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14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
The Third Sign's the Charm - Mostly!, May 29, 2008
This review is from: The Touch of Twilight (Sign of the Zodiac, Book 3) (Mass Market Paperback)
I've enjoyed this series since its beginnings, and the third installment doesn't disappoint, despite a few nagging issues that have been pretty much present since book one.
The good:
- More is revealed about Zane and his fascinating post as the comic book artist/archivist. The comics-as-superhero-history angle in Pettersson's series is a great touch, and its very satisfying to see more about the comics and Zane revealed in "Touch."
- The significance of the third "sign" and how it ended up playing out at the climax was pretty much a complete surprise that I did not see coming at all. Pettersson does a very good job of building suspense yet hiding her cards.
- Lots of great Vegas flavor throughout, and as always, the author gives us glimpses of the city that a tourist would know little about.
- Joanna still has a lot of bravado and impulsiveness, but she appears to be getting better about knowing when she's really messed something up. She's also playing nicer with others. In particular, I loved the unique partnership that is forged between her and Chandra, the would-be Archer she was so unkind to in book 1. Chandra is a character who becomes really well-developed in "Touch," and now I can't wait to see more of her in future books.
- Another great new character: Skamar! I wonder what Skamar will be up to in the next book...
- A painful decision Joanna makes at the end of the book show that she really has matured and is ready to move past certain personal roadblocks.
The bad:
- Pettersson knows how to create a very unique and fascinating fantasy world, but in all 3 books theres a sense of over-reaching, at times. Scenes and phenomenon are described that I can barely get a mental grasp on. In the book's opening, for example, a fight scene involving a black hole left me boggling at the impossible visual that her prose created. Perhaps this is the point - to create a world that is so fantastic it can't actually be replicated in prose - but it does leave me with a bit of head-strain.
- I remain persistently skeptical about the Olivia/Joanna identity and how its been kept a secret for so long. The troop knows her as Olivia, but the Shadows and the Tulpa know her as Joanna. Sometimes she's wearing a mask, but at other times one isn't mentioned. Even more confusing is the fact that Joanna herself can clearly recognize a number of Shadow agents by sight - so shouldn't they by rights recognize her, too? I just don't understand how anyone's identity could really feasibly be a secret at this point.
The identity questions and overblown descriptions are mostly easy for me to get past, though, as these are good books, and really do present a pretty unique and compelling fantasy world. I look forward to book 4!
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6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Omens and Good-byes, July 12, 2008
This review is from: The Touch of Twilight (Sign of the Zodiac, Book 3) (Mass Market Paperback)
Joanna Archer has had a difficult life, for sure. She also makes a point to mention it every chance she gets. I love this series, but it's becoming dangerously close to one where you want to take the heroine, or superheroine in this case, and shake her. Very little is accomplished here and what little is accomplished happens in the last few chapters. She focuses entirely too much on revenge she thinks she deserves, totally ignoring things like responsibility to her troop and a little girl she has essentially broken.
The book is not a complete loss. Facts are unearthed about her childhood home, alternate planes, the power of thought, and why some people are the way they are. She finally makes a decision about her love life, takes the initiative in Olivia's life, and discovers some intrigue within her stepfather's life. The book is also a great resource for some of the trivialities: what exactly is a tulpa, how does a conduit come into existence, how much license does the author grant for the supernatural, what car does Hunter drive?
Ultimately, it's a worthwhile read, especially if you're already into the series. It helps tie some things together, creates some interesting venues for the future, and furthers a few interpersonal bonds within the troop. I just really hope this isn't a sign of things to come as the first two books were a much easier, enjoyable read.
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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Girl Fight!, August 30, 2008
This review is from: The Touch of Twilight (Sign of the Zodiac, Book 3) (Mass Market Paperback)
Our heroine, Joanna Archer, the Light Sagittarius, comes from a lineage of superheroines. Though if you didn't know that, you should probably read the first two books or you're just going to run into a pile of spoilers.
Touch of Twilight focuses largely on girl fights and how women fight, which is perhaps why a number of other reviewers commented on the lack of action. Regan, the Shadow Cancer, has stolen Joanna's identity, man, and life as of the end of the last book. This book focuses on the two women taunting each other. Regan has everything, but Joanna is constantly watching. The battle heats up when Joanna finds cracks in Regan's heart and targets the things she loves. It's a battle of trying to push your opponent to despair rather than a battle of physical pain. It's the way women are taught to fight, attacking what's dear to a foe's heart, and Pettersson acknowledges this, which makes her world that much more believable.
Meanwhile, having lost her human identity, Joanna is in peril of losing her superhero identity as an unknown doppelganger has appeared. If Joanna doesn't solve her double's riddle soon, the doppelganger will eat her heart and assume her identity. This may or may not have something to do with Jasmine the Changeling who it turns out Jo accidentally "broke." The Tulpa, head of the Shadows, is equally afraid of the doppelganger taking over, as it seems to possess abilities he can't match.
Speaking of girl fights, just as Joanna and Chandra (her rival for her place within the superhero troop) might be moving to an understanding, the new Light Libra, Kimber, gets her nose out of joint about Joanna's position in the zodiac.
On the romantic end, Joanna cleaves to her dream of being with Ben, who thinks she's abandoned him. Her conflicts with Regan push her closer to coming clean with him about who she is now and what's going on in her life. Despite her loyalty to this man, Hunter, the Light Aries, continues to court her. The two of them have some truly great moments together discussing general relationship difficulties and ideals as he encourages her to move on.
This is the best of the series so far, as Joanna works both with the group and by herself and seems to be making a place for herself with the troop. Jo faces many difficult circumstances, and the ending provides only temporary happiness. It does, however, explain the secret identity Joanna/Olivia thing that got confusing in the second book as to which identity was secret. Pettersson also sets up a continuing arch, as not all of the problems are solved in this book.
If you like dark fantasy or classic superhero tales, you'll love this book. If you like relationships in conflict you'll love this book. Pettersson never fails to make me hate her villains and love her heroes with a passion that makes me devour the books as quickly as possible. I look forward to the next one.
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