Rating: 
Summary: An intriguing blend of Dark and Urban fantasy genres
Review: Stewart has created what is without a doubt one of the most cutting edge fantasy novels I have ever read. Brilliantly combining elements of dark fantasy which border on plunging this narrative into the category of a horror and urban fantasy elements which bring the events depicted almost too close to home, the result is a novel which will both make your hair stand on end and force you to think about its implications long after you read it. The narrative style is tightly woven and highly engaging to those who are looking for a break from the traditional fantasy style. To describe the originality of Stewart's vision I would say that this novel borders on genius; to describe its appeal, well, it certainly won't be everyone's cup of tea. In point of fact this novel would probably appeal to a fairly small demographic of "fringe fantasy" fans. Let me simply say if you liked the X-files or the Outer Limits TV Shows or Movies like The Dark Crystal or The Last Unicorn this book will appeal to you. For the average Joe this book might be a little too dark for your taste; start with something lighter but still on the fringe like Gregory Mcguire's Wicked or, always a classic, Mary Shelley's Frankenstein.
Rating:
Summary: Odd but compelling
Review: The book starts slowly and requires some work on the reader's part, but the effort is well worth it. One of the joys of this books is the author's slow and subtle presentation of the world he creates -- at first it seems almost exactly like our world, then quite thoroughly different (sinister magic is a large part of it) and finally, not so different after all. The characters are all believable, given the oddity of their existence. The author also is extremely good with descriptions and the ordinariness of much of the phsycial surroundings only serves to heighting the eerie atmosphere. The book combines elements of fantasy and horror but doesn't easily fit into any category.
Rating:
Summary: Odd but compelling
Review: The book starts slowly and requires some work on the reader's part, but the effort is well worth it. One of the joys of this books is the author's slow and subtle presentation of the world he creates -- at first it seems almost exactly like our world, then quite thoroughly different (sinister magic is a large part of it) and finally, not so different after all. The characters are all believable, given the oddity of their existence. The author also is extremely good with descriptions and the ordinariness of much of the phsycial surroundings only serves to heighting the eerie atmosphere. The book combines elements of fantasy and horror but doesn't easily fit into any category.
Rating: 
Summary: A Rewarding Puzzle
Review: The first chapter of this book has to be one of the most incredible I've ever read anywhere. There's a lot that will shock and intrigue readers in this book, even with its modest number of pages; I thought the story was wonderfully packed and layered. The downside is that this is going to be a tougher book to read and understand than most sf/fantasy/urban fantasy books--Sean Stewart has got a very different Earth here, and only reveals it piece by little piece. A lot is unexplained (this book is almost absent of all "info dumps" so conspicuous in sf/fantasy); most information about the world must be inferred, at the same time Dante is trying to understand the mysteries happening inside him and within his family. The patient reader will be rewarded--this book is emotionally gripping, imaginative, funny and intelligent, and the quality and intensity never lets up. Once I reached the middle of the book, I lost hours of sleep trying to finish the rest of it in one night because I couldn't put it down. The puzzle pieces do fall into place in the last chapter. The whole book was a unique and incredible experience, unorthodox in a lot of places, which was really part of its strength. This was the first book I've read by Mr. Stewart, and I'm looking forward to reading his other books.
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