The Fourth Marla Mason book isn't up to the standards of the others.

Where there others are involved with particularly outre supernatural or sorcerous goings on, this novel introduce's Marla's brother.

And, as it turns out, he is a grifter who is basically unaware of the sorcerous world that she inhabits. Like his sister, he isn't above some kicking and killing - or shooting and stabbing as the case may be.

Marla is also trying to break in a new apprentice at the same time.

Time for some sibling home truths.

http://notfreesf.blogspot.com/2009/10... ( )

I read this book immediately after Dead Reign, and unlike most sequels, this was a new story, with the same characters. When Marla's older con-artist brother rolls into town, he brings Marla into his world of conning rich gentlemen out of their hard earned money, but Marla isn't convinced that he is entirely on the up and up. Add a new apprentice who can read oracles, and chaos rules. This book wasn't as good as the last one. I think the plot was a bit sillier, felt less real. But, the end was heart breaking. I so totally did not see that coming. It takes the world of Marla Mason into darker areas where previous books were lighter. One of the best part of book is homage to other stories including The Once and Future King. T.A. Pratt also even manages to make fun of this current obsession with vampires. This series is highly recommended if you are looking for something lighter than the Dresdan Files by Jim Butcher, but not so annoying as all the chick lit vampire stories that are currently so popular. ( )

http://mentatjack.com/2008/12/23/revi... ( )