Ceremony (Darkwar Triology, No 3)

Rating:
Summary: Break-Neck conclusion to the trilogy
Review: The last of the trilogy, Ceremony takes the world Cook described richly in the first two books and exposes it to the first meeting of this society with a major space-faring race. That race is human, and could easily be us in the future. We only read snippets about these humans, but learn enough to know we are fighting amongst ourselves and the Meth (the race of the Darkwar trilogy) are about to be dragged into it. The humans of this book are technologically far in advance of the Meth, but know nothing of the mystical powers accepted as real by these people. Merika, unlikely champion of the old ways, leads the battle against the treacherous meth who would destroy the world she loves and hates. Epic battle against a cold starscape -- witchery, black ghosts and ancient magic against lasers, nuclear engines and electromagnetic shields. Will Merika win again, even against these incredible odds? It kept me reading long past my bed time. I own the series but would love to have a spare copy to loan out. Unfortunately, the whole set is out of print and I don't think the publisher will print it again. The ending sequence left me in tears. A dramatic, fitting end to a well-written series. Unlike a lot of trilogies written these days, there won't be a sequel.