The House War is the struggle for control of the most powerful house in the empire, House Terafin. It is also the story of Jewel Markess, an orphan rescued by Rath. She is gathering less fortunate children for her own den.

Now times are truly dire as children are disappearing, theft and violence rule. Rath has separated himself from the den as he forms an alliance with the mages of the Order of Knowledge in a secret war against the demons knowing that his contacts will also be targeted for death. In a last attempt to protect the den, he has provided a note to the head of House Terafin, whom he swore never to contact. The house is the only chance of survival if they can unite. If they will.

This is the best House wars novel so far. Ms. West has made the characters and her world so real that they become part of your family-you become part of her den. A quality that one rarely sees no matter how good the plotting and action. I love it and hope to go back soon. I will find some space to stuff these on my bookshelves no matter what. Read this one and you'll want to do the same. Complex fantasy at its best. ~~ Pam Allan