Sorry, I've totally been stalking this conversation, but it's always good to find more Abhorsen series fans. I mean, seriously, where's the fandom? With a trilogy this good, you'd think it would be a little more active. >.>

And yeah... I'm with you on the evil brainwashed guys. I <3 Nick (and Kain, too, really). Poor guy. I'm glad he was featured more in Across the Wall. It was good to see him when he wasn't, you know, possessed by an ancient cosmic horror or acting like a know-it-all.