Sacred Scars

this series is getting better and better.

the most remarkable thing about it is the author's ability to build on a bigger story while creating smaller arcs throughout. i am dying to know what happens in the big picture but i am distracted by the build-up and resolution of the smaller story lines within the larger story, so i never get frustrated and give up.

this is the problem with many other YA series. they come up with one big story line, then write it and divide it into three parts, published at intervals, to make more money and to make the books a reasonable length. like twilight. the important bits could fill about 150 pages, but it is padded with righteous abstinence flavored drivel. blech. or they go the route of the morganville vampire series, now up to 6 books, which starts out strong but by the fifth book, not enough is happening for me to care.

beyond that, the story has much to say about history and time and religion and a myriad other abstract concepts, while not being overly obtuse.

good book.