The first book was good but this one blow it away, twist galore. ( )

On to the last book! ( )

The sequel to 'The Spirit Lens' - and really, you've got to read that one first!
The first book ended with a satisfying resolution to the main mystery - but circles of conspirators still plague the kingdom of Sabria.
Anne de Vernase, a convicted traitor's daughter, is called to court to serve as the queen's handmaiden, her family estates confiscated by the crown. The man who fetches her to court, Savin Duplais (the main character of 'Spirit Lens') is deeply suspicious of her, and to her, seems like a horrible person. Berg does nice work here in showing the same characters through a different person's perspective.
Mystery, political intrigue, and lots of wizardly doings abound, and at one point or another, nearly everyone is under suspicion of traitorous deeds...
I didn't love this one quite as much as the first in the series, but it was still, for true enjoyment value, worth 5 stars. Can't wait for the third in this series to be published! ( )

Superb.

The plot unravels slowly and the conspirators have un-msked their end game. Our hero from the last book Portier calls in one of his prior Witnesses Anne, who takes centre stage to help unravel and prevent if she can the final ill deeds. Yes this is only book two of the trilogy. She doesn't know anything about it of course, to start with the impending doom of her family home being royally granted elsewhere has finally come to pass, and she's summoned to the capitol city to serve the Queen. Her one small light is that she might be able to finally influence someone and visit her brother who's been kept captive for the last four years following the events in the previous book - hostage to her missing father's good behaviour. She also wants if at all possible to discover what caused her only and much beloved sister to die in a magical accident. Her opportunities for questioning mages are slim, but she investigates where she can, and finds Portier - although responsible for much of her hardship - surprisingly compliant in a few areas. She quickly makes a few friends - the stammering physician overlooked by most of Court, and much more mysteriously a Voice in the aether of her head. The Voice is kind considerate intelligent and engaging, so much more than anyone else she's met, and reminiscent - although different from - the intellectual chats she had with her father. And naturally runs afoul of the fearsome Dante.

Just a joy to read. Well though out characters, and intelligent and brave heroine (not kickass - just sensible!). A well thought out world, some clever backstory and history to create the impasse that has logically arisen. Evil people have their own justifications and everyone's motivations make sense. ( )

Another excellent installment in the Collegia Magica series. Particularly liked that my heartbreak about Dante's character shift at the end of the previous book was not only explained, but Berg has made me love him even more than before. As a character, Anne has a slow build from powerless to extraordinarily and convincingly powerful. I'm looking forward to seeing where these two particular characters go in the next book. ( )