The Gathering Storm

Katerina #1

by Robin Bridges

St. Petersburg, Russia, 1888. As she attends a whirl of glittering balls, royal debutante Katerina Alexandrovna, Duchess of Oldenburg, tries to hide a dark secret: she can raise the dead. No one knows. Not her family. Not the girls at her finishing school. Not the tsar or anyone in her aristocratic circle. Katerina considers her talent a curse, not a gift. But when she uses her special skill to protect a member of the Imperial Family, she finds herself caught in a web of intrigue.

An evil presence is growing within Europe's royal bloodlines—and those aligned with the darkness threaten to topple the tsar. Suddenly Katerina's strength as a necromancer attracts attention from unwelcome sources . . . including two young men—George Alexandrovich, the tsar's standoffish middle son, who needs Katerina's help to safeguard Russia, even if he's repelled by her secret, and the dashing Prince Danilo, heir to the throne of Montenegro, to whom Katerina feels inexplicably drawn.

The time has come for Katerina to embrace her power, but which side will she choose—and to whom will she give her heart?

Genres: Young Adult, Fantasy, Historical Fiction, Paranormal, Historical, Vampires, Romance

400 pages, Hardcover

First published January 10, 2012

About the author

By day, Robin Bridges is a mild mannered writer of young adult fiction. By night, she is a pediatric nurse, poking small children with needles for a living. She lives on the Gulf Coast with her family and an ever-growing menagerie of cats, dogs, tropical fish, and parrots. But alas, she still does not have a unicorn.

Reviews

[Truly Bookish · Rating 2 out of 5]

With the combination of historical and paranormal elements plus a beautiful cover, The Gathering Storm is the kind of book I adore. In theory. In reality, this book did not deliver for me like I wanted it to.

Prior to reading, I though The Gathering Storm was a historical novel with some paranormal elements, but it’s more of a paranormal novel in a historical setting. Almost all the characters are fey, witches, vampires, werewolves, zombies or necromancers with our main character, Katerina being one of the most powerful necromancers in Russia.

The historical setting of Tsarist Russia is wonderful: the balls, glittering jewels and gorgeous dresses and wonderfully described. Robin Brides also does a good job of introducing really interesting folk lore to the story line and for using real people from history in her story. These are the elements that I liked. Unfortunately, there are more that I did not.

Katerina has known about supernatural ability since she was a child but she has taken great care to hide it from everyone. She is a person of science, wanting to be a doctor, an occupation that was not thought to be inappropriate for a woman at that time. While Katerina is book smart and has bravely chosen and unpopular occupation (which I admire), she does some really stupid things.

She has a hard time believing that other supernatural beings exist even though as a necromancer, she is one of them. She is repeatedly warned about a certain family and seen members of the family doing evil things including hurt her own family and friends, yet she still hangs out with them so as not to upset them. Katerina is also specifically warned that a certain boy is evil and is given a talisman to help protect her from him, but she falls victim to him anyway because she only wears the talisman sporadically. She gets really angry at people who tell her she can’t be a doctor because she is a woman, but is annoyingly meek to the people who blackmail, kidnap, drug and use her as a blood donor for their crazy rituals.

Most of these issues stem from Katerina believing that she can fix everything herself and refusing to tell those close to her what’s going on or ask for help. I’m so frustrated with book smart girls who make dumb decisions and bury themselves in deeper and deeper. You know this girl, she has been showing up more and more in YA books lately.

I don’t like bashing books, especially from hard working debut authors, so I won’t keep nitpicking at all the things that frustrated me about The Gathering Storm. While it’s not a bad book, it had all the ingredients to be an awesome read, it just did not deliver for me. I think I’m so disappointed because I had such high expectations for it. If you read it without expectations, you will probably enjoy it more than I did.

Content: Kissing and violence.

[Torzilla]

I hate it when I look forward to a book, only to find that it was nothing like what I expected... and in a bad way. THE GATHERING STORM has an interesting premise, however, it disappointed me with its lackluster execution.

Let it be known that a few reviewers have stated on Goodreads that the second half of the novel is where things start to pick up, whereas the first half is dedicated to the numerous balls and social gatherings Katerina attends. Perhaps this is what ultimately contributed to my disappointment, since there is some info-dumping and an overwhelming amount of names that essentially bogged the story's pace down for me. Even with a lack of action, what truly made me give up was the following:

Way too much telling--to the point where I wonder how an agent or editor would be okay with it. Don't get me wrong, I have nothing against telling in a story, but after one reads so many blog posts and hears so much emphasis on "show, don't tell," only to publish books that do the exact opposite, it makes me wonder why they bother to preach it in the first place.

Coupled with the telling was a lot of glossing over of important details that would have otherwise made me connect with Katerina on a more intimate level. As it was, I felt incredibly detached from her narrative and wished that at any moment, something would click and I would get into the story.

It seemed like the start of this book was more focused on giving Russian history lessons instead of telling Katerina's story. And for some reason, I got really annoyed during the doctor debates between our protagonist and her family.

Finally, what was equally as jarring as all the information in such a short time was the seemingly random inclusion of paranormal creatures. First you get somewhat overwhelmed with technical terms/Russian customs, but then all of a sudden, there's talk of vampires and faeries. Even now, I still don't understand why they're being included, and I felt this was handled very poorly. I wish the history and the paranormal aspects melded together a bit more smoothly, but it didn't (for me).

I seem to be in the minority, so please do not take my review as the be all, end all when it comes to making your decision on whether or not to read/purchase this title. And remember: I did not read the entire book--this review reflects the pages that I did read. If it sounds interesting, read a sample chapter and then decide for yourself whether THE GATHERING STORM is something you will enjoy.

My Rating: DNF.

[Briar's Reviews · Rating 2 out of 5]

I've had The Gathering Storm by Robin Bridges on my actual bookshelf for over a decade. I kept wanting to read it but I never got the nerve to actually pick it up. Silly, I know, but I finally bit the bullet. The cover was so pretty and I just had a bad feeling I was hyping the book up too much since I thought the cover was gorgeous.

Katerina Alexandrovna, Duchess of Oldenburg, is a necromancer in Russia. There's vampires in Russia, and they are a dark force around Russia. Throw in the aristocrats, Princes, Princesses, and all the fun of being a royal trying to marry you off for power... You've got an interesting story.

I really like the paranormal aspect thrown in with a bunch of historical fiction about Russia. The Russian side of the story was done very well and you could tell there was research behind the actual lore and history of the tale. Russian stories aren't always told from a more realistic point of view, so this was a very nice touch.

This book wasn't my favourite and I do think I hyped it up way too much for my own good. The story is a fantastic start and especially for a debut! I did think the book was too long and at time had too much history and not enough substance. I wanted character interactions, conflict, and chaos. It mostly felt like complaining about Danilo and the other women instead of doing something. There is some insta-love to that feels forced even for a YA book.

I will be keeping an eye out for the rest of the series though. I think Robin Bridges crafted a unique tale that I still want to follow.

Two out of five stars.

[RD · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5: Basically, I'm fluctuating between a 'like it' and 'it was ok' rating.
The Good:
- I decently liked the main character. I stand by her for sticking to her unrealistic dreams.
- I enjoyed the ball scenes. This may just be the fantasy buff in me, but I could definitely visualize the court goings-on.
- The inner conflict about the necromancy was good.
- I hold historical fiction near and dear to my heart, and the fantasy element was nice.
- The romance was cute (if not downright convenient at times).

