I have had my eye on this book for some time now. This great title had me instantly attracted to it, so when I finally did get a copy, I desperately wanted to read it. Unfortunately I had to really restrain myself from diving into it, due to my really busy work schedule. This book has taken four years to write, so I knew that it was worth savouring but I hope I don't have to wait quite so long for the next one.
I immediately noticed that this debut fantasy novel has no vampires or demons ripping out limbs. Equally there are no angels or zombies prowling within and around the storyline. Now some people may say that the lack of such characters could make the story rather dull . . . but they would be wrong. This book does maintain a really dark, Gothic feel to it that runs throughout the story, which I really loved. It's an atmospheric mystery that tells the truth about friendship - it's a book that can't be put down until the very last page is turned.
This book has a great setting and a very original plot, with some exceedingly nasty characters to follow. Silas Dane, my favourite character, really develops the 'fear factor' within the book and certainly makes the 'fearometer' jump exceedingly high at times - leaving the reader cowering behind their sofa. His taste for revenge drives him to seek an end to his immortality. On his journey he takes no prisoners and has no qualms in killing people that get in his way - making for some great reading, which is not for the young or weak of heart! This man is a killer and make no mistakes about that....
The book follows Kate into the world of the 'Skilled'; a rare group of people who are able to see through the veil between the living and the dead. The High Council are seeking out the Skilled and using them to experiment on - to see if they have the powers to walk the fine line between life and death in the veil. Silas Dane is the High Council's most feared man; he recognises Kate as one of the Skilled and their paths cross with brutal consequences. . . . e
The knowledge that Kate needs lies within Wintercraft – a book thought to be hidden deep beneath the graveyard city of Fume. But the Night of Souls, when the veil between life and death is at its thinnest, is just days away and the High Council have their own sinister plans for Kate and Wintercraft...
The ending comes to a quick climax, but with a range of unexpected twists and turns, that bring the complex characters and the storyline together in a magical way. It finishes with a great number of possibilities for maybe the next book. This makes the wait particularly exciting to see what may happen next, if anything! Book published by Headline 13 May 2010 - not long now! | 
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