It came for his father when he was 27 and killed him in a car accident. It came for his mother and drove her insane-again at 27. Now it’s coming for him.

Something about his last name and his twenty-seventh birthday suddenly make artist Alexander Rahl the target of uncompromising violence. While “The Law of Nines,” by Terry Goodkind is placed in the speculative fiction (science fiction and fantasy) category, most mainstream readers will enjoy it as well.

Now even mirrors aren’t safe, because he has enemies watching from inside. Not only can they watch, but they can jump worlds via a mirror. The book calls these beings “another kind of human.” A prophecy mentions Alexander through the Law of Nines. Now it’s just a matter of who can get to him first.

Urban fantasy is perhaps one of the more difficult sub-genres for any author to portray. The writer must balance the familiar with the otherworldly aspects that interfere with “normal” life in a way that doesn’t seem contrived. Goodkind masters this balance in a way reminiscent of the “Watch” series and Terry Brooks’ “Word and Void” trilogy with its somber undertones.

Goodkind, of course, is not new to writing fantasy. He also writes the expansive “Sword of Truth” series, which is still ongoing. Fans of that series will remember the Rahl last name. Goodkind also borrowed other elements from his “Sword of Truth” universe, which fans will recognize.

However, those who have not read the “Sword of Truth” series still are able to enjoy the book. Goodkind does a great job keeping the pacing tight and the reader grasping for answers with the characters. This is partially due to the nature of the antagonists Goodkind created.

As humans with magic, there is nothing that visibly differentiates them from anyone else. In many cases they are the person the characters least expect. Even though they lose their magical abilities in the crossing over, the antagonists are no less dangerous. Their search for power at the expense of everything else, using any means necessary, makes them truly evil.

Leading them is the vicious Radell Cain. While Radell is not actually seen until the last fifty pages, his presence is felt throughout the novel.

Alexander is the opposite of Radell and his followers. He is a levelheaded, kind man who views the world as it is. Not only that, he has a sense of humor. This is a welcome relief compared to many fantasy novels. Alex’s sense of humor make the funny exchanges between Jax and him pop.

Jax is a mysterious woman Alexander runs into. She’s otherworldly in her appearance and her grace. Jax is also “another kind of human” who intends to stop Radell from destroying her world at the expense of everything.

However, while the story is gripping, it is also intense. Goodkind immerses the reader thoroughly in the world he created. This includes the multitude of detailed fight scenes. Bone breaks and blood spurts in detail. With this immersion Goodkind also details other types of violence, such as torture. While this is used to show the reader just how evil Radell and his followers are, it may leave the reader unsettled.

Goodkind proved once again that he is a master of fantasy storytelling. From chapter one to the end he neatly completes every arc that he introduced.