The Bad:
- This book is too long. Comparatively, it's the same length as many other books out there, but I felt like I lot of the waffling could have been tightened up. I lost my focus so many times, and I finished this book simply because I wanted to see if I could predict the ending.
- So.many.characters. I could keep straight the main 10 or so, but after that I got plain confused. Granted, I'm not in my best state of mind, but I did get fed up right in the middle.
- Katerina made me want to pull my hair out sometimes. Ugh, some of her decisions drove me crazy!

The Ugly:
- Sometimes all the politicking drove me crazy. I kind of got lost in the shuffle.
- Her mother drove me crazy! There's really nothing more to her than that she wants her daughter to marry up? And she posses such a hysterical character that she can't even stomach bad news without swooning? Really, now? To this I heave a very long sigh.
- Noble Idiocy. God, there's nothing more that I hate in movies, shows, and books than Noble Idiocy (yes, it deserves to be capitalized). Let me explain: Noble Idiocy is basically the concept of one character acting weirdly in ~mysterious ways~ that no one else can understand because he can't possibly fathom revealing his deepest,darkest secrets to those he should trust. Kind of like how Katerina couldn't tell anyone who could actually help her about her biggest problem because she would endanger them (to which I say, but she could tell her best friend? WTF?). Sorry, I just have very strong feelings about Noble Idiocy. I just find keeping secrets and acting furtive to protect your loved ones unbeknownst to them an unnecessary way to add drama and thicken the plot. It's also a bit presumptuous to assume that others want your protection from dark forces they don't even know about. Argh, I don't even know if I'm making sense...


Anyway, I'm not too interested in reading the sequel. Maybe I will out of curiosity to see how the romance works out. We'll see!

[The Book Queen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Here's a scenario for you.

You live in a world full of magic, faeries and vampires, Light and Dark Courts. You are warned that a dazzlingly attractive young man is incredibly dangerous, and you are told to stay far away from him for your own safety. You are also given a magical ring that will protect you from the spells he will try to cast upon you, should you ever meet him. Do you...

a) Stay the hell away from him and wear the ring at all times, or
b) Insist the ring has no magical qualities, even though a trustworthy source has told you it does, leave it under your bed, dance with the young man at a ball, fall under his spell, kiss him, and agree to marry him.

If you chose A, well done! You are one step closer to survival in St. Petersburg in Robin Bridges' The Gathering Storm.

If you chose B, you are Katerina, Duchess of Oldenburg, the pathetic, whiny, reckless, naive, gullible and just plain moronic heroine of this book. FAIL.

And that is my problem with this book. I can never read anything where I just want to throw a breadboard at the main character's head. The above example is just one of many I could have used, all of which illustrate Katerina's stupidity perfectly.

[Masako Lin · Rating 1 out of 5]

While it had some interesting concepts, the writing was pretty unpolished and at times dare I say come off as comical. I don't think the author did a good job of blending the paranormal fantasy elements with reality. The introduction of vampires, werewolves and fairies was just so strange I really couldn't take the book seriously at any given time. It almost felt like none of it was real (but it was actually!!) and that characters were just overtly superstitious. The plot itself is confusing and overly complicated for no good reason and characters are poorly fleshed out and feel like caricatures of stereotypes. I spent the whole night skimming through the book waiting for it to get better but it didn't. The only thing I can say is, give me my night back!!!!!!!! >(

[Katy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am very fascinated by the Russian era of the Romanovs so this book was a big hit for me. There were a few things that bothered me (see below) but not enough to drop it down to three stars - maybe more of a 3.5.

I was intrigued by not only by Bridge’s version of royal society but also her story about necromancers, vampires, witches, fairies and all the other paranormal elements.

Lately, I’ve been finding that I’m getting bored of paranormal because the storyline is always the same. I thought Bridge’s story had a unique spin from latest YA paranormal books out there. While the ending is not unpredictable, Bridges threw in a few twists and turns that did keep me on my toes.

And I liked the characters in the book. Katerina is a great heroine with dreams of her own but without the extreme feminist attitude. She was a strong character but not too feisty, and I didn’t find her whiny or annoying at all. I thought she was well written.

I would have also liked to see more of George because I think he had potential to be a really dreamy hero. However, I do appreciate that Bridges concentrated more on developing her story than wrapping her story too much into romance. Having said that, I hope I do see more of him in the next two books.

CRITICISM

One thing that did concern me was all of the people in the book. Oy! There were so many of them that I had a hard time keeping track of who was who, their titles and who was related to who. And everyone was named some version of Alex, and it got really confusing. A family tree would have helped, but at the same time, would it have ruined some surprises for us?

Also the first half and second half kind of felt like two different books. In the first half, you had a lot of socializing among royalty with a lot of balls. And there were a LOT of balls. You don’t see much action and the paranormal mystery unraveling until the second half. For me, it wasn’t too much of a burden because I’m fascinated by that stuff. However, because there were so many balls, I feel you may lose some of your readers’ interest if you drag out the socializing scene and don’t move a little faster to your story.

And I was also left with a lot of questions.

QUESTIONS – HERE’S YOUR POSSIBLE SPOILER ALERT

I felt Bridges only brushed the surface of her paranormal theories. When the Montenegrins tried to poison Princess Cantacuzene, they said they hadn’t realized she would be so different. I still don’t know how she’s so different from them. So Queen Milena was her half-sister whos mother was a commoner. Does that mean she’s less powerful than her sister? Is she the one that passed along the vampire genes to the children or does their father King Nikola?

And another thing I don’t understand is if Cantacuzene is over 100 years old and Milena’s portrait was “so many pregnancies ago,” what happened to the other children, and why now? Why is all of this happening 100 years later?

I was also confused about Konstantin. If Cantacuzene was the one who turned him, then why is he so powerful? Did he have fae blood too since George and his family have fairy sight. I understand that Cantacuzene is a woman and wouldn’t have much political power, but I’m talking about vampire power. Does Katrina’s blood add to his power in particular or is that just any dead vampire that she tries to resurrect? And on a side note, I never found out how Cantacuzene created the army. We know that Katrina had necromancer powers, but does Cantacuzene (is it part of her different vampire powers)?

I’m not sure if I missed it since I was so focused on Konstantin’s resurrection, but what happened with Danilo and his 18th birthday. Was this something where he just became a powerful vampire when he turned 18? What did he gain? How was Katrina going to help him be more powerful, or was she just for Konstantin’s resurrection.

LOL, I just wrote a whole new book myself. :P Despite my questions, I didn’t think Bridges left the book incomplete really. I just felt it would have added more to the book if I had those answers. Maybe I’m just overanalyzing?

I still really enjoyed the book though. I’m looking forward to its release, as well as the next two books. Hopefully, it won’t be another year for the sequel because I’m having a hard time keeping track of the family as is. :)

[rameau · Rating 5 out of 5]

Let's look at the blurb. The time and place:

St. Petersburg, Russia, 1888. As she attends a whirl of glittering balls...

That right there, ugh, I should hate it. On the other hand it's historical, which I absolutely love, but on the other hand it's Russia and we Finns have a long history with Russians. On the other hand, it's Imperial Russia and the tsar is the son of Alexander II who we Finns love, never mind what he did to the rest of his subjects, we love him. (If you're interested to know why, look it up.)

Oh, and the neverending balls, ugh. I should definitely hate this.

