Total Eclipse (Weather Warden) [Mass Market Paperback]

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.

WARNING: This is the last Weather Warden novel. It's not the last one in this fictional universe, but it's the last of the books about Joanne Baldwin.

And while it's sad to see a solid urban fantasy series end, it's nice that Rachel Caine decided to end her story about elemental magic, djinns and Weather Wardens before it lost its zing. "Total Eclipse" is a satisfying ending to the series, with a higher-stakes problem and potentially fatal handicaps -- it's a bit shaky at first, but still an enjoyable, well-written ending.

The Djinn and Wardens have lost their magic. So the Wardens are helpless, and the Djinn are slowly dying; when they leave the black corner, all the Djinn except David just vanish. David believes that the Earth is wounded, waking up, and trying to heal itself -- every continent is being hit by wildlife attacks, vast wildfires and storms.

So not only are the Djinn and Oracles in danger of being drawn back into the Earth's power, but the entire human race is in danger. Fun, huh?

And as the little group zooms toward Whitney, things get worse -- people Joanne cares for are hurt and even killed, Oracles are acting out, and possessed Djinn are stalking them with intent to kill. And Joanne isn't sure that she can keep herself and her friends alive, let alone stop an all-out armageddon...

I honestly hate it when fantasy books depict Mother Nature as some kind of benevolent personification of fuzzy-bunny-love. Let's face it: nature is cruel, brutal, beautiful, and human beings really don't figure into its balance. "Total Eclipse" takes that into account -- and honestly, Nature running amuck makes a pretty awesome finale for the series.

It isn't a PERFECT finale -- the first half is too patchy and episodic, and it takes them eons just to DRIVE to Whitney. But as the story smooths out into a wild, terrifying expanse of terrestrial destruction, Caine's story expands into a truly brilliant, explosive finale where the stakes could literally not be any higher unless the sun exploded.

And despite all the mayhem, Caine keeps in the human (and Djinn) element -- there's some heated romance, moments of comedy (Joanne's almost sexual ecstacy when driving her car), a bit of horror (an invasion of chimera!), and a truly exquisite grand finale that wraps everything up beautifully.

And Joanne is shown off at her best here: desperate, good at heart, and being torn to shreds as she sees the world literally fall apart around her. She's literally doing her best all the time, while knowing that it won't be enough -- and yet she still stops to help save a little baby from being in the line of fire.

The Weather Wardens series goes out not with a whimper, but with a clap of thunder. The first half of "Total Eclipse" is a bit patchy, but the second half is a slam-bang finale worthy of Caine's skills.

I'm loving these books really sad that there finished would loved to have read more but still such a great read. If you love Morganville you really need to give this a go so glad I read them hope other people do as well.