By: Rob Thurman
Deathwish is a grimly realistic fantasy tale, the fourth in a series featuring brothers Cal and Niko. No glossing of unpleasant details occurs - and yet dark humor abounds. Cal is as snarky as ever, many of his quips eminently quotable. But the true power of this novel is its character development. Niko alternates narration of chapters with Caliban, allowing this formerly inscrutable character to become more comprehensible. Moreover, additional focus on Niko allows Promise to develop as a character in her own right, lending insight into their relationship. Meanwhile, Cal and Niko increasingly appear heartbreakingly codependent. The denouement of this piece is powerful. All in all, a great read - I'm looking forward to reading more by Thurman. (Fiction) 07/07/09