...royal debutante Katerina Alexandrovna, Duchess of Oldenburg, tries to hide a dark secret: she can raise the dead. No one knows. Not her family. Not the girls at her finishing school. Not the tsar or anyone in her aristocratic circle.

And here we have the main character, the girl with the first person voice (another strike against the book by the way), and she's keeping secrets. The undead kind. I should definitely hate this. Paranormal and I have a rocky history and there's a reason why I prefer character driven romances without the supernatural element. The authors of paranormal stories tend to either forget the character development focusing on the plot, or they overindulge in the so-called destined to be life altering soul connection love affair that the two lovers don't actually have anything to do within the book.

Not the case with this one. I actually fell in love with Katerina's voice. She's both the product of her upbringing–an obedient loving daughter whose sole purpose in life is to marry well and have children–and a headstrong girl dreaming of a life and career of her own healing the sick. She has a good head on her shoulders, which recognises when she's in trouble. She knows when she should be smarter, when to run away, and when to stay and fight. Oh, and she detests balls, but she participates because that's what good girls who love their parents did in 1880's.

Katerina considers her talent a curse, not a gift. But when she uses her special skill to protect a member of the Imperial Family, she finds herself caught in a web of intrigue.

The hook. There's a healthy dose of self-hatred and insecurity in Katerina, but that doesn't stop her from using the part of herself she hates to do something she feels is right. She has a sense of duty to her tsar and to her motherland that supersedes her self-interest even when it could be hazardous to her health. Speaking of hazards...

An evil presence is growing within Europe's royal bloodlines—and those aligned with the darkness threaten to topple the tsar.

There's a presence and it's evil. There's the plot and there's plenty of it; it's not just a love story. There's little else I can say without spoiling the book and I really don't want to do that. I think I loved this book as much as I did partly because I knew so little about it beforehand. I'd just barely glanced at the blurb. So, I think I'll let you discover it for yourselves.

Suddenly Katerina's strength as a necromancer attracts attention from unwelcome sources . . . including two young men—George Alexandrovich, the tsar's standoffish middle son, who needs Katerina's help to safeguard Russia, even if he's repelled by her secret, and the dashing Prince Danilo, heir to the throne of Montenegro, to whom Katerina feels inexplicably drawn.

I know what you're thinking. It's not that. I promise you, it's not. I hate the fact that the blurb makes it sound like there's going to be a love triangle in this book, because there's not.

True there are two young men dancing around Katerina–or letting her dance around them, remember the balls–but the actual love story part is told like it should be:

It starts with mild dislike and deference. As circumstances–the actual plot–keep bringing them together a tentative rapport emerges, and feelings change. There are light touches and longing glances as well as fits of anger and disagreements. There's still much keeping them apart–for a good reason and not for one of those let's make a flimsy excuse why they can't be together–but their love for each other is clear.

It's all deliciously subtle and romantic. It outshines all the star-crossed instant love romances making gentle mockery of them all. Or maybe that's just how I read it.

The time has come for Katerina to embrace her power, but which side will she choose—and to whom will she give her heart?

Ugh. It's not a love triangle.

There were things I didn't like about this book too.

The name dropping. I'm assuming it was done to paint the era and to show that the author had actually done her research, but all it made me want to do is to go peruse Wikipedia to verify the facts. Pasteur, Pavlov, and the rest are happy to report I was too lazy to actually do this.

The silly, silly rituals. I know it's to be expected but all mysterious rituals become ridiculous when you become part of them, even if it's only through a terrified non-believer character.

The abundance of supernatural creatures. Some were only hinted at, others were prominently used, but the sheer number of them meant that none of them were thoroughly utilised or examined. For one, I still don't know what exactly can a necromancer do. I expect this is a part of the bigger journey Katerina and I will have to take together.

The occasional stupidity and inactivity of the main character. But unlike many other heroines, Katerina at least was self-aware, most of the time. She recognised when she was being stupid or silly.

Remember that this is a trilogy and though the story is finished without any cliffhangers, the characters themselves are left in a sad but hopeful place.

You can also read this review on Sandra's My Reading Nook-blog.

I received an Advanced Reader's Copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

[Giselle · Rating 2 out of 5]

Katiya cries a LOT. I didn't understand how her thoughts were all over the place. How she wanted to get into university to become a doctor, her defiant relationship with her mother, her dislike for the other princesses. There was an instant love connection with Danilo and it was inevitable that Katiya knew she was under a spell. Robin Bridges did an excellent job of portraying a teenager in love or lust in this case. One thing I did notice was the constant swearing in French. Maybe if she mentioned that Katiya was learning French then it would make sense, but there was no mention at all.

Her mom reminds me of Elizabeth Benett's mother from Pride and Prejudice. Meddling and constantly thinking of getting her daughter married and not what she wanted to do with her life. Maybe that's a modern day thought process but I still found it vaguely annoying.

There's too many characters to remember. I had a lot of trouble just remembering everyone's names. It also didn't help that there were two names for every person. Some were even nicknames.. A list of the characters and which house they come from would have helped me a lot.

Revenants, vampires and werewolves all in one book? I didn't understand why there was an out-pour of paranormal and fantasy creatures. Maybe if it was just about one specific creature than I wouldn't have felt so lost. I wished there was a glossary page so I could understand who and what the characters were. The annoying main character made me forget about what the plot was about so I couldn't even concentrate on what was going on because of m dislike for Katiya.

I wanted this one to work. It had a premise that was vaguely interesting but it failed to live up to my expectations.

[Dark Faerie Tales · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review Courtesy of Dark Faerie Tales

Quick & Dirty: The politics of Romanov Russia are brought to a new level–the Dark and Light Faerie courts, intertwined with the Imperial family, are threatened by vampires. The dangerous and multi-layered court life is brought to life in this historical paranormal.

Opening Sentence: Our family tree has roots and branches reaching all across Europe, from France to Russia, from Denmark to Greece, and in several transient and minute kingdoms and principalities in between.

The Review:

Katerina first introduces us to the Imperial Court at a St. Petersburg ball and the world only evolves to become more politically intricate from there. It seems like everyone is a prince or a duke and can claim a long line of royal titles. Thankfully, there’s an author’s note in the beginning that explained the Russian naming system, because I would have been so confused without it. As it is, almost everyone in the royal family is a cousin. Given the complexity of the world and the multiple titles, both paranormal and royal, that she was working with, Bridges did a great job keeping everything straight.

The Light Court has the empress as it’s faerie queen, while the Dark Court’s queen is duchess Miechen. Miechen’s husband Vladimir is next in line to be tsar, making the duchess and empress mortal enemies. But people over the city are being killed by poison and there seems to be no pattern or reason to the deaths. When vampires begin to infest St. Petersburg again and the undead are rising against the tsar’s secret Order of Knights, the courts will have to put aside their differences and find a way to deter an even more dangerous foe.

In comes Katerina. She hides her power of necromancy from the world, but in a faerie court there’s no way to hide her dark aura. After reanimating her mother’s beloved cat at the age of ten Katerina has never used her powers again. They scare her and they’re dangerous–not the raising of a zombie that wants to eat flesh, but the fact that it’s dark magic. After all, they still burn witches in Russia. She wants to save people by being a doctor, not by forcing corpses back to a half life. This necromancy, evil as it is, might be the only thing she can use to save the tsar from his enemies. The royal family begins to reveal secrets Katerina couldn’t have guessed at. Whatever chaos is descending on St. Petersburg, she’s caught up in the middle of it.

