This was the best yet of the series, IMO. The world-building is terrific, and the story moves along at a really good pace. The cliffhanger at the end of this one though: ARGH! Really looking forward to the next book! ( )

Moving along from the first four books, Rachel throws in ever more magical beasties, deeper plots and characters.

All good, and now it's time to read the last book in the series, which just happens to be the very shortest by a long way. ( )

Such a fun series. Julius and his clan are suddenly confronted with the Chinese Dragon who decides he's going to conquer Heartstriker. Things go downhill from there. ( )

***SECOND TIME ON 14 NOVEMBER 2019***
I reread this series because the last book came out! And I forgot like half the story. I was a bit hesitant that this time around all the magic theory stuff would bore me. But surprise surprise I still loved it. But I still think some people would be bored.

Also if there was an obvious plot point somewhere I will have missed that. And I really don't care. This series is such a comfort read. Even if almost all the characters have some annoying character traits. To me that makes them even more dear.

Yup, still a 5 star read.

***FIRST REVIEW ON 19 AUGUSTUS 2017***
SO MANY THOUGHTS BUT NO TIME!
Here are some bullet points and maybe in the future (if I will remember but probably not) there will be a more coherent review.

-I love the explanation of how magic works. But will not be for everything.

- not sure if on a reread I would enjoy it so much because of the point above.

- need more ghost-as-a-cat.

- So much sass. I live for it. But it could be more.

- dialogue felt... fast? Not fleshed out enough?

- also magic system is cool as shit but I'm the kind of person who doesn't understand how math works. So... yeah. I still don't know hoe the magic works but I'm all about Marci getting enthousiastic about all things magic.

- NEED THE NEXT BOOK NOW. GAH ( )

The fourth Heartstrikers story sees lots of changes. With Marci dead (sort of), Julius is heartbroken but needs to put it aside when the Chinese dragons come to invade Heartstriker Mountain. The terms are too good to be true and puts Julius right in the middle of secrets Chelsie has been hiding for over 600 years.

Meanwhile, Marci is struggling to become a Merlin, fix the magic that is almost terminally broken, and find a way to get back to her human life and Julius. She is aided in her plans by Amelia who has goals of her own and Raven who also has been plotting to his own ends.

And the DFZ has become a Mortal Spirit due to Algonquin's efforts with Sir Myron as the human who is bonded to her. The two don't get along at all since Sir Myron has decided what has to happen to make everything come out right and can't see that a scorched Earth policy is good for anyone.

Algonquin with its ally Leviathan - a Nameless End from outside of the planes - has declared war on the DFZ and all other Mortal Spirits. The action shifts to the DFZ where dragons, spirits, and Marci are gathering to try to stop plans that will destroy the plane.

This was an engaging story with intriguing characters, lots of action, and lots of moral dilemmas. ( )