In this third installment of the action-packed Witch Season quartet, following Summer and Fall, Kerry finds herself braving the winter chill as she escapes from Mother Blessing's swamp and begins her search for Season Howe. (Readers of the previous two novels will already know that Mother Blessing is the powerful witch mother of Kerry's deceased boyfriend, Daniel; they will also know that Season is the Blessing Family's deadly rival and also the one who murdered Daniel; Kerry had come to Mother Blessing's after Daniel's death to learn witchcraft to help her defeat Season.) Kerry is more confused as she strikes out on her own. She has gained a small, but powerful, amount of skill with witchcraft. She knows that Mother Blessing is no longer an ally but a threat. She also knows that Season has a lot of information to offer if Kerry is willing to listen. Meanwhile, Kerry's three remaining summer roommates, Brandy, Scott, and Rebecca, all try to go about their lives but find themselves inextricably mixed up again in the witchy mess. Convinced that Kerry's been kidnapped by Season, they begin to track the two women with the unsolicited help of a simulacrum, one of Mother Blessing's dangerous and magical henchmen. When all are brought together, there is an explosive confrontation and no one is left unchanged. Fans of magical fantasies will enjoy this series, especially "girl power" fantasy fans such as watchers of television shows like Charmed or Buffy. These novels would be of interest to junior high readers but some of the series content and language would make them best for high school readers. KLIATT Codes: S—Recommended for senior high school students.2005, Simon & Schuster, 276p., Ages 15 to 18.