The evil that’s sweeping the city is forcing Katerina to make impossible choices. There’s Danilo, the charming crown prince of Montenegro–everything her mother’s always wanted in a suitor. But his sisters have a reputation for being sorceresses, and though Elena is Katerina’s schoolmate, they’re far from friends. She caught Elena trying to place a spell on the tsarevitch (crown prince) and destroyed it before it could have any effect. Elena and her sister’s have a plan for the imperial family and their father is the tsar’s closest ally. Katerina has to find out whom to trust, what’s the truth, and who’s playing her before someone dies from their mischief.

But this caught the attention of George Alexandrovich, the tsarevitch’s younger and more astute brother. George believes Katerina to be evil and she doesn’t dare point the finger at Elena, who might soon be the tsarevitch’s betrothed.

Bridges has woven the world of supernatural and historical Russia together tightly. The fusion of facts and fantasy is cohesive enough that it was easy to suspend reality and fall into this treacherous world. There are so many pieces to the plot to be puzzled together at the end that I wound up being perfectly satisfied with the ending. (Not that I don’t want more. I do, preferably right now.) Bridges did a great job of juggling a large cast of characters that could easily have become overwhelming, but instead became memorable.

Notable Scene:

The princess’s face was inscrutable as I passed her. “Always remember, Katerina Alexandrovna. No one has allies in this city. There is no one to trust but yourself.”

I found Miechen sitting in her chair, looking a little paler than usual. “Are you alright, Your Imperial Highness? Can I do anything for you?”

She shook her head. “I’m fine. I thought you had left.”

“My aunt left her gloves.” I spotted them on the chair where Zina had been sitting. I hoped the grand duchess did not want to continue with the seance now that Cantacuzene was gone. “Are you quite sure you are well?”

The grand duchess’s smile was frosty. “You are very kind, Katerina Alexandrovna. But the princess was right. There are no allies in this city. It’s every creature for his- or herself. And you will stay alive much longer if you remember that.”

The Katerina Trilogy:

1. The Gathering Storm

2. The Unfailing Light


FTC Advisory: Random House/Delacorte provided me with a copy of The Gathering Storm. No goody bags, sponsorships, “material connections,” or bribes were exchanged for my review.

[nick (the infinite limits of love) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read more of my reviews at Nick's Book Blog

I went into The Gathering Storm not really knowing what the book was about, so I was very much surprised to learn that this was a paranormal book set in historical Russia. While I thought the concept was fairly unique, I came across a few issues that prevented me from fully relishing the book.

The Gathering Storm tells the story of Katerina Alexandrovna, in the year 1888 in St Petersburg. A debutante, her schedule is full of balls and other social events. But Katerina has a deep secret that no one knows ; she has the ability to raise the dead. She has managed to keep the secret hidden from everyone ever since she discovered her "gift", but when Katerina attempts to save the life of a member of the Imperial Family, she attracts the attention of evil.

There was a myriad of characters in The Gathering Storm, making the book at times very excruciating to read since I couldn't remember who was who. Moreover, they had similar names, so I couldn't help but muddle the characters up. When reading a book, I don't like feeling confused because then, it makes reading seem like a chore. At times, I had to go back to find out if I had previously encountered the characters. Needless to say, I didn't enjoy that aspect of the book at all. Katerina was an interesting character. She had dreams and hopes, most of which were obstructed due to the fact that women in that era were expected to be the home-makers. What Katerina craved for more than anything was to be a doctor and find cures for many incurable diseases. In that way, Katerina was a strong and level-headed young woman. She knew what her goals were and she never let anything prevent her from reaching her goals. Even knowing that her path to becoming a doctor would be full of thorns, she pushed herself to limits to achieve her dream. It was easy to see her determination and fully appreciate it. Being a Necromancer wasn't something that Katerina wanted. In fact, she thought of her gift as a curse. Because of that, it took her a while to fully embrace her abilities. One thing I didn't really like when it came to Katerina was how she always seemed to get into trouble, but would never do much to get out of them. She waited for others to find solutions to her problems. Therefore, I lost my respect and admiration for her when that happened. Some of the secondary characters were well-fleshed out and beautifully written, but there were others whose characters were simply glossed over. I attribute this to the multitude of characters, making it rather tough to describe lengthily in a span of 386 pages.

The plot of the book was enigmatic, in my opinion. There's a lot going on in the story, so it's very entertaining. Vampires, werewolves, zombies, sorcerers, necromancers all formed part of this book. It was exciting and absolutely enthralling. I also adored the setting of The Gathering Storm. The author depicted St Petersburg lifestyle in a vivid and beautiful manner. For me, it was easy to picture the setting. However, I wasn't very pleased with the pacing of the story. I wanted it to be a little more fast paced than it was. There were times I was truly bored with the endless balls, so I believe some scenes could have been cut off. Moreover, I thought the book was lacking in action-packed scenes even with all the possibilities it possessed. There was a romance, as well, in the book, but it never took first place to the plot. Instead, it remained in the sidelines and slowly blossomed at a nice speed. Robin Bridges is a fabulous writer. Her writing is very captivating and managed to pull me in from the very first page. She has a way of giving life to her book that made reading it very much enjoyable.

In the end, I found that I had a great time reading The Gathering Storm. I'm excited to get to the next book and to resume my adventures with Katerina. The Gathering Storm brought a fresh twist to the YA historical fiction. If you're looking for something unique and original, definitely give this book a shot!

[Alan · Rating 2 out of 5]

The short review:
1. To me the female lead (Katerina) isn't a strong female character.
2. There are just too many "beings" in the story.

I liked the idea and setting of the story, Russia during the imperial period, with Faberge and Tchaikowsky and Tostoy. Although there is an endless list of imperial titles.

Katerina, while she starts out looking and feeling like a strong female lead with her desire to become a doctor and continue on in her education, as the story progresses she has too many instances where she both desires to be rescued by a "knight in shining armour", and is rescued by a strong male lead.

I have strong feelings about fantasy stories and believe that a story with this many "beings" (vampires, werewolves, necromancers and more) needs to be an epic fantasy, a book of up to 1000 pages in order to introduce the main character followed by all the side characters. A YA book or this size, even if it's a trilogy, doesn't work for me unless all the "beings" followed very traditional settings and roles, which they don't in this story.

[Kat (wanderfulbooks) · Rating 1 out of 5]

The plot was intriguing and the setting was enchanting but I found myself counting the pages til the last page. I found the main character annoying because of her indecisiveness and her misplaced noble acts. I found her logic and her actions contradictory and based too much on her unreliable and fast changing emotions.

I also found the writing style too distracting. I felt like I was listening to a speech which kept getting cut short every after 5 words. It was annoying. I think the story flow would have been better if the writing style was changed.

Despite that, I trudged on because I still somehow wanted to know what would happen. The Grand Duke George, for me, was the only good thing about this book.

[kiwi · Rating 2 out of 5]

I think the concept is full of potential, but the overall product did not impress...

It feels almost like the Russian version of the Gemme Doyle books, and could have been excellent, but has too many "cooks in the kitchen" plot-wise.

