THE LOST GUARDIAN

Sequel to The Fourth Guardian (1994). The original guardians of the four Stones of Power are dead—in the present, that is; but in the past they're still plotting and squabbling, their rivalries stimulated by Ketoko, a demon, sort of, who's master of time, or something. In a plot of inordinate complication, the new guardians- -Elena, old Corbo's protÇgÇ; her young son, Raphael; and the weird youngsters William and Violet—face a double threat, from mafioso bigwig Frankie and his assistant, Raymond, and also from Igor (he has three personalities) and his psychic-whizzes, Tippi and Thaddeus. Unprepared and unwary, the guardians succumb swiftly to the assault. Elena dies. William, though helped by Raphael to battle demons in the jungle, is also killed, sort of. Raymond easily romances away Violet's Stone, then relents, returns the Stone, and helps her battle Igor. Tippi and Thaddeus, launching a psychic attack against Violet, are betrayed by their assistant, whom Ketoko sends into the past to warn Corbo. Violet disposes of Tippi, Thaddeus switches sides, and the Stones acquire a new set of guardians. Wild, weird, and unconvincing. Still, fans of the first volume will probably enjoy this one; readers who demand plot rigor and logic before special effects, though, will find it more often annoying than stimulating.