It's a shame this series hasn't seemed to have caught on with readers. It's one I've enjoyed since I read the first few chapters of the first book. I don't claim to understand it all--at least not yet, but I have faith that the author will get us there and provide a satisfactory explanation about what is going on.

To me, there are some religious undertones in the book. The struggle between good and evil. What happens to your soul after you die? Can a soul be redeemed? There's a murky world that The Driver and others seem to inhabit from which they can cross over into our physical world--at least at times. Malveinous reminds me of Satan or at least one of his minions--planting doubts, trying to lead others astray, trying to obtain souls. Ozzel's reliance on Jiles reminds me of a cult, though I've yet to decide if Ozzel is a follower or trying to become a cult leader.

I don't remember the incident that the other two "spirits" recount to The Driver where he used children as part of his "murder that put him into the middle world". I'll have to go back to see if that was referenced before or if it's part of where the author is taking us. Perhaps accepting the truth about yourself is the key to finding or reuniting with "your soul". If I remember right, if that is accomplished, the being gets to move out of that "middle world".

Disclosure: I received a free ARC in exchange for an honest review. ( )