[Hilda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Young duchess Katerina Alexandrovna has a wonderful gift of necromancy which she regards as a curse. The gift/curse makes her wanted by both dark and light powers. The Tsar’s second son, Grand Duke George, deduces Katerina’s power and reminds her ‘nicely’ not to ever use her dark power. The crown prince of Montenegro, the gorgeous Prince Danilo, wants Katerina for his own agenda, which is suspiciously involved with blood sucking. Katerina has to learn how to waltz among the dark and light faerie court, old vampire clans who want to take revenge on the Tsar, and unconsciously-raised living dead… all without falling for the charm of the charming Prince Danilo or off-limits Grand Duke George.

First of all, this book is set in Russia in 1888. Can’t go wrong with that beautiful time, right? There are so many balls and gowns mentioned to satisfy my obsession. I love the vivid and beautiful description of the setting. It’s very easy to imagine myself taking a walk in the woods, breathing the frosty air and savoring the cold beauty of winter in Russia.

There is something fascinating about historical fiction. Although I tend to get headache in desperate attempts of remembering their strange names and deciphering the unfamiliar words, I always have pleasure in reading historical fiction. Maybe it’s the complicated yet mesmerizing protocol, the way the characters speak in perfect manner and veiled words. I’m a lover of words, so I always appreciate a play of words. But maybe another cause of my fascination is the perfect gentlemen’s acts in historical fiction. Call me weird, but I melt whenever the hero takes the heroine’s hand and kisses it. There’s a reason I adore Mr. Darcy.

The Gathering Storm is a book that I wished there would have been more romance inside. It’s more focused on Katerina’s power, her fear for her family and friends’ safety, and her detective work on finding the main threat of the Tsar. Aside from the lack of romance, I really like the paranormal aspect of the book. It’s very interesting to see how the author, Robin Bridges, mingles history with Russian legends.

I like Katerina. She’s lovely, smart, and very nice. She wants to be a doctor and I feel bad for her that woman at that time in Russia is not permitted to. However, sometimes I’m exasperated by her pessimistic view of life. She refuses to ask help to people around her because she’s afraid of endangering their life, even when she’s stuck in a very difficult situation. Her romance with Prince Danilo is a sort of enchantment, while the relationship she has with Grand Duke George is more natural. George is very stubborn yet I can’t help falling for him. There is no insta-love in their relationship. Mon dieu. Not with George keep catching Katerina in shady states.

In overall, I did enjoy The Gathering Storm immensely. There are so many things to love in this book, yet I finished it feeling like there’s something missing. The story could be something… more. More action, more developing characters, more surprising twists, and a conclusion! The first book of this trilogy feels like the promise of the storm ahead. Well, definitely the gathering of storm. However, I hope you would give this book a shot, because it’s full of amazing premises and likeable characters. I definitely can’t wait to read the second book of this trilogy, The Unfailing Light!

I shivered, feeling nothing but the bitter cold. I was certain that, witch or no witch, Elena would not do anything foolish. But as I looked back across the line of sleighs, full of excited young girls, I had a terrible vision. A brilliant bluish-white light illuminated each girl’s face.

This vision was, unfortunately, very familiar.

Death would be dancing with us at the ball that night.

I crossed myself and prayed it would touch no one I loved.

[Alanna (The Flashlight Reader) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well, I'm not sure what to think of this one. I should have expected an element of paranormal based on the synopsis, but I didn't anticipate the direction of this one. If Buffy the Vampire slayer went back in time to tell history, that would describe my impression of the book. Now don't get me wrong, it wasn't a terrible read... but it wasn't all sunshine and rainbows either.


I loved the setting. Russia in the 1800s is a fantastic setting for a story. There is just so much that could be done with that setting. You don't get a large sense of what Russia was like during that time because the story focuses on the royal families. They are kind of "just there" doing whatever it is uber-rich people in 1800s Russia do: fancy balls, trying to impress nobilty, etc. There wasn't alot that made me tingle and get excited beyond the physical setting of the book, except for the MC herself. She wasn't the greatest female character ever written, but she had many positive aspects. First, she was super smart in a believable way. Love that. In a time where girls only focused on finding a husband, this chick wanted to be a doctor. I loved her determination. She pretty much told the men in her life to screw off because she was going to medical school, whether they agreed with it or not. It was pretty awesome. Her dad was supportive of her ambitions, which I thought was a nice touch.


Then there is the paranormal factor. Obviously, the girl can raise the dead. I knew that, even if the MC didn't. The purpose of raising the dead was unclear. Katerina thought it was a curse, so she tried to keep it a secret. Others thought differently of her abilities, which caused the majority of the conflict in the story. The paranormal aspect of the book was a bit over the top. You had Russian courts that sided with either the light or dark faeries. (Yep, there were fae in the book.) The dark court had vampires and witches. Very random, but a huge element in the book. At times, keeping up with the different types of vampires was confusing and difficult. It read like a Who's Who book of vampire lineage. There were also "zombies"-- warriors rasied from the dead by an evil vampire queen to fight the current tsar. Oh, and there was the lone werewolf. You never find out about the wolf, but you can guess who it is. Again, very random.


The plot was fairly well developed. It was consistent and fast-paced throughout the novel. You can tell it will be a series because the ending left a lot of loose ends to be dealt with. The evil vampire empire is destroyed, but they are pissed with the current situation they have landed in. You know they will be back. Konstantine's ghost isn't destroyed and can't be found, so it's also pretty likely he will be back in the next book. I did like that the MC, Katerina, and her love interest don't end up all gushy and romantic in each other's arms. The relationship between the two seems to be slowly developing and will continue in the next book. I am certain of that.


I can't decide on what "score" I would give this one. At first I said a 2 because I didn't feel much for the story or characters. I never made a connection to anyone in the book, so I didn't really care what happened in the end. But then I looked at other books that I rated a 2, and felt that might be a bit harsh for this one. It wasn't a painful read, and I sped through it like Speed Racer. My eyes didn't bleed from the experience, so I felt like a 3 was a more fitting rating. This one was "ok"-- I don't feel like I wasted hours of my life reading it. At the same time, however, I am glad I didn't pay for this book. I would not rush to the store to buy a copy. Wait for this one to hit the local library shelves.

[Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Gathering Storm is the first in the Katerina Trilogy by Robin Bridges. The trilogy blends historical fiction with the paranormal, and is set in St. Petersburg, Russia, in the late 19th century.

Bridges immerses us in an evocative setting. The pageantry of the Russian court is combined with that hard-to-describe fairy tale mood. Even though we see through the eyes of a heroine who doesn't really like all the pageantry, we are swept away into a world that is elegant but filled with dark secrets.

Katerina has an innate talent for necromancy, and is sought after by a family of evil witches and vampires who want to use her ability for their own ends. In addition, she's a debutante of noble blood and is supposed to be looking for a husband in the social whirl of the court. She also has an interest in medicine and dreams of going to becoming a doctor -- something unusual but no longer unheard-of in her time. Any one of these plot threads could make a good novel. Any two of them could make an interestingly complex novel. All three of them start to feel a little "kitchen sink." There simply isn't enough page space to do justice to all three of these ideas at once.

I'm also not in love with the way Katerina's intelligence is presented. She has the variety of fantasy-heroine intelligence that seems to come bundled with a disdain for dresses and parties, and this is something of a cliché. It doesn't help that she describes her beloved medical books as "dry" in her own narration. Sure, everybody else might think they're dry, but why would she think that when this is her passion? It reads as trying too hard to set her apart from the other young women in the novel, who read fiction -- which Katerina also disdains. Meanwhile, she exhibits a lack of intellectual curiosity about the most urgent subject on her plate, her magical talent. When given a book that could help her harness her powers, she refuses to look at it until her cousin finds it and points out something useful in it.

