The Gathering Storm is a book full of surprises. Part historical fiction, part romance and part paranormal, it's a head-spinning and eye-popping tale of light and dark, good and evil, loyalty and treason, love, hate and everything in between. Russian folklore, Gothic creatures, crazy plot developments, gorgeous settings and a whole cast of magnificent historical figures - this novel has it all! Prepare to be dazzled!
Set in St. Petersburg in 1888, when the Dark Court rivals the Light Court and the perpetual power struggle leads to many convoluted conspiracies and schemes to take over the throne of Russia, The Gathering Storm tells the story of Katerina Alexandrovna, Duchess of Oldenburg, a girl burdened with a dark and dangerous secret. Katiya is a necromancer, she can raise people from the dead. She does not consider her power a talent, but a curse, and one that she is deeply ashamed of. Unlike her mother, she does not show particular fondness for seances, spiritualism and the occult. She dreams of becoming one of Russia's first female doctors, developing new cures, healing people. But a great and evil presence is growing in St. Petersburg. Behind a veil of glamour, the powerful faerie courts are plotting for control of the fate of the empire. An army of undead soldiers is being raised, rumors of dark magic are spreading, and the tsar's life is in a great danger. Katiya's powers attract the attention of both the Light and Dark Court, and she finds herself caught in the middle of a complicated love triangle that involves a brooding prince Danilo and handsome tsarevich, Goerge Alexandrovitch. The future of the entire Imperial Russia lays in her hands, will she make the right decision?
This was a really amazing book and I had so much fun reading it! Robin Bridges obviously did a lot of research for this series, and I was amazed at how historically accurate and detailed a world she created. At times, the astounding complexity of the plot (with its many intricate plot threads), as well as the head-spinning abundance of vibrant characters (both fictional and historical), comes dangerously close to crossing the line between genius and chaotic. And trust me, the line is very blurry. There's so much going on within the pages that it's practically impossible to keep up with all of it without drawing diagrams and family trees. Non of the characters can be dismissed as secondary and unimportant, everyone has a role to play, their fates intertwine with each other and if you lose your focus even just for a moment, you'll find yourself going back and re-reading certain passages, even whole chapters. I appreciated the note about Russian names and patronymics that was included at the beginning of the volume, it really helped me make sense of the many different names and diminutives that were scattered throughout the novel. I would, however, really like to see some sort of glossary included, as well. With so many creatures from Russian folklore (veshtiza witches, Grigori, Dekibristi, Vladiki, Bogatyr, etc..) making appearance on the pages of The Gathering Storm, I often had to consult my notes (yes I made notes, and a lot of them!) to make sure I'm getting everything right. All that can be a little bit overwhelming at times, but make no mistake - Bridges did not pick these myths and supernatural beings randomly. In the end, it all comes together in the utmost brilliant and jaw-dropping way. And, while it certainly is a read that demands 100% of your attention and a good memory for names (or at least a notebook and a pencil to write them all down), it is also a very well-thought-out and rewarding one.
While I loved the premise and the intricate plot line, Katiya was a hard personality for me to like. She's the kind of girl who likes to act alone, an independent spirit and a progressive thinker. While I can't say that these are bad things, more often than not these attributes of her character would get her in serious trouble. She insists on carrying the burden of her dark talent all by herself, internalizes all her struggles and pushes everyone else away. She doesn't want people to get hurt because of her and that's perfectly understandable, but at the same time, she is practically incapable of solving her own problems. She's full of conflicting feelings, confused as to what actions to take, at times even distracted and silly. For example, during one of the most dramatic scenes in the book, when Katerina is about to take part in the dark ritual (prince Danilo's ascension), instead of panicking (or even showing any visible signs of discomfort), trying to save herself or at least breaking down in tears, she swoons over her new pretty dress. And the dinner preceding the bloody ritual she's about to play major part in? She didn't think it was stressful or dramatic. Quite the opposite, it "was, overall, pleasant dinner" in her opinion. I must admit, I laughed out loud at least a few times. She wasn't the sharpest tool in the shed for sure and it was really hard for me to root for such a weak and dazed-out heroine. I wanted her to be more focused, to research her dark talent and perhaps learn how to control it, to speak up for herself, fight back, and not let everyone push her around. That never happened, though, and I felt that for a central character Katerina was just a little bit too silly and unmotivated.
To sum it all up: if The Gathering Storm sounds over the top, convoluted and confusing, it's because - for the most part - it is over the top, convoluted and confusing. It's also glamorous, thoroughly captivating and really fun to read. At times it's overly dramatic (in a way that is both annoying and charming at the same time), at times it hits serious notes about death, longing, life-changing choices and following your dreams. In the end, though, it's just a furiously entertaining, visually appealing, sparkly and deliciously fresh piece of literature. If, like me, you're fascinated with Eastern-European culture, history and mythology and you don't mind having to consult Wikipedia every other page, then this story is sure to bring you joy and satisfaction. Bridges' blend of history, fiction, paranormal and folklore is undeniably spellbinding, and the complex world she created is just as beautiful as it is dark, sinister and dangerous. While not without its flaws, The Gathering Storm is sure to make a huge impression on its readers, young adult and adult alike.
