Snappy pacing keeps the pages turning in this third installment of the wars between Faeries of the Light, Faeries of the Night and demons from Hael. Sixteen-year-old Blue is now queen of the Faerie Realm, advised by two iconically funky adults. The FONs' leader offers a highly suspect truce for negotiation just as Pyrgus, 17, discovers strange crystal flowers being grown on a FON's estate. Henry, a 17-year-old friend from the Analogue world (ours), arrives by way of a flying saucer and inexplicably kidnaps Blue. Time stoppage and aliens cause twists, as do events that are later annulled (possibly disaffecting some readers). Magic and science are blurred ("spell technology") and un-detailed. Brennan's characters seem younger than their ages and his prose is often cluttered; however, images are colorful, and the ricocheting narrative—each chapter ending in suspense and the next chapter jumping to a different plotline—pulls readers to a surprisingly satisfying conclusion. (glossary) (Fantasy. 10-14)

Gr 7-10-This third book in the series continues the story of Queen Blue; her brother, Pyrgus; the human Henry; evil Lord Hairstreak; and even more vile Beleth. Blue is now Queen of the Faerie Realm and unexpectedly finds herself receiving an offer of peace from the Faeries of the Night. While she is suspicious, she decides to travel to see if Lord Hairstreak's offer is genuine. Combine this with Henry's abduction by aliens while back on Earth, and readers set off on a wild ride filled with faeries, demons, and illusions culminating in an ending that has the entire Realm in jeopardy. Brennan's humor and clear language carry the action forward at a brisk pace, yet allow beloved characters to be revisited and enjoyed. The entire series strikes a unique balance between fantasy and science fiction, so these books are not bound by the conventions of either genre. The story is riveting, the action is fast, and the characters are convincing. Recommend it to fans of Eoin Colfer's "Artemis Fowl" series (Hyperion).-Tasha Saecker, Menasha Public Library, WI Copyright 2007 Reed Business Information.

This third book in The Faerie Wars Chronicles, follows Henry, Pyrgus, Holly Blue, and Mr. Fogarty as they prepare for war against the Faeries of the Night. Blue, now Queen of the Realm, is suspicious when her untrustworthy Uncle Hairstreak offers to open negotiations, but she eventually learns that Hairstreak is insignificant compared to other dangers facing the Realm, including a new weapon that could completely alter the balance of power. Meanwhile as Henry deals with his parents' new romantic relationships, he begins to wonder if he imagined his earlier adventures in the Realm. This installment is more interesting and more significant than the second book, Purple Emperor (Bloomsbury, 2004/VOYA February 2005). Brennan, however, has an unfortunate habit of ending a chapter every time there is a clever one-liner, and there are literally several successive one- and two-page chapters following the same characters and plot thread, such that the breaks are completely unnecessary and often annoying. Nonetheless it is an interesting world, and the book's ending, while slightly abrupt and not entirely believable, contains a few surprises and is generally satisfying. There is also a six-page glossary of terms and characters. The book is likely to be popular among teen readers and is worthy of inclusion in any library serving that population. It should be noted that while there are several references to the demons' plan to forcibly interbreed with the Faeries of the Light, particularly Blue, there are no graphic scenes.-Amy Sisson.