Conceal

According to Austin and Professor Coolidge the young man Nicole is to meet, grew up in an alternate dimension of Earth to her own. This dimension is reported to have no humans capable of channeling magic, that is, other than the new guy in their group, Jacob's. Nicole undoubtedly knows what its like to be ostracised for nothing more than being born, she hoped Jacob was not subjected to such treatment. It seems developing magical abilities in the place Jacob came from, has not only been idiosyncratic, it has also shaped the nature of his abilities, especially whencompared to Arete's. Jacob is distinguished by his ability to see what emotions a person is feeling. He can also tell if someone is lying, and even more bizarre and potentially world shattering, is his ability to time-see the past as well as transport himself and an another back in time.<br /><br />Although its not specifically a magical ability entirely his own, Jacob can 'key' through doors that open to other locations, much like the conceptual way mages and other magical beings can open portals. These unique attributes are surely why Coolidge sees Jacob as a theoretical and utilitarian goldmine. Jacob's ability to see emotions is conceptually similar to what it would be like to see a person's aura being coloured by the emotions they're feeling at any given point in time. Despite the analogy Jacob's abilities are very difficult for the younger members of the group to conceptualise.<br /><br />But on arrival at Collidge' office for their rendezvous, irrespective that the occupant looks like Coolidge, its a Croent that they find. The 'monster' is later discovered to have been sent by a new nemesis, Keitus, to steal one of the rarest artifacts Coolidge has wrangled and negotiated in order to obtain. Keitus was a tyrant and menace of the worst kind, he had managed to obtain a type of immortality. In his rise to power he'd killed millions and experimented on countless other people, leaving Coolidge and Jacob the unenviable job of dealing with him; hence the aforementioned 'was'. As Jacob employs his Time-Seeing ability to backtrack the Croent, who'd gone on to kill a Katon student during it's escape. Jacob finds evidence to prove the Croent met with Keitus to hand off the stolen item.<br /><br />The Talisman stolen is one of a group of items that when combined they have enormous magical strength, but individually are relatively inert and somewhat less appealing. An ancient group of mostly anonymous bearers have kept the relics separated across time and space to keep their abilities from being used to perform magical tasks, that for the greater good should not be permissible. Given Keitus' goal when he was alive was to find mechanisms necessary to obtain true immortality and god-like powers, it can only be presumed that in death he has not given up his cause. Coolidge knows of only one other bearer of a talisman. Thus the group have two problems they must solve quickly. As the relics are stored in the dimension of Earth that our ongoing protagonists call home, and is therefore likely to be the location which will sustain the greatest costs should Keitus succeed, they must attempt to recover the stolen Talisman, and perhaps also work on preventing the other Coolidge is aware of from being stolen. They must also seek out and/or ensure Keitus' body cannot be retrieved. If the knowledge they acquire is correct, Keitus will need his dead body if he is to work the combined magic of the talismans.<br /><br />Following their first altercation with Keitus its devastatingly obvious that regardless of Keitus' current state (of being dead), he is too much for them to handle without knowing more about the situation they're in. So it is that Nicole, Lizzie and Austin get to meet Royalty for their first time. The reigning rulers of the dimension Jacob was born in, but not where he spent the greatest majority of his upbringing, align with Nicole and her friends. Due in part to the considerable boon eradicating Keitus from his self-appointed despotic role served for their country and its people. Now knowing the importance of finding any missing knowledge there is, a subsequent expedition is arranged to visit an ancient library housed within the ruins of the county's previous capital. As much as they all enjoy a good expedition, something they're becoming well versed in doing, the danger, injuries and constantly missing school work does begin to get ahead of them, and has a greater affect on some. The combination of elements tiring some more than others, and leading others to begin wondering whether trouble will ever become a thing of the past.<br /><br />Not that it wasn't present in the first five books of the Mosaic Chronicles, Sci-Fi has certainly come to the fore in this sixth novel, Conceal. This Sci-Fi/Fantasy framework adds to the breadth of the storylines, with the alternating dimensions of Earth, each named differently, becoming part of the new focus. Anna Morse and her husband Robert were of course in a different, and much darker and more dangerous, dimension where many of the monsters associated with the things that go bump in the night derive from. Their situation began in Praxis, where it was Nicole's individualised story of that volume combining three separate tales; but it was an assumed aspect regarding the Great Ones back in book one. Awareness of what had actually happened to the building and street that disappeared at the end of Praxis, a yet further altercation with Greater Beings, didn't come fully to light until after Praxis, but since that time awareness has been present regarding the differing worlds. Herein we now see multiple access to worlds and locations not protected by warding against unapproved travel between dimensions.