Everything Vega had in Wormwood is gone. The Maladon’s left only one Wug alive – so he could dig the graves for the citizens of Wormwood. Vega held him as he died in her arms.

Back at her home that grows no matter how many need shelter and food there, she must tell Delph the news. His father is gone, along with everyone else they knew. She can hardly bring herself to think where her brother John might be. Did the Maladon’s take him to use against her?

As Vega learns more about Necro – the leader of the Maladons, she realises she is up against an evil and powerful sorcerer that will do anything to rule the world. Using her magical tools she visits Necro’s castle and discovers what he is doing to all the magical folk he finds. Vega is determined to stop him, and puts all her efforts into training all the folk from the villages of True and Greater True, then the villagers she saved from the evil train rides to slavery.

She knows she is outnumbered by the Maladons and their elite force of Bowler hatted magical men, but refuses to give in. Consulting with her dead ancestors, travelling back in time, and listening to those who knew Necro when he was young, Vega battles the Maladons again and again.

All is not lost for the people of Wormwood, and even John is found. But he’s not the brother she once knew – now cold, distant, indifferent to his family. Has she lost him to dark magic?

Vega is not scared to ask for help and advice. She is also determined to bring loved ones together, even if one of them is long dead. This combined empathy for others and willingness to learn and grow is ultimately the thing that evens the playing field with Necro when their impending duel unfolds.

This is the last in the Vega Jane series, and is a fitting finale. There are lots of story threads to pull together, relationships to heal and advice to be found in order for the defeat of the most evil sorcerer ever. Necro has nothing in mind except total power and domination, and Vega’s vengeance is wavering as she sees her cobbled force of fighters dwindling.

Her dilemma is heart wrenching and all feels lost, but again she digs deep, her friends belief in her buoys her spirit and she stands strong when she is faced with someone worse than all the series’ monsters mixed together. This ending did remind me of Harry Potter and Voldemort in their final face off, but didn’t in any way detract from the excitement of this series’ finale.

A series well worth reading, with its epic multiple world building, which blend together more and more the further you get through the series. Fantasy, magic, monsters and a kind, caring and kickass heroine to cheer for!

Author – David Baldacci

Age – 11+

Read a review of the other books in this exciting series (Click on a Cover)

(2022, Action, Animals, Conflict, Courage, Family, Fantasy, Friendship, Grief, Growing Up, Love, Magic, Murder, Series, Dog, Betrothal, Death, Ghosts, Secrets, Spirits, Sorcery, Revenge, Finale, Conclusion, Loss, Discovery, Time-travel)