SPEED OF LIGHT

The third time lacks all charm.

Following a prologue that recaps the first two Meridian novels, this disappointing finale picks up soon after the wounding of Nocti Ms. Asura and the destruction of her pseudo–foster-care home. Chapters alternate between Meridian, who now dreams of growing old with Tens and prepares to assist her elderly, dying friend, Faye, and fellow Fenestra Juliet. Juliet must work through her anger and mistrust and desperately wants to find the remains of her dead parents. While danger from the Nocti seems imminent to the characters, especially when Juliet agrees to exchange information about those who work for the Light for the location of her parents, readers must wait…and wait…and wait for any action. Bogged down by the characters’ day-to-day minutiae, the story crawls at a snail’s pace until Meridian and her ring of friends tackle the Nocti at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Even then, the battle is tedious, predictable and ultimately disappointing. The introduction of Juliet’s possible dyslexia and the arrival of a new female Protector from Iran and possible issues of sexuality are broached but never explored.

The conclusion to the series will draw a sigh—of relief.