Silvertongue

June 1, 2009
Gr 5-9-In this concluding book in the trilogy, George, 13, and Edie, 12, finally face their enemies the Walker, the Last Knight, and the Ice Devil in a battle that may destroy them. In a cold, snowy alternate London, the clock has struck 13, freezing time. An evil darkness has been released and the city's inhabitants have disappeared, leaving only taints (malevolent statues come to life) and spits (statues with a soul-like essence) to battle each other with George and Edie in the middle. George has discovered he is a maker and that only he can mend the rent in the Stone and vanquish the darkness. Edie's a glint who can see past events. She has seen her mother's and her own death at the hands of the Walker and wants revenge. A stone vein is climbing up George's arm and unless he can fight and win this final duel, it will continue to spread and turn him into stone. The children are aided and protected by the Gunner, a World War I memorial statue, a cat gargoyle, and a variety of other intriguing statues. George and Edie's action-packed experiences are told in alternate chapters. Their pasts are finally fully revealed, including a surprising connection between them. New readers of this series will be confused since the book does not stand on its own, but those familiar with the earlier titles will be satisfied."Sharon Rawlins, New Jersey State Library, Trenton"

Copyright 2009 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

July 1, 2009
In this trilogy ender (Stoneheart, Ironhand), time has frozen. George and Edie split up, George to fight his final duel with the Dark Knight and Edie to find her mother. The protagonists rejoin the statues in a climactic battle against gargoyles and the Ice Devil--only to have to face the Walker one last time. A thrilling, heart-wrenching conclusion to the series.

(Copyright 2009 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)