Shadows in the Silence

Gr 10 Up—This final installment in the trilogy opens with Ellie desperately trying to save her beloved angelic guardian, Will, from the only poison that can affect him: demonic reaper's venom. The resolute heroine teams up with Cadan, the third side of Ellie's love triangle and half brother to Will, to heal Will before the trio sets off to travel the world and hunt down the one relic that will enable Ellie, actually the archangel Gabriel reincarnated as a human teen, to stop the apocalypse. Throughout the series, Ellie is torn between protecting her loved ones, trying to live a normal teenager's life, and playing the role of Preliator in the constant battle against evil. Moulton successfully builds Ellie and Will's star-crossed love to a memorable status; they are perfect for one another, yet the fates are hostile. But Ellie's two worlds do not merge seamlessly. In an attempt to tie up loose ends, the author concludes this Bible-based fantasy series with an odd science-fiction spin that isn't quite effective. Fans will find the overly complex plotline and blood-spattered battle scenes typical, but will be gratified by characters that are more sustaining than usual in this genre.—Jamie-Lee Schombs, Loyola School, New York City