Review: Wow! Circus magic plus hot alien men, dogs, cats and elephants.
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 09 15, 2013
Subjectively, it feels as if I've waited FOREVER for the third story of the prophesied female warriors. Objectively, it's only been a bit over 2 years since River's Run and 9 months since Star's Storm. (FOREVER).  But, Jo's story is finally here and I celebrated its arrival by racing through it non-stop. Now I have the pleasure of going back and re-reading slowly to catch more details, interact with new and old characters and hope that the next book is 9 months or less away.Jo and Manota's story doesn't disappoint. Scenes with the two together scorch the page. Manota immediately recognizes that they belonged together and eventually so does Jo. Each also realizes that some major compromises are needed for them to stay together and thus Jo's Journey begins. Nonstop action, an interesting plot, memorable characters, suspense, humor...as always these are constants in an S.E. story.The trek to meet and move Jo and Star's parents doesn't go as smoothly as Manota hopes. For friendship and adventure, Cirque de Magik members decide to take the show "offworld" and things will never be the same for them or the universe. Glimpses and interactions with circus members become an enjoyable, anticipated aspect of the story. The Kassians first visit to the circus is particularly delightful. And, of course, the villains have their plans.Reading River and Star's stories is not required to enjoy this story but recommended. Major plot threads running through the first three books are resolved but new surface to take their place. As always, characters from previous books appear as do future heroes and heroines. Definitely looking forward to Riki and Risteard's story followed by others, like Katarina and Ajaska.While you wait for book 4, Ristéard's Unwilling Empress (Go Ricki!), and if you're not quite ready to leave the circus back on Kassis and return to reality, Rescuing Matti is available to continue the magic for just a bit longer.cross-posted amazon, goodreads, shelfari