Evenfall Vol II: Soul to Keepby Sheena McNeilReviews may contain information that could be considered 'spoilers'. Readers should proceed at their own risk. Publisher
Credits Grade: 8 Phoebe wakes up next to her dead body at the bottom of a cavern. She wanders off and meets a bird-man who explains he has been waiting for her to help her in her quest. She's not entirely sure what's going on or what he's talking about, but they soon realize the Serpent King and his minions are hot on their trail and want Phoebe for their own. They are soon joined in their quest by a barbarian named Sanamar. Cornered in battle, they are forced to plunge into the River of Pain where Phoebe's grief comes back to haunt her in a very real way. Thankfully they are saved by a very unusual boat, and it's special secret saves Phoebe a little spiritually as well. To continue with her quest, Phoebe must meet with a great and terrible sage who may help her or hurt her depending on her answers to a few questions...I have not read the first volume of Evenfall but volume two is so well crafted that it was easy to pick up with, and thanks to the scenes in and on the River of Pain and with the sage we get a little taste of what Phoebe went through in volume one and in her past in general. I always enjoy a good fantasy-adventure quest, but having one start with the main character waking up next to her own dead body is a great hook and a very original twist. She can apparently be injured and poisoned just as if she were alive, and her form is physical so it's really hard to explain, but it works quite well as a segue into this strange land. Evenfall has a wonderful flow and introduces new twists and characters at just the right points. Only once or twice did I get bogged down in a page spread filled with dialogue/narrative. Full of emotion, drama, and action Evenfall is true fantasy epic on a smaller scale. I really like the art. The character designs are excellent, good detail, and realistic movement of the bodies, but it's more than that. There's something in the essence of the art that brings the characters to life and engrosses you in their world. The monsters are definitely scary (and I can't wait to see more of them), and even the sage, when she is revealed, is both beautiful and terrible — in that one panel Pete Stathis captures her power and why people are both drawn to and fear/respect her. Art and story together make for a read that I couldn't put down, and I can't wait to see what this new power of Phoebe's is and what the Serpent King will do to get her. Written: February 28, 2007
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