It's a return to form for Atticus. After I didn't like him that much in Hammered, he's back without his case of "the smug" in this book. I was happy to see Oberon back, I love the exchanges between the two of them and Oberon was absolutely a hero in this one. I think Oberon and Granuile do a lot to keep Atticus human and challenge him in ways that make him a more relatable, likable character.I also like Hearne's portrayal of Coyote. I've read other series where Coyote is sort of a good natured prankster. But mostly, in the old stories, trickster gods are not practical jokers. They are forces of destruction of chaos, sometimes it's necessary destruction and chaos, something must die for anything else to live and order must be abandoned for growth. But destruction and chaos are painful even when necessary. Coyote here, while still kind of charming, is portrayed as much more in it for his own interests and is not above using people to obtain his desired outcome.
I thought this book managed to mix the fun and the humor from the first two with a bit of the darker storyline and heavier consequences of Hammered.
I'm defintely intrigued by the teaser for the next book. I think that the changes may lead to a lot of interesting developments for the characters and their relationships.
