With his final young adult novel in The Runestone Saga, Chris Humphreys builds upon an already engaging story and provides his readers with a highly satisfying conclusion. Possession picks up where Humphreys’ last novel, Vendetta, left off. Having freed his beloved cousin Kristin from the clutches of their diabolical grandfather Sigurd, Sky seeks to thwart Sigurd’s plans for everlasting life. If Sky and Kristin want to beat Sigurd, they must learn the secret of possession by travelling back to the past through ancestral bloodlines. Sky and Kristin travel back to midseventeenth century England to learn more about possession from Meg, an accused witch, and Matthew the Witchfinder who is determined to capture and punish her for heresy. Upon learning the secret of possession, Sky must face his grandfather in the present and in the past to put an end to his quest for power. This exciting novel is made up of an excellent blend of historical fact and fiction that captures the reader’s attention from the very first page. The characters are well-developed and they mature before the reader’s eyes as the story progresses. Humphreys has created a story that will appeal to both boys and girls alike. The themes of history, adventure, magic, time travel and family make the novel accessible to a wide audience. Though this novel can be read on its own, I highly recommend reading the first two books in the series – The Fetch and Vendetta – to fully experience what Chris Humphreys has to offer young adults.
Reviewed by Trevor Froates in Canadian Children's Book News
Fall 2008 VOL.31 NO.4