Sister of the Dead by Barb & J. C. Hendee

Title:  Sister of the Dead
Authors:  Barb & J. C. Hendee
Publisher:  Roc
Publication Date:  January 2005
Format:  Paperback, 405 pages
Age Group:  Adult
Series:  Noble Dead (book 3, series 1)

Magiere, a dhampir, and Leesil, a half-elf, have many questions about their pasts.  This is their journey to discover more about Magiere's father, her birth, and her mother's death.  They are joined on their quest by the sage, Wynn, and the Fey dog, Chap.  Even as they hunt answers, they are followed by those who seek to use them to their own purpose.

Sister of the Dead begins the morning after Thief of Lives ends.  This is a series that absolutely must be read in order or it will make no sense.  I am so glad that I am reading the books now instead of when they first came out because a waiting a year between books would have ruined the flow of the story for me.

As I get deeper into this series, I am enjoying it even more.  The characters are all complex.  They all have their own secrets and moral codes.  Each has a past that they would rather forget but which calls to them.  The choice of whether to continue on their current path or step off into the darkness doesn't simply occur once but instead over and over again in so many small choices that are made.  Unknown forces try to shape events to their purpose but must contend with free will at each crossroads.

The action seems to be non-stop even when I thought Magiere and Leesil were going to get a small break to rest or talk things over.  Their journey was full of obstacles and the simplest of tasks became difficult.  Emotions are constantly running high, leading to short tempers and inner conflict.

Each time I thought I knew where the story was heading the authors threw in another twist.  Once it happened I could see how things were leading up to it even while pulling me toward a different idea.  This kept the book and the series unpredictable.

This is a great dark fantasy series and I'm looking forward to reading the next book.  My husband borrowed Sister of the Dead through inter-library loan and no one anywhere had any expectation of a review.

Here are links to my reviews of the previous books in the series (in order):

Dhampir
Thief of Lives

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