<br /><br />For readers like myself, those who've yet to read Andrea's Kilenya Series, Conceal offers a tantalising hint of what those novels might be about. That an otherwise relatively inert key(s), not unlike the set of keys Coolidge used back in the first novel when he tested applicants seeking a place on the team that headed to the Arches, recognises Jacob as an approved wielder suggests he's to have an increasingly important role in things to come from the Mosaic Chronicles. There's undoubtedly an interesting and intriguing history that came before his present age of seventeen, and his presence within the group. Austin's heckles and his green-eyed shadow are certainly piqued at the twinkle he's noticed in Jacob's eyes when he interacts with the lovely Nicole. Lizzie of course has no restraint in commenting on Jacob's good looks, much to the gaol-bait perception Nicole has when considering his age: even if there's only two-years between them.<br /><br />From what has been noted herein, that history includes some significant magical beings and Coolidge of course, who identified Jacob by his magical pulse early in the young man's life. Indeed, I wouldn't mind betting that like Nicole's experiences with the professor, Coolidge has similarly had an important role in shaping the way Jacob's paths moved throughout his life. Being the only human with a magical potential in a dimension of Earth that doesn't have humans with any sort of magical abilities, despite having a significant number of differing magical beings, suggests there might even be an important piece of information about how he was conceived that is yet to be revealed. Only time and further books within the Chronicles will answer that, or perhaps the Kilenya series mentioned above is where those clues are held.<br /><br />In my review of book five I noted my impression that one line of the plot was reaching it's assigned completion by Andrea, that of the struggles with Rebecca and the embryonic manipulator, but not necessarily the paths involving the various Great Ones or a reemergence of struggles with the Tarian organisation. It might be too early and presumptive to tell, but I get the definite feeling that that's what has happened. It only makes sense that this would be so if you consider how long the organisation might need to rebuild significant enough numbers and political or terrorist power to provide more than a cursory hiccup in our group's plans.<br /><br />I am a reader whom wholeheartedly believes there's a time limit that we can comfortably accept regarding certain aspects of an overall plot. Up to a certain point, which is undoubtedly idiosyncratic and therefore different for every reader, it is imperative nonetheless that certain aspects reach their orchestrated conclusions for interest to remain as enthusiastically in those pieces of any given series. There's obviously no concrete formulae for when these components should be tied off, they're considerably affected by what has taken place and what is needed for future paths to take affect. Refreshingly I'd like to reinforce my impressions that the Tarian conflicts have taken a back seat for at least the short duration, but not necessarily forever. There's at the minimum the events that surround Nicole's parents, and the barrage of letters Nicole is receiving following the portrayal of her spearheading the Tarian group; and the final conflict played out in the prior book.<br /><br />The new directions are filled with potential to take Nicole further toward obtaining her much sought after Silver status as an Arete, and the introduction herein of a hitherto unknown aspect of Nicole's importance to the magical societies across the many dimensions of Earth. The odd strands here and there where her hair is turning grey, on it's way to the highest status for Aretes, that of a silver, is confirming what we already know regarding her mastery of elemental magic. At the age of just nineteen, with an otherwise beautifully flowing head of naturally blonde hair, I'd be pretty sure Nicole would be sitting at a lonely table in the section for girls hoping their hair will change to silver-grey. She's now in the processes of completing some of the final requirements to be signed off as mastered Earth: this second mastery putting her roughly half way to her end goals. What comes next is anyone's guess, but it no doubt will be entertaining, enjoyable and captivating: as have the previous books one through five. If you're interested in savings then Andrea has made the beneficial move for readers of releasing a boxset containing the first five books, and has her own website where some free books in her series can be obtained. Reader's can't ask for much more than that!<br /><br />The direction this book has steered toward is proving itself to be refreshing, broader and exciting. The partial endings of each book of late has started to shift more toward cliffhangers, which although being effective as a technique to promote purchases of subsequent books, is a cautionary and slippery road largely depending on the sorts of resders an author has compiled. Some don't mind various degrees of incompleteness, but I'd predict there's a high chance that for every one who doesn't, there's one who does. The trend herein isn't of complete cliffhangers, aspects are tied off, and those that aren't do generate further interest. But as the number of individual books in a series climbs, I'm of the belief that cliffhangers should be stable at most, but decreasing to not all at best: freshness and new material tends to become more important for readers as the number of books in the same series grows.