Back to the kitchen-sink feel, this is exacerbated when we abruptly learn that a large portion of the Russian court is composed of faeries, and that this is a well-known fact. It seems like overkill since (at least so far) it's not needed for the plot to work, and it's introduced in a jarring fashion. One moment we think we're in a "hidden magic" novel where the real history will play out the way we know it and the supernatural elements will work behind the scenes. The next moment, we're in an "open magic" story that might not follow the real history at all.

That said, while the openness of the magic appears abruptly, it may turn out to be a positive for the series. It opens up a wider range of plot possibilities, because now Bridges need not limit herself to what really happened. For example, people who died young in real life need not do so in the fictional universe.

I was often frustrated with The Gathering Storm, but found the setting fascinating and beautiful, and am curious about how Bridges will proceed with her interweaving of history and magic. I will probably read book two, The Unfailing Light, but won't rush to get it.

[☕️Kimberly (Caffeinated Reviewer) · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Gathering Storm is the debut novel of Robin Bridges and the first in her Katerina Trilogy. Bridges' paranormal novel delivers, from the historical aspects of Russia to the supernatural. This was a delightful tale of vampires, fairies, werewolves, witches, necromancers and other supernatural creatures. A combination of Russian history and folklore make this an exciting, addictive read.

The protagonist Is Katerina Alexandrovna, she is the Duchess of Oldenburg, residing in Russia during the reign of Tsar Alexander III. Katerina is a necromancer, but she views this as a curse. She attempts to hide her gift and wants no part in using the ability. Once as a small child she used it, to save her mother’s cat, but she quickly realized the cat was wrong. Since she hasn’t even told her parents her secret, she understands very little about her ability and is fearful to share it with anyone.

Katerina is attending finishing school. A school which is more concerned with ballroom dancing then studies. Katerina longs to attend medical school at a time when woman are banned from being doctors. Her dearest friends are more concerned with catching the eye of the highest titled and richest young man. Katerina has been inspired by the first woman in the field and daydreams of going abroad to study. Alas, she has been born to an era where alliances and families’ incomes are dependent on securing good marriages for their daughters.

In a world filled with balls, gorgeous gowns, ballet, and musicals there is a dark underbelly filled with witches, vampires, werewolves and Fae all vying to secure their place. Katerina attracts the attentions of a powerful family, when she uses her gift to save a member of the royal family. As this family attempts to secure power, they use their skills to lure Katerina. Their young son uses his power and threats to woo her. At the same time she attracts the attentions of George (the Tsar’s middle son). He pledges to keep her safe, but she is constantly getting herself into trouble trying to solve things, and of course the young vampire Prince Danile wants to make her his bride.

The tale that unfolds is captivating and complex. People are being poisoned, guards are being murdered and bodies are rising from the dead. As Katerina struggles to uncover who is causing these attacks, she finds herself caught up in the middle of things. When she is offered help by elders, she finds herself confused as light fights dark. With Prince Danile and George breathing down her neck, can she save the royal family before it’s too late?

There is romance or the hint of it in this novel, but delightfully it takes a backseat to all the suspense, plots, and supernatural events. This book completely captured me, and it was delightful to see young Katerina come into herself and protect those she loves; even at great sacrifice to herself. I found other characters to be delightful as well. I liked George, and Katerina’s friends and even the dreadful Princess Elena.

[Kara-karina · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5/5
I always approach authors writing about Russia or Russians with great trepidation, because there are very few of them who really know what they are talking about. The majority is happy with dancing bears and rivers of vodka. Robin Bridges, on the other hand, I loved!

I know a lot of people complained about difficult names and bizarre ceremonies, but to be honest, I haven't noticed any of that. Robin Bridges took a beautiful period in Russian history on the verge of great changes and created something magical and enchanting, twisting this or that historical detail to make it all look authentic.

There are secret societies and complicated treaties between vampires and fae living in St.Petersburg. Tsar Alexander is ready to go through a ritual which allows him to become an avatar of a legendary warrior to purge the country of a great evil slowly surrounding his capital. The vampiric Royal family from Montenegro is hoping to charm and ensnare Alexander's son to grab the power in Russia and inadvertently they awaken an ancient evil... Young cadets from aristocratic families, the personal guard of the royal family die one by one in gruesome attacks by a monstrous wolf and then come back as an army of living dead, and only young Katya with her unique gift of necromancy can stop all of these forces.

Katya is a riot, impatient, intelligent, with an impossible dream of becoming a doctor, loyal to her family and fiercely protective of her friends. She hides her gift of necromancy all her life thinking it's evil and shameful, but when she spies a Montenegro princess trying to put a love spell on a tsar's oldest son, she uses her gift to disrupt it and then attracts attention she so wanted to avoid, attention of two princes, George - middle son of the tsar with elven blood and Danilo, a Montenegran Royal with dark powers.

George is angry with her and wants her to stay away from his family, and Danilo wants to marry her and then sacrifice her powers during his ascension to a vampire so his family will be stronger, but when Katya finds out more and more of the dark plot, she has to join forces with George to thwart the Montenegrans.

This book certainly had a feel of Bram Stoker's Dracula, and I loved the little quirks, urgency and menacing moods the plot telegraphed from its beginning till the end. It's mesmerising, full of myths and magic, it's sometimes Gothic, and I would recommend it to any fan of paranormal historical YA like Libba Bray's Gemma Doyle series. The Gathering Light had the same feel about it.

Second book, The Unfailing Light will be out this October. I can't wait!

[Diana · Rating 2 out of 5]

Robin Bridges’ debut novel, The Gathering Storm, is the first installment in a planned trilogy that centers on Katerina Alexandrovna of Oldenburg. Katerina is a debutante, descendant of Catherine the Great, and a necromancer. She attends the Smolny Institute, a boarding school for girls. Amongst her peers are the princesses of Montenegro, who discover her dark secret when she uses her skills to protect the heir of Czar Alexander III. Soon, she is entangled in a web of political intrigue mingled with the occult.

To be frank, what a clusterfuck of a book! I found that there was much potential with The Gathering Storm, but the book went on longer than it should’ve. The book was half court pageantry and half plot, and a weak one at that. The antagonists were not as bad as they could’ve been, with more bark than actual bite. With ambitions of becoming a doctor, Katerina is still a spoiled daddy’s girl with a weak constitution around blood. Maybe consider another calling? There is also a lot of different characters circulating through the book that receive no introduction, creating a lot of confusion.

While trying to create a unique story, Ms Bridges’ gets mired in the stereotypes of supernatural young adult romances. The only thing that really earned this book two stars is that it is well researched. While Katerina is a fictional character, her family, the Royal family, and the Montenegro family actually existed. Ms Bridges’ take on these historical figures is interesting and expands on certain facts; for example, the Montenegrin interest/involvement in the occult.

However, good research does not make for a good book. Very disappointing.

[Kimberly Sabatini · Rating 5 out of 5]

The absolute coolest thing about this book was the melding of paranormal and historical. And what really intrigued me most was that this wasn't your "typical" historical era that we so often read about--this was Russia!!! The story was filled with all kinds of new and unique things that I'd never read about in a YA book before. Obviously, there was a mind boggling amount of research that must have gone into THE GATHERING STORM and that's what I loved about it. It felt authentic--which meant that when Bridges introduced her paranormal elements into the story--the lines between reality and fiction were often blurred, making for fantastic story telling.

