You know a series is getting a little long in the tooth when it can support a "best of" episode. To me, this books feels like one of those "Different Strokes" season or series finale episodes where you see snippets of all the best moments in the series up to now. Basically, family Gallowglass is on its way to take up residence in a haunted castle that they have been given. Along the way, Fess is cajoled into telling stories about his former (and current) masters... Some we know (Whitey, Dar, Rod) and some we don't. The flashbacks in this one are definitely more interesting than the plot for the book itself...

There wasn't much in the way of banter at all. Which was very disappointing. Although there was reference to Ghostbusters. And the end of the book definitely gave me "Punmeister" Peirs Anthony flashbacks. The conclusion definitely left me empty considering my respect for controlled anger and decisive action being taken with no room for a counter offensive.

I have to admit... the speech from Gwen and the kids is starting to get on my nerves. It wasn't quite as bad here because Rod and Fess can counter balance it, and quite a few of the flashbacks used normal speech. In other books, like "The Warlock is Missing", it was much more difficult to handle.

This book did have some interesting, thought provoking pieces - what it means to be a parent and to guide a child; the differences between science and engineering; dependence in marriage... Not bad in that respect...

Read 7/2007 ( )