CRUCIBLE ZERO picks up right where the prior book, INFINITY BELL, left off. If you haven't read the first two books in the House Immortal series, I highly suggest you immediately drop everything now and start reading the series from the beginning. CRUCIBLE ZERO is definitely one of those books best appreciated in the context of the series as a whole.

In the prior book, Matilda Case and her friends fought to stop the Wings of Mercury experiment at significant cost to themselves. Now, Matilda finds herself living in an alternate timeline where all the relationships have changed. Unfortunately, Slater Orange is still wreaking havoc as various timelines are appearing and he is determined to do anything to destroy Matilda and everyone she loves.

I love the world of the House Immortal series and am truly sorry CRUCIBLE ZERO is the last book in the trilogy. Devon Monk has crafted a brilliant world, populated by feudal-like ruling Houses and a race of beings called the Galvanized. I never thought I would find a race of Frankenstein-like beings to be heroic, but Devon Monk takes this concept of stitched together beings and makes them both heroic and likable.

However, the most incredible thing about CRUCIBLE ZERO is that Devon Monk takes her spectacular world crafted throughout the first two books and turns everything upside down. Devon Monk cleverly uses the various timelines to keep the intensity level high as the tension continues to grow. I love how we have to relearn the world all over again as it kept me guessing as to how the relationships would change in this new timeline.

CRUCIBLE ZERO is the final book in a trilogy that has solidified Devon Monk as one of my favorite urban fantasy authors. Devon Monk is a master at crafting complex worlds and multidimensional characters. Devon Monk's vividly imagined world is one I have relished each and every visit and I highly recommend Devon Monk's House Immortal series to all urban fantasy readers.