Wow! I just finished reading this morning, and I am in shock. Heather McCorkle has grown so much as a writer and a storyteller since the first book. While I loved The Secret of Spruce Knoll and Channeler’s Choice, the third novel in this trilogy absolutely blew me away.
Eren Donovan is a channeler–a person able to use the Earth’s energy for fighting or healing purposes. She is fast, strong and smart. But her mixed heritage of Mayan and Irish blood has pegged her as “other” amongst her kind. Add to it that she is the first channeler in hundreds of years able to use both sides of her power (healing and fighting) as well as a Rector (leader of a society) and she is truly made to feel an outcast. However, finding another like her, Aiden and bonding with him has made it all worth it. As young as they are, they’ve connected with their society—Eren’s cousin, Fane, and best friend, Caitlin. Nothing can break the bonds of friendship between these four. Now, they must face a coming Apocalypse that will destroy…everything.
McCorkle gives us non-stop action from beginning to end. The interactions between Eren, Aiden, Fane and Caitlin are real and heartwarming. I believe you’d be hard pressed to find any reader not wanting to be a part of this group. Loyal and caring friends, plus an epic love between Eren and Aiden, ramp up the emotions to uncharted heights. The enemies are all too close. Whenever one of these characters was in danger, I felt the fear and agony right along with them.
My only disappointment is that this is the last book. Bring me a Fane and Caitlin spin-off, please!
*Full disclosure: While I consider Heather a friend in the writing community, I was not asked by her to give this review. This is purely 100% my feelings toward the book.