The Gathering is a spicy companion novella to the first book in the Honest Scrolls series, Dead Moons Rising. This novella takes place during the week of the Grand Gathering of Haerland, and features never-before seen scenes between your favorite characters, including Aydra and Draven.
This is a novella set during the first book of the Honest Scrolls series: Dead Moons Rising, it takes place during the week of the gathering where all the main heads from all over Haerland gather at Magnice to talk about the invaders of their land. And yes there’s a banquet with food and dancing and lots of sex. This is a novella that is very character driven as it follows what each of them got up to during that week that we didn’t see in the first book. What conversations where had, what plans where made, who slept with who that kind of thing. Now that may not be for everyone as said by Jack herself “it’s almost plotless” so have in mind when you go into this, you’re reading it for the characters and what shenanigans they get up to in this week, it is a novella not a full on story. I however absolutely loved it beyond measure.
Now… review
Wow this was.. this was perfection, I loved every moment of this novella. Being back in this world, being back with these characters had my heart so full it was fit for bursting and had me the biggest smile on my face.
This was a very bittersweet book, I’m not going into detail on why because spoilers but being back with Aydra and Draven, and feeling their love for each other. Seeing the brotherly relationship between Draven, Hagen and Nadir and laughing so much at their banter and how well they know one another. Witnessing Nyssa and Dorian’s relationship with no worries and not much cares, seeing them tease each other and the love they have. It was all beyond what I was expecting, I couldn’t get enough, I soaked it all up but at the same time was like “Ow this hurts so much”.
The smut in this book was.. mind blowing to say the least. I devoured every bit of it. Reading in this what was teased in the second book was so much better than I could have fathomed, so much sex, so much hotness, so many people and bodies and the toy box Ughhh!!! Double *chefs kiss*
Jack Whitney is a phenomenal writer and I can’t say enough about her work. I fell in love with her world and her characters instantaneously and they will be a big part of my life for a very very long time. I mean we only met these characters a year ago but it feels like I’ve had them in my life soooo much longer. I can’t wait to read what happens next in this series and I’ll definitely be re reading the books that are already out more than once.
Spoiler-Free Review: I’m going to try my best to not be spoilery but it’s going to be hard!
I’d like to thank Jack for this ARC of The Gathering. I knew I missed these characters, but I didn’t know how much I missed them until I read this book! It gave me all the feelings! The Gathering is a novella that should be read after Dead Moons Rising (book 1 in the Honest Scrolls series). It gives readers a deeper dive into the events that occurred during an important gathering of the people of Haerland. The banter and dialogue among all of the characters is *chefs kiss*. Getting to see the points of view of characters that we didn’t get in Dead Moons Rising was such a treat! There were moments I laughed and moments I got emotional. The spice and sexual tension was impeccable! As with other books in the series, this book is very sex positive. These characters hold such a special place in my heart, and I loved being able to revisit them. I can’t wait to see where Jack takes this series. Definitely check out The Gathering if you’re a fan of the series and the characters. This is an adult high fantasy novella. 18+ for language and sexual content.
Jack Whitney brought me back to Haerland and I don't want to leave again. This novella was just a big, smutty, comfort read and I can't wait to have it in paperback! I fall in love with Jack's characters the more I read about them. Revisiting my favs of Aydra and Draven was bittersweet, loved seeing the roots form in Nyssa and Nadir's relationship, Hagen, Lex and Bala are definitely a triple threat (lol), and Dorian's fight fest with Corbin was insane lol. There were too many moments that had me either laughing my ass off, heart-clenching, or swooning into a faint. Drop me off into this fantasy world and I'll never come back out! (Thank you to Jack Whitney for giving me the biggest honor to read and review any of your books. They have places in my heart forever.)
Exactly what I needed to start the year! My comfort characters having the best time! I love anything Jack Whitney writes and I am honored to have the opportunity to read and review her ARCS. If you haven’t read her honest scrolls series please do so you can enjoy this sexy novella!
When I say that I couldn’t wipe the stupid ass grin off my face the entire time I read this book. Okay well most of it—there were definitley some more emotional moments. But damn did this book deliver (me straight to my wildest Haerland fantasies).
Was it a complete smutfest? Yes. This novella is meant to be. But did it also have me swooning, tearing up, and laughing my ass off. 1000%. This novella brought me everything Jack promised and more. All the spice—everywhere, all the time—but also all the banter between our faves. We get more Aydra and Draven, so much Nadi and Nyssa, and some surprises that did not disappoint 😏😏.
For all its smuttiness, I was really surprised by all the new Haerland knowledge I gained and added context I got between the various relationships we see throughout the books. I knew that I was going to love The Gathering, but I didn’t know I would get so much out of it—like I’m probably going to reread FOP soon because I feel like I have a fresh perspective on so many things.
This is a long review for a novella right? Well that’s just how much I loved it. If you enjoy the world Jack has created and are invested in these characters, you NEED to pick up The Gathering.
Listen.....I am not sure how long I would survive in Haerland, but I want to live there always.
