Review: Total Exlipse - Rachel Caine

Unnatural Disaster

Weather Warden Joanne Baldwin has defeated her longtime enemy and saved the world - again.  But at what cost?  Standing at ground zero for the last attack, Joanne, the Djinn David, and the Earth herself have been poisoned by a substance that is destroying the magic that keeps the world alive.

Joanne and David have already lost their powers, but that's just the beginning.  The poison that has seeped into the planet is destabilising the entire balance of power, bestowing magic on those who have never had it and taking it at critical moments from those who need it.  It's just a matter of time before the delicate balance of nature explodes into chaos, destroying mankind - and every living thing on Earth - with it.

The Weather Warden Series:
Ill Wind
Heat Stroke
Chill Factor
Windfall
Firestorm
Thin Air
Gale Force
Cape Storm
Total Eclipse

Outcast Season Series:
(This is a spin off from The Weather Warden Series)
Undone
Unknown
Unseen
Unbroken

Visit Rachel Caine's Website for more information.

Review:
Total Eclipse is the 9th and final book in the Weather Warden series and I would strongly recommend reading the series in order.  I think if you tried to read this as a stand alone book you'd probably be missing too much of the back story to get the full enjoyment from the book.  This is an urban fantasy series that I've thoroughly enjoyed though so I'd definitely recommend checking it out starting with book 1 Ill Wind.  Although this review won't contain spoilers for Total Eclipse it is impossible to review without giving hints to previous events in the series so if you haven't read as far as Cape Storm yet I'd recommend you don't continue reading this review.

Total Eclipse picks things up right after the ending of Cape Storm so Jo and David have beaten their enemy but at great cost - they have been left without their powers and the damage caused to the earth has fully awoken the Mother.  Not only is Mother Earth awake, she is also seriously unhappy and has decided that humanity has blown it's chance.  With the Mother determined to wipe humans out of existence the few remaining Wardens are stretched thinly trying to control fires, floods, earthquakes and storms on a never before seen scale.  Their only chance is to try to plead their case directly to the Mother through one of the Oracles.  Despite knowing they are heading on what is likely to be a suicide mission Jo and David know they have no choice but to accept the task.  They are in a race against time to try and stop things before humanity is destroyed but will they be able to get the mother to listen?

I have been a massive fan of the Weather Warden series since I first read Ill Wind so although I was desperate to find out how things are resolved in the final book I was also sad to be saying goodbye to the characters I've grown to love.  I have to say I loved Total Eclipse and thought that the series ended really well.  Although I'd happily have read more books about Jo & David I'd prefer to see the series end on a high note than drag on until I'm bored with it.

I'm glad that Jo and David got to spend a little quality time together at the beginning of the book as the cruise ship returned to shore.  It was interesting to see how they reacted to losing their powers and I enjoyed seeing them as equals for the first time.  When they hit shore the storyline really picks up pace and I was completely unable to put the book down.  You never knew quite what to expect next and there were plenty of twists to keep you interested.  I enjoyed the road trip they take with Cherise and Kevin trying to get to the Oracles, it was nice to be reminded of the earlier books and I thought it was a great way to end the series.  All of the wardens are facing plenty of danger and not everyone survives to the end of the book, I'm not going to say any more because I don't want to give spoilers but I found myself getting quite emotional at times while reading.

Overall I thought this was a great ending to the series & I loved the epilogue.  I'm happy with how things turned out for most of the characters and glad that we are going to get to carry on reading more about the world Rachel Caine has created in the Outcast Season Series.  I have to say that I'm hoping that we get to see more of Jo, David, Lewis, Rahel & Venna in the new series as I'm not ready to completely say goodbye to them all yet.  I know this is a series that I will be reading again in the future and I'd recommend it to any urban fantasy fans.

Source: Library

Other Reviews:
If you have reviewed this book on your blog please leave a link to your review in the comments & I'll add the link here.