium quickly evaporates & you'll be committed to the long term.

Speaking of which, the general flow of the book is great.  While the book is presented from a multi narrative perspective, you aren't left hanging waiting for each story to resolve.  The narratives really flow well into each other, and there isn't a sense of individual story behind each chapter.  (Oh, and it isn't in a journal style, so that helps.)

I won't say that I'm nearly invested into this series, as I am the Dresden Files, but I liked it significantly more than the Codex Alera books.  I can't say that there isn't any minor quibbles or complaints I might have, but generally nothing worth mention.

The book did a fairly decent job of presenting a interesting new world & a story to go along with it.  If you are willing to give it a chance, I think you'll be pleased with your reading.

Kevin