I'm a big fan of this series and was really looking forward to reading this installment. It was a bit different from the first three books, not in a bad way, but it seemed more urban and gritty, which totally worked for it. The characters were harder and their foes were different, but that kept this book interesting. The characters were likeable and the pacing was good. The ending also set the next book up perfectly.

All in all, I enjoyed this book very much and look forward to reading the next one in the series.

5/5 stars.

It was really interesting, throwing in a grittier angle to all the magic. I love the inclusion of magical mutants, though I wouldn't mind more questions answered about them before the book finished. The reader will also have to pay careful attention to pick up on some of the new lingo. Some main things to know: savant/labrat=someone poisoned at Thorn hill, mainline guild=non-poisoned members of the magical guilds, shades=spirit-type things of savants that appear after they die, and appear to want to take over human bodies. Also, savants seem to be able to attain new abilities outside of their normal base powers (sorcerer, enchanter, etc.), though they might complement what was already there. There are a couple different theories on what happened at Thorn Hill, depending on if you're asking wizards or savants. Also, savants appear to have weirstones that are slightly different from those who belong to mainline guilds.

Requested this title by accident back in 2013 and there was no way to cancel before it was approved. I then did mean to read the book but I still haven't read book 1 in this series so think its time to stop pretending to myself.