The Los Angeles Firestorm killed over a hundred thousand people, set in revenge against necromancer Eric Carter for defying the Aztec god Quetzalcoatl. Carter feels every drop of that blood on his hands. But now there's a new problem.

Too many ghosts in one spot and the barrier separating them from the living cracks. And when they cross it, they feed off all the life they can get hold of. People die. L.A. suddenly has a lot more ghosts.

But it's not just one or two ghosts breaking through: it's dozens. Another mage is pulling them through the cracks and turning them into deadly weapons. Eric follows a trail that takes him through the world of the Chinese Triads, old associates, old crimes. And a past that he thought he was done with.

Carter needs to find out how to get things under control, because if more ghosts break through, there's going to be even more blood on his hands.

Consequences. That's the theme of this fifth novel in the urban fantasy series by Stephen Blackmoore. Of the authors I like the best, it is the ones that can deal with the consequences of previous novels in a realistic and authentic way that are among the best.  That is exactly what Stephen Blackmoore does here, presenting the consequences of not only the previous book but the series and how those events affect his protagonist Eric Carter. Some of those consequences are physical, the injuries Eric has accrued over the years and some are emotional, like how Eric's allies interact with him. 

While there is some set up inherent in any series, the action keeps the pace up and the page turning. The action is riveting but it is the consequences of previous novels and the emotional weight of those events that makes the novel so engaging. And while the book is dark, the humor of Eric keeps the story from being too dark. While fifth in the series, this book is as good as the previous ones and if you like Stephen Blackmoore's style, this won't disappoint. I do recommend a read through of the other novels, as it will help with understanding the events in this book.

My only slight disappointment, this ends on a bit of a cliffhanger ending and I really hate to wait to find out what happens next. 

Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars - Andrea Rittschof

For other titles by Stephen Blackmoore click here