The third book in the Seven Stars Trilogy, THE GREY STAR is filled with action, betrayal, and a cosmic battle that could destroy not only the human world but all worlds. Everything Jack Lawson believed he was fighting for is shattered as he learns the true secret of the Risa Star. The Battle between the Cult of Dionysus and the Apollonians was only the tip. As the lines between good and evil blur, Jack and all his friends must choose a side as the fate of the world really does lie in their hands.

THE GREY STAR by James Bartholomeusz travels to fantastical worlds peopled with both magical and non-magical races that all share an amazing ability to look past the surface to find a universal connection: hope. This is the third book in the trilogy and it's the only one I've read. For new readers, I highly recommend reading the first two books in the series, The Black Rose and The White Fox. I did pick up the storyline but it was a little difficult at times to keep the characters straight simply because I didn't see the building of characters and relationships in the first two. Reading these stories in order, will be an advantage for younger readers (as well as older ones). Once I established the intricate relationships in the political world and the more personal relationships between friends and mentors, I enjoyed this story.

Told through multiple points of view, THE GREY STAR shows the story from all angles which allows the reader to look at this complex system of worlds in new and exciting ways. All the characters struggle to do what they believe is right but they are certainly not perfect. Their flawed nature is well handled, making the character empathetic and intriguing. All the main characters are rounded and unique and with a large cast of characters, that was very helpful in keeping them all separate in my mind.

James Bartholomeusz writes with clear, evocative prose that pulls the reader into the story. His descriptions of the magic, settings and characters paint a vivid picture in the reader's mind without great, long descriptions that weigh the story down. His prose is fast and sharp, and the story reads quickly. THE GREY STAR is an excellent fantasy with unique characters who struggle not only to save the world but with the everyday choices of life. Filled with adventure, love, hope, and some really cool magic, I recommend THE GREY STAR by James Bartholomeusz for intrepid fantasy readers ten and up.