The Spirit Eater

November 15, 2010

After his latest successful job, professional thief and wizard Eli Monpress seeks only to relax and spend his hard-earned money, but a friend wants his help in finding her missing father. Monpress and his companions find their mission complicated by the demon that resides within Nico, whose powers have proven useful in the past. As Nico struggles to remember who she is and deny her resident spirit, she realizes what she must do to assist her true friends. VERDICT The third book in Aaron's series (The Spirit Thief; The Spirit Rebellion) is another action-based fantasy adventure with strong male and female characters. Its standard fantasy background flavored with the feel of urban fantasy makes this an unusual addition to the fantasy romance genre and should appeal to series fans.

Copyright 2010 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

January 1, 2011
The third Eli Monpress book delves still deeper into Elis and Nicos backgrounds, integrates unresolved plot elements from the previous entries (The Spirit Thief and The Spirit Rebellion, both 2010), and provides larger roles for previously minor characters, including Alric and the Lord of Storms. All of these elements add complexity as Aarons multilayered world comes into clearer focus. Slorn, the wizard who made Nicos coat, has disappeared, and his daughter has asked Eli to find him. Eli, Nico, and their swordsman partner Josef arent the only ones traveling to the far north hunting Slorn: Miranda and Gin are headed there, too, tracking Eli as always but also looking for Slorn. Aaron keeps the series fresh by giving Miranda and Gin smaller roles, while Nico and swordsman Josef both get more space, allowing for additional (and fascinating) character development. Meanwhile, master thief Elis usual antics prove as entertaining as always. Through three volumes, the Eli series has established itself as required reading for fantasy fans.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2011, American Library Association.)