This is the sort-of sequel to "Middlegame," a mind-blowing concept of a universe where aspects of the universe can be embodied into people.  It's both about the bad guys hoping to cash in on the prospect, if only they can control those people, and the people who are created to be the vessel.  It's a sequel only in the sense it's set in the same universe; the characters from the first book make a cameo appearance but this is about new characters.

Melanie is a high school cheerleader who knows she has very little time left to live due to her fragile health.  Harry is her sweetheart; has been since middle school.  There is nothing in the world more important to each of them than the other.  There have been deeply weird and unsettling events in their lives but both of them shrug them off as fantasy; until the day on the football field when Melanie dies in front of Harry, and then he dies as well.  When both of them continue to live - Melanie without a heartbeat now - they both have to acknowledge there is something going on for which they have no frame of reference.  Information comes to them in the form of a young girl, Jack, who swears she's Melanie's guide to her destiny.  Harry should also have a guide but no one comes.  Jack explains that Melanie is to be the incarnate Winter while Harry will be the incarnate Summer.  And both of them must battle other wannabees who all want the Crowns.  Melanie and Harry have no use for such an unbelievable battle or crown, until Jack explains their continued existence is dependent on them both winning; otherwise they both die for real.

Melanie was built as a perfect vessel for Winter, and her twin sister was to be Summer.  Together they would have been unbeatable and the alchemist who made them expects to also control them.  Unfortunately for him (their father), their mother died in delivery and so did Melanie's twin, Aven.  But then, because this is an alchemical world, Aven didn't really die.  Dad kept her alive in some sort of stasis and fed her all the information he thought she'd need.  What he missed though, was a sense of conscience or ethos; creating, thereby, a sociopathic killer. And the only one who might be capable of controlling her is Melanie; but she'd have to give up Harry to do so. And Aven is now awake.

Most of the story is their journey from Oregon to Alabama, which causes them to come into contact with other contenders.  In the spirit of Highlander, there can be only one.  It's also a story of their journey to understand their own natures and what it will mean to be Queen of Winter and King of Summer.  And the final test, at the Labyrinth, isn't what any of them imagined it to be.

While the whole premise was gorgeous and I loved the whole ride; I think what I liked best, now that I've had several days to think about the whole book, was how insignificant some conflicts became once the Coronation was over. There was no final clean-up or conflict; it was literally all over in a moment.  I liked that.

And since I know there is at least one more book on the way, June of 2024, I believe, my imagination is taxed to consider what universal aspects she'll introduce us to next.  The title is "Tidal Creatures" which does give some hints.  I can hardly wait; this is heady stuff.  ~~ Catherine Book

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