Review by Ian Keogh

To catch up, Allison Ruth was implanted with one of seven keys to the 777,777 universes, taken on an incredible journey during which she learned the truth about God and reality, and returned back to her apartment on Earth to discover the boy she intended to lose her virginity to was missing. Oh yes. She also arrived back in Book 1 with a massive great sword, and now seems the time to use it.

Book 1 was a fusion of mad Manga epic, Eastern philosophy and Tom Parkinson-Morgan’s ultra-detailed cartoon style art, packed with visual imagination and nutty designs. It was a relentless thrill rush from start to finish giving the reader no opportunity to stop and contemplate as one wonder replaced the next, all several hundred levels of power above what we consider God. As impressive as the constant rush of ideas was, Parkinson-Morgan has slowed down for Wielder of Names, allowing us to come terms with the situations and characters. While Allison is still very short on precise information, what she does know is that she has a power a lot of people covet, and even more fear. However, because she doesn’t know how to use that power she’s still prone to danger, and making agreements over matters she really doesn’t understand increases that. Still, she seems to have made a friend in fan fiction writer Cio Cioelle

Over the first volume it seemed as if Parkinson-Morgan was winging it, continually introducing new and more powerful beings as he dragged Allison from pillar to post, but now he’s slowed down the plot it seems he has a master plan to pull everything together. By the end of Wielder of Names some coalescing is taking place, as one of the seven ultimate Gods is communicating with Allison, and there’s been revelations about the others also, who have concerns of their own. Parkinson-Morgan dazzled with the art last time round, but here it serves his plot rather than disguising the lack of it, although as the sample page shows, there are still more than enough moments of breathtaking wonder. Allison is also being developed, from plucky lost lamb into someone becoming aware of her worth. Also key is the gender fluid angel from the first volume, set on a journey of transformation and possible betrayal.

Book 1 looked spectacular, and now Parkinson-Morgan is adding some depth to the writing. The world building is immense, and becoming clearer, while the art continues to impress inordinately, the combination making Kill 6 Billion Demons something to look forward to. Seeker of Thrones is up next.