A dragon of black glass

In the third installment of the four-volume Moonfall series, Nyx and her friends are confronted with a task so vast in its scope that it seems impossible. Set "untold millennia" after a catastrophe stopped the rotation of the Earth (known, in this far-flung future, as Urth), this fantastic series from the author of the Sigma Force action thrillers began with the staggering revelation that the moon is falling. There was only one hope: to restart the massive machines that set the world to spinning again, causing unimaginable damage. In volume three, one machine has been restarted, and it's a desperate race against time to restart the second. But ancient secrets and a looming war are making it difficult for Nyx's people; can they complete their mission before time runs out? Although Rollins does provide a capsule summary of the events leading up to this novel, readers wanting to check out this series might wish to read volumes one and two first, to capture the epic story's nuances. Those who've read those books can jump right in. Volume four can't come soon enough.

Urth's fate is nearly at hand as moonfall continues to wreak havoc on all of the lands. Nyx and her allies are determined to find an ancient weapon across the sunburnt deserts to the west. Chased by their enemies, they must cross sands turned into glass and face an archaic army which protects the artifact. Meanwhile, Prince Kanthe, consort to the new empress of the Southern Klashe, must help his distant friends while navigating the war that has spread across the Crown. His twin, King X, makes deadly decisions in his pursuit of Kanthe, and the Iflelen realize that the bronze weapon they have brought back to life may in fact spell doom for not only Nyx's allies, but all of Urth. With Nyx's power prophesied growing out of her control, she's not sure if she'll save the world or help destroy it. VERDICT The penultimate volume of the "Moonfall" series, after The Cradle of Ice, has some exposition lag, but the fast pace of its action sequences will keep epic fantasy readers engaged.--Kristi Chadwick