I also really loved Katerina's drive to be a doctor and her own person and more importantly, I adored her father. He only wanted the best thing for his daughter, even if it defies convention.

The Gathering Storm had love, intrigue, history, magic and all of my attention. I can't wait until the next installment of the Katerina Trilogy!!!

[Jill Myles · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read an early version and this is such a cool, unique book. It's a fabulous concept - a teenage noble in Czarist Russia who can raise the dead and has necromancy powers. There's a lot of hidden, dark magic in Katerina's world and it's just fabulous and engrossing and a little bit spooky. I can't wait for this one to come out. :)

[Theresa · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF.

[Evie · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Hex · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.0
I can describe the plot only using the word 'silly'. Everything was silly. Characters were silly. Tsar was the greatest good ever walking on Earth. Vampires were bad and so were Montenegrin characters. Katerina Aleksandrovna wanted to become a doctor and nothing could stop her.

I kind of... enjoyed that book? For its silliness I think. And probably for the fact that it was set in Russia (even if too idealised) and somehow managed to get that magic out. Maybe I'm just too old for such books.

[Katy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not bad for a debut author. 2.5 *, but I round up for Goodreads. I'll probably read the next in the series. I do like the folklore elements that have been incorporated into the book.

[Jennifer Rinehart · Rating 5 out of 5]

Duchess Katerina Alexandrovna is very different from your average teen heroine. She goes to balls and is escorted through the snowy streets in a horse drawn sled. Her closest friends are other young royals and she is being groomed to marry into one of the royal families. Her days are filled with dance lessons, embroidery and fantastical clothing, oh, also witches, fae, vampires, werewolves, undead soldiers and evil scheming suitors.

So, really, her life is completely unlike my own. But in spite of all this, Katerina is easy to relate to in spite of this. She wants more than anything to be a doctor but in pre-revolution Russia women are not allowed into medical school. So she does what she can to study medicine in hopes that one day she will be able to attend one of the two European medical schools that admit women. Her father approves of her ambitions and often brings her medical journals to study. Her mother thinks her ambitions are foolish and will make her unattractive to men and will hinder her from doing the most important thing a woman can do; marry well and have children.

Into all of this drama is Katerina's deepest darkest secret, she can raise the dead. No one knows she can do this, not even her own family. Many people have a talent for magic, but necromancy is the darkest of magics and is punishable by death.

Now if she'd only kept her talent hidden and not gotten involved in foiling a plot against the Tsarevitch, no one would have been the wiser, but like the proverbial straw, her tiny spell causes an avalanche and life for Katerina, her friends, family and indeed all of Russia will never be the same again.

What I especially liked about this book is that the supernatural elements, the fae, the vampires and witches were not hidden, everyone knew and accepted that vampires were real, that the Queen of the Dark Court, was fae and that some people had magic. It's refreshing to read a book where there isn't a giant paranormal conspiracy that has to be kept secret from all the 'normal' humans.

I've been fascinated by stories of old Russia for a while now (I watched Doctor Zhivago about a dozen times) and the details of life for the nobility are enchanting, the marzipan pastries, white gloves, the social rituals of paying calls on acquaintances, dancing the mazurska and drinking spiced cider made me yearn for a shiny silver samovar to call my own.

Even better are the characters, Katerina, who is mostly going through the motions when attending balls and learning the finer points of dancing and needlepoint is compelling, she approaches most everything with a wary eye, possibly because she knows that if anyone found out her secret she would be in huge trouble. She isn't angsty or whiny, but she knows the chances of her getting what she wants are slim to none and she doesn't shy away from that truth. Her cousin and closest friend, Dariya shares a room with Katerina at the finishing school they both attend and for Dariya life is very enjoyable, she looks forward to marrying, but doesn't mind Katerina's strange ways of looking at things.

Which brings us to the mystery at the heart of the story and the two men who capture Katerina's heart in very different ways. Something dark is growing in St. Petersberg, mysterious illness attacks the girls at the school and there have been whispers about wolves stalking the streets. Katerina is warned that she is in danger and to beware the blood drinkers. I know, does it get better than this? Yes, it really does!

The two men who vie for Katerina are very different and I can honestly say that I was a bit surprised by the middle of the book at how things were playing out.

Here are the only downsides to the book (MINOR SPOILER ALERT!;

1. The names were sometimes a bit hard to keep track of, Erzebet, Elizabeth and Elena. But after a while, I stopped getting so mixed up.

2. The bad guys. I had sort of a head shaking moment when Katerina doesn't leave their evil clutches right off because she doesn't want to upset her mother (REALLY? Crazy Mama Drama is never a good reason, come on!). Then more head shaking when the bad guys, who kidnapped her, let her go with a few, 'you can never escape us, my pretty one,' speech-y-ness and then she did, escape that is.

3. Her powers. I hope in the next book we get to see a little more of them. Because they weren't around a lot in Gathering Storm. Same with the Fae and their powers. I guess I just like the idea so much of Fae Nobility I wanted to read more about them.

But really, other than these three tiny quibbles, I loved this book and can't wait to read the next book in the series. So many threads were left dangling that I will probably have to skim through The Gathering Storm before reading volume two whenever it comes out.

Comment

[Brittany · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lavish in its descriptions of Imperial Russia, the world of Katerina Alexandrovna is one that anyone with an interest in the country or time period will want to dive into. Readers will be captivated by Robin Bridge’s stunning depictions of real historical figures and places and find themselves caught up in the whirlwind supernatural mystery.

What I loved most about The Gathering Storm was that it made me feel as if I was part of Katerina’s world. From the glittering balls and palacial halls to the icy streets of St. Petersburg, this book made me feel like I was experiencing the story firsthand. While I am not Russian – or have ever visited the country – I felt that Robin Bridges had a perfect, authentic grasp on the customs and practices of the time period. I should also admit that on more than one occasion I got a craving for the sumptuous spreads of foods and delicacies Katerina described!

For some time I’ve held an interest in the Romanov family, but this is the first time I’ve veered away from Revolution-heavy plots that were based on fact. While The Gathering Storm does feature real figures of Russian aristocracy and royalty, I think it’s safe to say that Robin Bridge’s storylines for them are entirely fictional. For instance, the Romanov family and their rule is segregated in Katerina’s story into two courts; light and dark, and heavily influenced by fae, magic and other supernatural forces.

Real personalities, such as the Montenegrin royal family, were depicted as ‘blood-drinkers’ and sorceresses, eager to influence the Russian throne. Robin Bridge’s new twist on these characters persuaded me to check into the history. This caused me to spend quite a bit of time on Wikipedia while I was reading this book, finding out more about the characters mentioned in the story and putting faces to names. I was surprised – and quite frankly impressed – to find that the aforementioned Montenegrins were actually – historically – interested in the black arts and were responsible for introducing Rasputin to Tsar Nicholas II and his wife later in history. I can only give major kudos to Robin for applying ‘real’ evidence in formulating her supernatural tale.

