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Very minor spoilers

When I saw the return of the Fire Ants, I got worried that it was the direction it was going to head in and we'd just get a lot of grinding...

Boy was I mistaken.

That's luckily only a few pages, maybe a chapter, and its over fairly quick.

Then we get to the lead ups and to the main event. And HOLY SHIT is this epic. Like 'The Return of the King' movie epic taken to crazier proportions. There is so much that happens in this book, its not even a rollercoaster ride, its like a hurtling ship trying to dodge asteroids.

It just starts with a calm before the storm and then gradually the rains come and the lightning, then the storm hits and it just goes to levels of insanity.

Normally reading strategic blow by blow bores me, (Foundryside), but here it's so expertly done that I'm following along, even when I miss stuff, it's ok because the next 'move' will wow me, and it does. The author keeps it moving and constantly engaging, whilst managing the characters, relationships, having touching moments between characters, the humor (although I missed some of the humor in the notifications they were more straight forward this time around), and the badassery.


So many favorite parts:

A ton of video game tropes are used here and it's awesome. My favorite was the 'worm shell game' which reminded me of the Zant fight in Twilight Princess.

Westley grew on me and I enjoyed his growth as a character and his POV in the last act had me grinning and laughing the way through, I loved it, probably one of the best parts, of the book, and that's saying a lot because there are a LOT of best parts. Its such a cool perspective to have for the events that happen.

Everything from when Jason and co get to the 'place' and after.

It is a book where you probably KNOW or can guess what is going to happen in terms of overall plot for the most part. If you're familiar with story arcs in action/adventure you've seen the arc a million times. But you're here to experience HOW it happens. It's the HOW that is constantly engaging and compelling.

Then it just ramps up more and more, and moves so smoothly, so effortlessly in how much is juggled here, until all the story arcs merge, like the best final thirds of your epic fantasy series. Again it reminded me of watching 'Return of the King', or 'Return of the Jedi'.

Hellion throws everything and the kitchen sink. There are so many types of scenes, events happening that I never felt it was ever the same thing twice. In cases where it might of been, the tactic was done so differently it never felt that way. It was always reinventing itself with interesting twists, and new strategies.

There are even really important questions asked and a conversation between characters about them that adds another level of depth to what's going, not just in this book but the whole series.

Then the finale, I won't spoil but was interesting and I didn't see coming which was nice, and there is going to be another book. I was thinking it'd have to be a different style or at least a completely different plot because I can't see how the author could top what he's done with the plot here.

AO: Hellion gets five out of five stars from me, there are a few flaws that I've mentioned in previous books but they didn't bother me here because its so brilliantly done, exciting, thrilling, and just a blast to read. AO: Catharsis is still my favorite because to me its a more unique conflict even though its not nearly as grand, whereas Hellion has a conflict that is probably as old as storytelling itself, but told in a unique way. This is now my second favorite in the series behind it. Got me excited for and anticipating the next chapter!