I will admit that it was rather odd reading this book. Ms. Ward has a very distinctive writing style that jumbles together slang, popular culture, etc. This felt very muted in Consumed. Also absent were any supernatural characters. I am not complaining, merely pointing out that this series is a dramatic departure from what most of Ms. Ward's loyal readers are used to. However, what is consistent is the attention to detail, character building, and multi-layered plots. Unlike many books that are the first in a series, Ms. Ward doesn't spent the book making sure the reader knows the entire life history of her characters. She knows she can introduce those aspects as the series goes along. So instead she gives us a great story that helps us see how her characters react under pressure and to each other in the middle of a fire. Oh, and there is a dog! A grey dog named Soot. I'm a sucker for a dog. I can't wait to see where the series goes!