Katerina herself was an enjoyable character, holding the dark and extraordinary ability to raise the dead. I especially enjoyed her relationship with the Grand Duke George – brother to the future Tsar Nicholas II – and I can’t wait to see how their relationship further develops in the next instalment of the trilogy. The other characters (I admit I got a bit confused with who was who initially – with all the similar sounding Russian names!) were also great to read about, and I was happy to discover they weren’t merely cardboard cut-outs that served only to propel Katerina’s story. There are tiny little facets everywhere in The Gathering Storm, ones loaded with secrets and mystery! I want to learn about them all!

This book will keep you guessing. It’s not one of those stories that are too easy to figure out or too easily pushed-aside. There is so much interwoven myth and lore that exists within this story that it’s impossible to guess the resolution straight off the bat. Robin Bridges has successfully created a whole new world for readers to dwell in. 400 pages was daunting at first, but after finishing this book in less than two days, I can safely say that I wished there had been more!

My only qualm with The Gathering Storm was that the final ‘showdown’ ended too quickly, but it wouldn’t be the first book to affect me that way. I have no fear, however, that there are many more twists and turns to come in Katerina’s story, and that the resolution I was yearning for in this book will be presented before the series end.

This is a series that deserves to be a series. Unfortunately I’ve found that many of the series (or soon-to-be series) I’ve read lately could have been minimized to standalone novels, but I believe the world Robin Bridges has masterfully created warrants further exploration. I’m thrilled to be safe in the knowledge that there are two more books to come!


Recommended to: If you have an existing interest in historical reads woven with the supernatural, give this one a shot. Readers partial to Romanov history will also find this to be an interesting journey!

[Elizabeth ♛Smart Girls Love Trashy Books♛ · Rating 2 out of 5]

-POTENTIAL SPOILERS-

I was prepared to love this book and gush over it and love it and fawn over it like crazy. I mean, it's set in the freaking Russian Empire! These books are an exception, not the rule.

There are so many things wrong with this book I can't even describe them. But let's try, shall we? The first thirty pages or so were terrible because of the so-called 'social commentary' on rich people. The main character does nothing but bitch and moan and whine about how she's rich and a Duchess and therefore is the greatest evil known to man. "Oh, I'm a super-powerful necromancer who can raise the dead and make them do my bidding, but I gotta wear a dress and waltz at a ball! Oh, the horror!" Give me a break. It's bad social commentary and confusing as well.

Secondly, there's vampires in this. Ugh. Like, I wouldn't care very much if they were mentioned in the plot summary, since then I'd know to expect them. But nope! Right out of fucking nowhere these vampires waltz right into the plot and reveal the main character must marry their prince and give her blood so he can drink it and become immortal. What? Where was THIS mentioned? Seeing how it's, oh I don't know, the whole PLOT of the novel, you'd think it'd get a mention. Plus, they're not even Eastern European, like Romanian or something. They're fucking Montenegrin, which wasn't even owned by the Russian Empire. If you wanted exotic vampires, then why not Armenian or something? I want my Armenian vampires!

Thirdly, the Russian Empire wasn't portrayed in a historically accurate light. I know, I'm bitching about historical accuracy in a world full of vampires and necromancers and fairies, but it's what I do. It's too....clean. The Russian Empire was many things, but clean wasn't it. Where was her chamber pot? Where were the streets knee-deep in sewage? Why was it winter all the time? Why did they only mention Russia and not the other nations owned by the Empire? She's talking about visiting Paris and Berlin and Zurich, but why not Warsaw? Minsk? Fucking Bucharest? Also, they constantly mention how she can't be a doctor in the Russian Empire. That's bullshit. Women had way more rights than other women in England or France or even America at that time, even noblewomen. They could wear what they wanted, do what they wanted, walk around unescorted, etc. Many women didn't do this, however, because there WAS a stigma attached since sexism will never truly go away. But, the opportunity were available to her. And if they weren't in St. Petersburg, then they certainly were in more developed parts of the Empire, like Riga. Plus, she says the court speaks French. They DID, back in the late 1770's-1820. It was fashionable to do so after Catherine the Great made French the official language, but this book takes place in 1888. At that point, hardly anyone spoke French. They all spoke Russian and/or their native language. But mostly Russian.

I know, bitch and moan, bitch and moan. I actually did like some of the book, believe it or not. I liked how the main character describes the Empire as 'a dream you know how to wake up from, but aren't sure you want to.' The Russian Empire WAS a fairytale world, in some places, and in the time period she lives in, even though it was declining, it was still easy to see the beauty.

I also like how they didn't give her a tradtionally-Eastern European name, like Anastasia or Natalya. Her name is Katrina, which wasn't hugely popular for a Russian noblegirl, but it was still used. Props to that.

I also love the real people in the novel! Being the Romanov whore I am, I knew who the royal family was, and they were actually portrayed quite well for the few cameos they have. The Tzar at the time was Tzar Alexander the Third, who did some very not nice things to Georgia that have nothing to do with the plot. And let's not forget his handsome son, the future Tzar of Russia, Prince Nicholas Alexander and his blushing, beautiful girlfriend, the German Princess Alix. Of course, they'd later be known as Tzar Nicholas the Second and Tzarina Alexandra.

All in all, a hugely mixed-bag of a book that was mostly bad. Yes, I'll most likely read the second book, but seeing as how she most likely won't even be in the Empire in it, is there really an point? Why can't they just STAY in the Empire?!

[Nafiza · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have a confession: I am completely enamored by stories set in imperial Russia. There is something so attractive about the tsars, duchesses, princesses and other royalty that inevitably dot the landscapes of these novels. The sleds instead of carriages, beautiful dresses, lights, the attractive love interests and if you throw in magic…well, you’ve got me. The Gathering Storm is a strong beginning to a trilogy by debut novelist Robin Bridges. I liked the fantastic breadth of the novel and there are many other things that I really do want to talk about so settle in.

I appreciate the time Bridges devoted into constructing and maintaining the various family dynamics of the characters in the novel. Oftentimes, the only relationships that get much attention in YA novels are the dysfunctional ones and the romantic one but Bridges carefully created many different threads that bind people together. There is friendship between friends, respect between Katerina and her father, love for her mother and brother. Even the more villainous characters come with their own set of family relationships that are no less complex.

The world building is off to a good start and it is not at all difficult to envision the world Bridge sets her story in. The pacing is brisk and the writing does not hinder the story. The love interest is very um…interesting and I would have loved to see their courtship stretched out so I could get maximum enjoyment before stuff goes crazy but alas, that does not happen. Now, let’s talk about the things I had problems with.

Katerina is a very interesting character and she is no doormat but there were moments when she drove me absolutely nuts. She doesn’t DO anything to get out of the troubles she invariably finds herself in. And okay, the one thing that I really do not have any patience with is when a character is forced to do something because “otherwise we’ll hurt your family/brother/dog.” That’s a very outdated method of pushing your plot forward and all it does is create frustration in the reader. There is no reason the parents/brother/dog will be unable to fend for themselves because they are their own people and fine, I understand the emotional blackmail but just, don’t use it. It was jarring and it took me out of the narrative as I kept on getting angrier.

Other than that, I found the book to be compelling and a breath of fresh air in terms of the newness of its setting to the YA genre and the mixture of preexisting mythology woven together to create the unique mythology original to the story. And don’t get me wrong, when Katerina does start acting, she goes for it but the lead up to her becoming an active player rather than a passive victim is frustrating. I am looking forward to reading the next installment in this series because book one ends on an promising note and the possibilities are endless. And besides, what girl can resist the promise of more passion, intrigue and magic?