I always love your reviews, Nemo. I read them and then go.... I need to read them!!

So, Shawn, since you've read it now, what do you think?

* grins *

Did I mention I inhaled these books? They are definitely hard to put down; I stayed up late reading them with a flashlight... * cough * Remind me not to start books during a school week. The ending of each book ties in immediately with the next, which is an interesting technique but not a very satisfying one personally.

As for the magic issue... That seemed a little blurred to me. It wasn't laid out in a way that I personally could follow through the books. Again, I was inhaling them. The concept with the DHIs was really cool, if a bit unsettling. I'm still working through the implications of "crossing over" and how that all happens.

Also, I will mention the content issues. It wasn't really heavy in my opinion, but it's worth mentioning. In several places one of the characters uses language. It doesn't even blatantly say that he did; it's implied in a roundabout way. Also, some of the girls dress in a way that I personally consider immodest (not trying to open that can of worms here!). Again, there isn't any blatant, detailed description, but it's there. One other thing that bugged me is that the MC lies to his parents on several occasions, and that isn't addressed fully. They don't believe him, so situational ethics is sort of implied.

Now that I've got all of that cleared out of the way... These are pretty good stories. I don't have plans to reread them over and over, but they are certainly engaging. The kids have to works as a team, working together with their very different personalities and backgrounds. The stories tie together well, and it is evident that the author has done his research.

My brother likes these books. It's one of the things on my really long list of "things my brother likes that he's trying to make me read one of these days."