While I was considering what I would say about this review, I thought, "I'll give it four stars," and I thought of some very good reasons why I deducted that one star. But, shucks, who am I kidding? I don't exactly know where this love of middle grade fiction has come from, but I'm such a sucker for it.

Yes, there are things that I can say weren't as great as previous entries into this series. It seems like we spent less time with the main characters in this one. The entire story zooms right by you from crippling plague to resolution, which is good for young readers, but makes you pause if you are an adult reading this series...

And yes, you can call into question the very idea that all of these events in Regalia have a prophecy. You either buy into it or don't read the series. It isn't a fault of the plot, in my opinion; it's the premise.

I just love these characters so much, especially Gregor and Boots. Whenever I spend a few hours reading about their adventures, I'm happy enough.

I loved meeting Hamnet and Hazard and they both broke my heart, of course.

There are a lot of many good questions that this book brings up, as always. My favorite of these moments is when Gregor briefly thinks on how things cannot be better if humans and rats keep teaching their young to fear each other. It's what makes such a simply written, middle grade book just the kind of thing an older reader can find entertainment it.


Another great, short and easy read.