A great, if flawed, entry.

This being my first written review for the series, allow me to say this. It is every bit as entertaining and powerful an entry as the last three. However it feels as though some things have been pressed aside or overlooked here or there to focus on the titular character of this book, Keira Morgana.

Firstly, as a whole the story continues to remain a fun romp however entering the fourth book it feels as though some characters are no longer receiving attention like one might wholly expect. Boxxy himself fades into the background for a good majority, though that is to be expected to an extent. New characters are introduced, though not all are given quite the limelight you’d seen given in past books. And, worst of all to me at least, one miss Fizzlesprocket is relegated to a cameo and acknowledgement here or there. We get no inclination of her growth between the last book and this one, and whilst she does appear it is hardly noteworthy outside of being a way to acknowledge she exists still and is still working under our favored chest. A lot of this, I would say, is on the book focusing its perspective from the title character’s point of view rather than the bunch we’ve come to know and… ‘tolerate more than we thought we would’. It works, and it is understandable, but missing out on even simple character information so we know where they all stand is something of a missed chance here. It doesn’t harm the narrative overall, but it’s a nice point to have… and the same tends to occur with Boxxy as well, as the book seems to move away from general updates after major events for characters. This book is also the first where the greater powers that be are… conspicuously silent despite what happens throughout. They continue to be referenced, but that too feels as though it has been pulled back on.

As for the performances? Jeff Hays continues to be an excellent narrator and voice for the characters we all know. The newcomer to the series, Annie Ellicott, likewise is a strong addition though at least for me it sounded as though the mixing was a little off at first near the start. It smoothed out as things went on, but I couldn’t shake the feeling the volumes were a little off between Hays and his narration and her own spoken parts. The worst part I will say, though, and the reason I scored it lowest is the additional effects mixed in. They aren’t always bad, but nearing the end of the book the various additional sounds played alongside the narration end up sometimes overpowering the deliveries and becomes distracting more than they are immersive. It isn’t painful, but they could definitely be toned down some.