Killing Rites

Hanover (a pseudonym for fantasist Daniel Abraham) continues the Black Sun’s Daughter urban fantasy series with this slow-paced fourth volume, sequel to 2010’s Vicious Grace. Ever since Jayné Heller learned that her rich uncle was involved with the occult, she has wielded strange powers and won many fights she shouldn’t have, which leads her to believe that she’s possessed by a rider, or demon. Jayné seeks out a priest who might be able to get the hidden rider out of her body, but when an exorcism goes wrong, Jayné realizes there is another rider lurking around—and that the demon inside her is the only one she can count on. Hanover’s descriptive writing vividly captures the beauty of New Mexico and gives the book plenty of creepy atmosphere, but the gradual buildup of the plot will leave some readers wishing for more action and less introspection. (Dec.)