So I would like to start off by saying that even though this Novella, which let's be honest is like a standard book size, came out after book 2 you won't spoil anything by reading it between books 1 and 2 of the Honest Scrolls series. This novella is actually set during book 1, Dead Moons Rising and offers a deeper glimpse into The Gathering that takes place near the end. Just as the author says, this novella is very much character driven and for the most point "plotless". The Novella follows our favorite MC's and their interactions during the gathering. I enjoyed this deeper look into what all happened, conversations, plans, smutty time, and over all adventures that further build out the story for us.
Now for my overall review and feelings of The Gathering. I adored every single bit of this novella. I found myself purposefully slowing down my reading because getting to come back into this world during a happy time was all I have ever wanted. For those of you who have read Dead Moon Rising you know this novella will be bittersweet for you. I will not ruin it for those who haven't read it yet but just know, there is so much happiness and love here that you will CRAVE after the end of book 1.
Getting to see the relationships between all of our MC's was another wonderful thing about this novella. I truly loved getting more of the relationship between Aydra and Draven. The brotherly relationship between Draven, Hagen, and Nadir was fantastic as well. Their friendship is one for the ages. I also really loved getting to see more of the dynamics of Aydra, Dorian, and Nyssa. How Aydra worked so hard to ensure they both grew up loved and protected. Sacrificing her happiness to ensure theirs.
I cannot leave this review without talking about the smut in this book. Goodness, I want a commander. The smut and chemistry in this is ON FIRE! So many peppers on the spice scale.
I cannot wait for more from Jack Whitney and this world.
This fantastic novella is releasing on January 20, 2022 on Kindle or in paperback and it will be available on KindleUnlimited too! It’s not a brief novella either - it’s 332 pages long in paperback!
The Gathering by Jack Whitney is a companion novella that tells the events of what occurred during the Grand Gathering of Haerland during Dead Moons Rising.
It’s a behind-the-scenes look at the Gathering, a very critical meeting of all of the leaders throughout Haerland, complete with a feast and dancing. We received a large overview of the event during Dead Moons Rising, but this goes much more in depth with the character interactions throughout, both in important situations and more compromising ones 😏. The banter as always was exceptional, as were the more tender character bonding moments that I love so much and are so well executed. The spice was also super detailed and frequent, matching the vibes of the rest of this extremely sexy (and sex positive) series. Overall, I loved it and thoroughly enjoyed being back in this world with some of my favorite characters!
What I especially appreciated was that this novella could be read immediately after Dead Moons Rising to better understand the events of the Gathering, or after Flames of Promise to be reunited with the characters depending on what you want to do. It is labeled as book 1.5 in the Honest Scrolls series, but I believe that the reading order can be extremely versatile.
Please read trigger warnings before reading this ADULT (18+) dark fantasy novel series, including this book.
Huge thanks to Jack for an ARC of this book! I was so happy to be back in this world and am eagerly awaiting the third book in the Honest Scrolls series!
My review has been written voluntarily and honestly.
Lady Luck was smiling down on me a few days ago when I won an e-ARC of The Gathering. I have been singing my praises to Jack Whitney’s world to literally anyone who will listen and it was SO NICE to be absorbed in Haerland again.
⭐️: ❤️/5 🌶: 🥵😮💨 18+
This is a 🥵 S P I C Y 🥵 novella focused around the Grand Gathering event in Dead Moons Rising. There’s no plot—just wonderful scenes to help fill in any gaps and give you a better understanding of the interactions that took place. It focuses on the budding relationships between all of the characters and provides more insight and context to things referenced in DMR and the second book, Flames of Promise.
Though it’s a companion book of DMR, I actually would suggest reading it AFTER Flames of Promise. I personally enjoyed learning and uncovering the relationships as I read through FOP.
Again, I will say that these characters are some of my favorite characters ever written. There’s just something about the BANTER and how I honestly forget I’m reading a book when I get lost in this world and their conversations. Though obvi fantastical, there’s something so REAL and RAW about every single one of these characters that just makes me feel like I KNOW them—which is usually a disconnect for me with other books.
This novella had me BLUSHING (like, seriously y’all, buckle up because 🤠), laughing, and it broke my heart (if you read DMR, you’ll understand) all over again. Jack, you are the queen of spice, sassy characters, and heart break.
"Find your voice and command the world" ~ Draven 💜
As Jack has mentioned before there is little to no plot to this novella and it is purely character driven with a dash of spice 🌶🌶🌶🌶
This Novella is such a bittersweet work of art and it has such an innocence to it which I think we really see more of from Dorian and Nyssa and we get to explore a little more of their lives from before the ending of the first book, they're just such a brother and sister with their banter and laughter 🥰
I love that we got to see so much more relationship and character development from our faves.
Aydra and Draven are honestly everything, there were moments that happened which to me explained events that happened later on in Dead Moons Rising 🌙
Nyssa and Nadir are actually iconic, to see their romance begin and start to grow was just a dream. A perfect quote that I feel is just pure Nadir and Nyssa is "She is bound to destroy me.... and I think I would willingly fall."
