Cover

The Scent of Shadows (Sign of the Zodiac, Book 1) by Vicki Pettersson

That said, The Scent of Shadows is clearly a beginning, for both its series and its author. The pacing of the novel is a little off, with Joanna spending too much of the second half in the Zodiac troop’s alternate-reality enclave, such that the ending arrives in a rush. Also, the secondary members of the troop are not yet as well-rounded as they really ought to be. But there is plenty to anticipate in future volumes. This book is at its best and most interesting when the world of the Zodiac intersects with mundane reality; one hopes that intersection will continue, and perhaps increase, as the series progresses. Joanna’s nature as a combination of Light and Shadow provides great scope for conflict, especially since she isn’t always a very likeable character; even in this first novel, she does some pretty reprehensible things — and, though she tries to justify herself, her reasoning doesn’t necessarily wash. And, of course, it would be great to see the plot twists remain a regular feature. The Scent of Shadows may have its flaws, but there is clear evidence that Pettersson’s series could become a superior example of its kind.

The SF Site Featured Review: The Scent of Shadows.