All of Parliament of Rooks beguiling mysteries have come to a head as Darius’ world burns down around him. Hell beckons. And it is a feast for the eyes. A world saturated in red and horror. It’s ambitions, however, don’t quite suit the medium. “Malphas’s domain pulled at my lifeforce like gravity pulls at men to hold them to the earth” is a great line but not something it manages to portray. And that is unfortunately fitting for the series. This is a thrilling conclusion, but even on my first reading its indulgences were a glut.

Malphas’ scheming is a delight but his proclamations and instistences remind me more of an old man who won’t shut up. And while I think that characterisation could work, I don’t know that it succeeds. This is the most dialogue heavy the series has been and the grandiosity of their exchange was at odds with the seriousness of the tone. That said, Darius’ mother is given voice at last and her conversation with him is a highlight of the series – sombre and sweet. His relationships and his losses are used excellently. A true strength of the issue and a joy to read.

Unfortunately after their confrontation the tone shifts again. Seasons is an apt name. It writes the years of Seraphina’s life more in implications, but so well that you understand the arc of the intervening years. I understand what this relationship means in the context of the story but an ending so saccharine neither fits nor is it believeable. Implication works, in the same way that a folk or fairy tale doesn’t need to describe the minutiae of itself, but you cannot redeem hell off-page.

I have enjoyed this series. I would recommend it. Even so, I wish it had lived up to its best moments.