WORMWOOD

Agetta Lamian is a housemaid in eighteenth-century London, where magic and science mix with horrifying results. As a comet, named Wormwood by Agetta's scientist master, plummets toward the city, she becomes a pawn in deadly games of intrigue over a magical book. But angels, gargoyles, and resurrections cannot keep this burdensome novel moving. Even Davina Porter's skills are no match for unlikable characters, wandering story lines, a passionless battle of good versus evil, and a continually dismal tone. Fans of Taylor's previous book, SHADOWMANCER, may be pleased, but the average listener will be unsatisfied. J.M.S. © AudioFile 2005, Portland, Maine [Published: APR/MAY 05]