And of course Dorian is still a shit... a loveable shit but still a shit 😂
I loved this book so much! Thank you Jack for veing an amazing writer and treating us with another glimpse into these characters lives, they have all stole a major part of my heart 💜
Jack Whitney takes us back to the heart of Haerland with this spicy novella. Around 300 pages, this novella is purely about the characters and their activities during The Gathering that took place during Dead Moons Rising. There’s a lot of spice and little plot.
After having my heart ripped out after reading Dead Moons Rising and slightly pieced back together during Flames of Promise, this novella was the story that allowed me to have joy in grief. (Yes, I grieve over fictional characters.) The banter between these characters is unlike any other world. I had so many emotions reading The Gathering, but it was truly enjoyable to see these “behind-the-scenes” stories that were flashbacks in Flames of Promise. Don’t read this one until you’ve finished FoP! It just won’t be the same experience. Also, can we talk about Dorian’s box?! Such a good boy.
Full disclosure: I received an eARC as a giveaway on Jack's Instagram account.
Probably a 4.5 but I didn't want to dock a whole star, so here we are!
I had to give Dead Moons Rising a harsher review because the editing was just so, so bad. So I'm THRILLED to not have to deal with that hinderance for this review!
Don't get me wrong, there's still some word usage mistakes and general polish issues, but it's a night and day difference from DMR. So thrilled, because Ms. Whitney is a fantastic author with a really amazing story and world on her hands, so it's great that this book is such an improvement in the editing department.
It's definitely a quick, smutty read, perfect for a .5 novella. Spice of every variety: mf, mm, ff, mfff, mff, etc.
The only heartbreaking thing about it was seeing some characters again, so soon after I got done with DMR and was dealing with that sadness.
Excited to move on to Honest Scrolls #2, knowing that the editing is going to be so much better than #1! Really looking forward to Nyssa starting to come into her own.
The Gathering is a spicy companion novella to the first book in the Honest Scrolls series, Dead Moons Rising. This novella takes place during the week of the Grand Gathering of Harland, and features never- before seen scenes between your favorite characters, including Aydra and Draven. I absolutely loved being back in this world with everyone. I could picture running the halls with Nyssa, cutting jokes with Dorian and sharing secrets, and picking on Nadir and Hagen. Dreaming with Draven and Aydra. Ugh, now I miss everyone again. The Gathering is now available on Amazon, KU and paperback! This novella is to be read after Dead Moons Rising, but can also be read after Flames of Promise if you're just missing the characters and want to revisit! As always, please read the content warnings before reading. This book is part of an ADULT 18+ dark high fantasy series
“She was the darkness that saved him from a world of blinding—no, deafening—sunlight. And there, hidden in her shadow against the sun, was where he decided he wanted to be.”
As usual, Jack Whitney did it again. This novella is set in the middle of Dead Moons Rising but I think by reading it third it gives you a greater emotional impact. Knowing what happens in the remainder of book one and two, and what these characters will have to go through makes it all the more meaningful and a tiny bit heartbreaking. (Would it be a Jack Whitney book if you didn’t get your heart at least a little broken?)
“She is bound to destroy me… And I think I would willingly fall.”
The banter? 10/10 The politics? 10/10 The spice? 100000/10
18+ & check trigger warnings before reading please 🖤
The Gathering was perfection. It is a deeper dive into the 1st book in The Honest Scrolls series. You get to spend more time with side characters from the 1st book and I adored it. I would recommend reading this after Flames of Promise because its eye opening to see just how far your favorite characters have come compared to where they started. And how you may have perceived them... As to avoid spoilers I'm keeping this review short.
The Gathering shall forever be my happy place in the land of Haerland! It was a treat getting to see Aydra and Draven again and surprisingly I didn’t cry sad tears in this one! We got to see more into the dynamic of the main characters during a crucial moment from DMR and see the building of relationships that are introduced more fully in FOP.
I am so glad Jack decided to publish this novella and I can’t wait to read what happens next in the honest scrolls series!
This book was exactly what I needed to get through my Honest Scrolls withdrawals. It shows all our favourite characters once more just being their loveable selves & getting to see them in a light we haven't seen them before. I think it definitely hit the spot for me, simply because it reminded me how much I loved these characters and why their personalities make you smile as you read. This novella was everything, so pick it up and give it a read!
everything missing from dead moons rising is in this book and i couldn’t be more pleased. i’m so sad i had to say goodbye to these characters until winter, but i am so excited for Whitney’s next releases. i swear i will read anything she writes.
I read this after reading the first two books and I'm glad I waited to read this last. Great insight of the days of the Gathering with all of our favorite sexy characters!
It also brought a few tears after the ending of Dead Moons Rising, but it cleared up a few things from that books as well. I would give it TEN stars if I could. I will someday reread these books with great pleasure.
All smut with a few Easter Eggs scattered through out. This novella was exactly what it claimed to be. Loved getting to spend more time with characters we seemed to say good-bye to by the end of Dead Moon’s.