This is the third book in the Minerva’s Shield series, a post-apocalyptic series blending the end of the world with magic, dragons and alien invasions.

Several years have passed since the initial cataclysm, though no one is sure just how many years have passed as our survivors discover time seems to flow differently depending on where one is. Parts of the world are concealed behind a mysterious grid that seems to offer protection from the aliens bent on destroying humanity. Our group of survivors, led by Bob Norton, have settled into a semi-secure routine, their bunker offers safety as well as comforts and even luxuries but they are always on guard against attack - from the remains of the government, from scavengers and from the dragons that appeared on the day of the cataclysm.  The Minerva coin, which shields the bunker, has given both Bob and his son Ian some special powers. Believing a second coin could allow them to build the own mini-grid to protect the bunker, perhaps for centuries, Bob lead a small group to New Mexico to retrieve a second coin. Meanwhile Ian uses his new power to rescue several relatives and family friends and bring them to the safety of the bunker and later leads an expedition to Florida to find information that might begin to tell them just what the government was planning with the mysterious coins.

This is a big book, 546 pages, but a surprisingly fast read. Once I started I found it hard to put down and finished it in slightly over a day.  The action, both on the expeditions and the daily life in the bunker, keep the reader turning the page.  We have magic, aliens and everyday interpersonal relations mixed in an extremely believable way. The book ends on a serious cliff hanger so I really hope the next installment is released soon. This series is highly recommended. ~~ Stephanie L Bannon

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