Okay, this is a good book. It has alot of action and stuff, even while it's cramming in a ton of characters. It doesn't quite have the element of the hive battle from Bionicle Legends 9 (you know, where Kopaka and his gang home wrecked Mutran's crib) but it still has some good battles going on. Plus, it's nice to see the whole story wrapped up in one place... the only thing that wasn't really well described in the book was Mata-Nui's rising, and let's face it, that certainly works better as a visual.

Anyway, who were the characters to watch here. Believe it or not, the Toa weren't on the top. The problem is, we've been watching this particular group for years (Taka a little less) We didn't get quite the same amount of character development (or whatever) for the Toa as we did in Bionicle Legends 10 with all the flashbacks. (Although there were a few references, including the Toa rediscovering the interior of the Cordex. It would've been real shocking if we hadn't just read about it in Bionicle Legends 10... but it was necessary all the same) The Toa had their good lines and good moves and good spirit-ness-stuff-es, but they were not what made the book shine. That was the Makuta.

I was disappointed with the Makuta in the previous books. With the exception of Antroz and Mutran, I felt none of them got enough limelight. Gorast just seemed a little braggy. Kriki said stuff that made him different from the others, but he didn't act that way at all. Vamprah was just... well, silent. They were background villains, just there to fight them "much cooler" Toa. They didn't get to use all their masks powers and show off their cool moves and all. Greg changed that here... and I liked the way he did things.

First of all, I loved Icarax in this book. In Bionicle Legends 9, he seemed a little off. I mean, sure, he challenged the fabled Mask of Life, and ultimate got totally owned. But there was nothing to suggest he was big bad bully, which was disappointing after vican spent so much time stressing about it. Well, Icarax made up for it in this installment, with a spectacular attempt to overthrow Terry's plan. And this brought out the best of other Makuta too. Krika showed where his true loyalties were... not with the Plan, that is. (I actually liked his method of taking down the field) Vamprah got to be the master of the sky by pretty much taking on Icarax alone and blind (for a time) And Gorast's plan made her all the creepier... something she totally did not pull off in Bionicle Legends 10 to this degree. I loved Icarax's death... totally epic.

The other Makuta didn't have as much glory to go out on. Krika's was just kind of sad... it showed how ruthless Gorast was, but for him to just fade away helplessly... sorry, Krika. Bitil got to die as a turncoat coward, the blindies just kinda got vaporized on the side, and poor Gorast just stood by and did nothing. Although Mutran got a nice kick-out. I wonder if he figured out something fundamental in his last moment, like "This could be enough to power a mobile universe!"

While I expected alot on Takanuva, I didn't get much. Why? Because I read his blog. Yes, that thing pretty much covers word for word what he does in the book... it adds in a few things here and there, and only skimmed over a few pieces of dialogue from the book. But, yeah, it's just a repeat.

And in the end... the "whoa, so totally unexpected ending to the Bionicle universe." Well, I was not surprised at all. How, you ask. Did I have a precognition of what Greg would be writing? (Or did I peak at the comic first? No, I actually read the book before I looked at the comic scans, sorry)

I mean, come on, Greg has been hinting for years that this will not have a happy ending. "What if Makuta wanted the Toa to think Takanuva defeated him." "What if he wants the Toa Inika to find the Mask of Life." "What if the Makuta want the Toa Nuva to wake Mata-Nui in Karda Nui, so they're going easy on him." Come on, since Bionicle Legends 4 where Zaktan finds that carving that says, "Makuta will let old MN wake up and then do something" I knew that the Toa would triumph, celebrate prematurely, and then fall into Makuta's next stage. Sure, some of the fine details evaded me... how was I supposed to know that he'd control Mata-Nui's body (which turns out to be the entire universe, go figure) and eject MN's spirit into the void that was neither here nor there (why didn't he just say space? It was spacy in the comics, why go so vague in the book?) And, the way I see it, the Toa Nuva are in pretty deep now, so I don't see how they'll fight back... better hope MN comes back, guns ablazing. (And you know he'll have guns, the target age group loves guns)

No, this book wasn't about the ending... it was about the really cool usage of powers, masks, and other tricks by the Toa and Makuta in Karda Nui, making it an exciting read all the way to the Toa's final escape. It kept a pretty speedy pace for the most part (why must we slow down for Tahu to confess... boring!!) and it was a good way to end the year. And we got to see our Toa Nuva, the guys who started it all (as Mata, mind you) in 01, finish things up.

Now, fore some quotes!

"So if we fail, everybody quick-dies. And if we succeed, everybody quick dies. Oh, those Great Beings and their wacky sence of humor." ~ Lewa

Unfortunately, Icarax's plans were about as subtle as an axe to the head and only half as interesting... Icarax's plan was daring, bold, and naturally, incredibly risky for someone other than him.

"What just happened? And that was repulsive - so how could we make it happen again?" ~ Mutran

"This is what you wanted, wasn't it? Toa consumed by darkness, Toa not hampered by things like mercy or morality. Well, now you can choke on it." ~ Takanuva.

"You, Vamprah, and Chirox would only slow me down. Find your own way home." ~ Bitil

"They lit this inferno. Let them burn in it." ~ Tahu

"Show myself, you insignificant flea? Look around, Tao Tahu - I am everywhere. I am everything you see." ~ Makuta (You know, Teridax.)