I really enjoy this series. I was confused at first thinking I already read it. I may have beta read the first of it. It took me a chapter to remember and I did. Great job

Ok, some background here. I loved the first five Mosaic Chronicles books. When I finished the last of those (the excellent Reclaim) I was both pleased with how things were tied together and a bit bummed that there were no more. I put it on my tickler to check periodically to see if additions were written and then (confession time) forgot to do that. My bad - but the good thing is that when I finally did check there were three more bits of goodness to enjoy, Conceal, Obscure and Enshroud.<br /><br />I've now gone on a major binge read (the advantage, or disadvantage (?) of being on vacation and having the time to do so) and read Conceal, Obscure and Enshroud in a (relatively) single sitting. I had not planned to do so but they were too tasty to not do so. They even crossed over terrifically with Andrea Pearson's excellent Kilenya series (though you don't need to have read those to enjoy these books - the crossover is extra sweetener).<br /><br />I note all this 'cause that's in effect my review: if you enjoyed the other Mosaic books (and if you've not read them you've really got to - you're missing something really great) and like addictively good, fun reads, then all three of these books are definitely "must reads" and highly recommended.

Nicole thought that things might calm down and she and Austin could practice some magic. Well, when do things ever work out the way you want them to. When Nicole and Austin went to Prof. Coolidge's class to meet Jacob Clark, they see Prof. Coolidge throwing things around saying "I must find it". They realize it is not Prof. Coolidge. He finds the talisman and runs, killing someone in the process. This starts the beginning of a new series in the Mosaic Chronicle stories.<br />Nicole, Austin and Lizzie meet Jacob Clark another person from another PLANET. With Jacob's ability to key doors to get to different places, they start looking for all 4 talismans. They meet other people from Jacob's planet and learn about Kaede sap. The author, Andrea Pearson, gives us an exciting story with twists and turns. If your a fan of the author, I know you will really enjoy the story.

AND THE EXCITEMENT CONTINUES!!!<br />A wonderfully written, easy to follow, smooth flowing read with twists, turns and surprises that keep you captivated and frozen to your seat. I was hooked right from the start. With scenes so realistic and strong developed characters that's already familiar to me. With Andrea's intriguing imagination and a fantastic eye for detail made this read so vivid I had no trouble picturing it. Strong storylines continue in this volume as well. So much adventure and all the emotions in the forfornt, you can feel the excitement and vibration jump off the pages. Andrea did an exceptional job bringing this read to life.

Conceal is the sixth book in the Mosaic Chronicles series and the first to add characters from the Kilenya series, joining both of the author’s worlds. Being both a Kilenya and a Mosaic Chronicles fan, I found this book to be completely and totally awesome. The writing was excellent, the action was nearly constant and sometimes intense, and the imagination level was perfect. I very highly recommend reading this book. You technically don’t have to read any of the Mosaic or Kilenya books first, but I do think your enjoyment will be much greater if you have read at least one series, if not both.

This book begins a new story in the Mosaic series. After Nicole faces off against the Tarians in the previous books, she meets a unique teenager Jacob (from a previous series!). Professor Coolidge needs Austin, Nicole and even Lizzie's help to find a talisman that has been stolen. They learn about new dimensions and travel back and forth between them, even fighting monsters along the way! I loved how the beginning of this series Lizzie gets to be involved and help out and look forward to learning more about her beginnings! (Since I have already read her series separately!)

When a rare magical talisman is stolen, Nicole's life is headed for new adventures! Discovering that the talisman was created elsewhere, the group gets someone from another dimension of Earth to help in their quest. Lizzy gets more involved as her fire draws her into the action. Nicole has surprises in store about her magical future as she and her group travel more than the globe in search of their goals this time. Won't you join them? It will definitely be worth your tip!

I'm not normally a fantasy fan but I LOVE this series! I can't wait to find out what happens to Nicole and Austin and their friends next. And I love that Jacob has joined them, can't wait to read the Keys of Kilenya series next!

Conceal was a really fun, fast-paced read. Blending characters from two series, the Kilenya Chronicles and the Mosaic Chronicles, made it an interesting story. I can't wait to see what happens next! *I received a free eBook copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.<br />