W
Wintermask
March 22, 2026
A really, really good one!
This book returns to classic Derr, where everything is on point. The characters are great, with little of the recycling that she has been doing over the past years. The worldbuilding is back to being a strength, although the slang can be a bit cringe. It’s hard to write slang, though, and very few do it realistically, so this is a minor quibble at best. The plot shows imagination and moves quickly, with action scenes that are cinematic yet follow the world rules, whether virtual or real. Finally, the proofreading is actually pretty good. It has been abysmal lately, but again, this book returned to form, where the proofing isn’t perfect, but the book is very readable. If you read the Author’s Note at the beginning, you will see that this was a labor of love, paying tribute to beloved books and now bittersweet memories, as well as being a sad farewell. Respectfully, thank you, Ms Derr, for sharing this with us.