Although the ending was quite predictable, I was truly surprised and pleased how the author achieved it. The feeling of desperation was within every second of the 24 hrs of run time and I enjoyed it all. Finn has risen to his own challenges both present and future, and is currently playing many sides of this game with finesse and subtlety not shown by the other avatars. But now he sets himself against someone who has been made strong and hungry in the dark and just as desperate to succeed in this final game as Finn is. He may be the profit of the flame, but everyone who takes a shot at Jason will certainly know Hell. I look forward to the next book with rabid anticipation.