Originally Called: The Gathering Dark
Series: Grisha, Book One
Publisher: Indigo
Format: ARC
Published: 7th June 2012
Number of Pages: 320
Book: For Review*
Genre: Fantasy, Paranormal, Magic, Romance, Action-Adventure, YA
Recommended
Age: 12+
Contains: Violence, Death, Mild Swearing
No Alcohol, Drug References
Author's
Blog: Leigh Bardugo
“I’ve been waiting for you for a long time, Alina,”
he said. “You and I are going to change
the world.”
The Shadow Fold, a swathe
of impenetrable darkness, crawling with monsters that feast on human flesh, is
slowly destroying the once-great nation of Ravka.
Alina, a lonely orphan, discovers a unique power that
thrusts her into the lavish world of the kingdom’s magical elite – the
Grisha. Could she be the key to setting
Ravka free?
The Darkling, a creature of seductive charm
and terrifying power, leader of the Grisha.
If Alina is to fulfil her destiny, she must discover how to unlock her
gift and face up to her dangerous attraction to him.
But what of Mal,
Alina’s childhood best friend? As Alina
contemplates her dazzling new future, why can’t she ever quite forget him?
Glorious. Epic. Irresistible.
Romance.
Review
The Gathering Dark was a dark,
rich, utterly compelling book that did not let me go from the very first word
to the very last. I loved it, loved it, loved it, loved it!
More
now please?
Ravka
used to be a rich nation. Until the Shadow Fold was created, destroying
their land, cutting them off from the rest of the world – to get desperately needed
weapons and supplies, armies must cross the Shadow Fold, the Unsea, which is
teeming with dreadful, man eating creatures.
Many
of them never return.
Now
Alina Starkov and her lifelong best friend Mal must make the
voyage.
And
from the moment they enter, the worst happens. One of Alina's friends is
killed as the monsters attacks, and then one comes after Mal...
It's
in that moment, the moment she saves Mal, that Alina's life changes beyond
recognition.
She
has a gift, one that could heal Ravka. One that intrigues The Darkling,
the leader of the magical Grisha.
Can
Alina face her startling feelings for the mysterious Darkling, her old love for
Mal and maybe, just maybe, save her nation in the process?
Right
from the start of this book, from the very first sentence, I knew I was going
to adore The Gathering Dark!
From the first chapter I knew this would be at least a 4 star novel. And
it just got better and better and better. I adored everything about this
book, from the world to the characters to the writing. And I'll tell you
now, I'll be first in line when they start handing out Grisha powers - I want
me a Kefta!
I
just loved Alina from the moment I ‘met’ her!
She was snarky, funny, strong and cheeky! I loved seeing how she grew as the book went
on and how some of her cute reactions made me giggle! Mal was, quite frankly, my favourite! Cheeky, funny, cute, irresistible Mal who has
officially been added to my Book Boyfriend list. One reason why you must love Mal so much it's
insane? Just one little word: "always". Tryst ne, read the
book and you'll get it. Mal. *sighs
dreamily* The Darkling was one of
those dark and dangerous guys that just intrigues you from the word go, a guy
that was yummily intense. I probably shouldn't've gotten those little
heart flutters whenever he walked in, but oh I did! I really do dare you
all to read this and not feel That Pull. How the heck Bardugo managed to
make that tug jump right off the page is beyond me, but she did. And it
was amazing!
I
loved how real and rich and padded out all of the characters were, and how the
'bad guy' was so different and
intense and... wow. I just
loved getting to know all the characters: beautiful, cheeky, funny Genya in
particular! I even liked getting to know the mean characters, saying no
names - Zoya-! But what really made this book was the
relationship between Mal and Alina. Sure, the plot, world, writing, etc. were
incredible, but the bond between Mal and Alina just pushed it head and shoulders
above everything else.
Y’know,
I love fantasy - let's face it, I'm constantly living in my own little fantasy
world! But some of the hard-core fantasy worlds can give me a headache!
Everything you need to learn and remember and have described to you - just ouch. The Gathering Dark, while being one of the most amazing fantastical
worlds (see the map at the side), was just so light.
Sure, there were things you need to remember at the beginning, but it's just so
incredible and well described that it didn't feel like I was learning a whole
new world at all. It felt like remembering an old one. It was just
amazing; so rich and real and vivid and jump-off-of-the-page and unique. Plus,
it was all old-time Russia – it was beautiful and just added to the
fantasticalness of the world!
This
book just sucked me in, and with such an epic, addictive plot, I couldn't put
it down! It was fast paced and twisty and rich – it even made
girl-finds-she-has-hidden-powers, love-triangle thing look new and exciting!
Oh how I loved the plot! And, quite frankly, I need the next book! As for
the writing: totally beautiful, but modern and funny. Everything was so
wonderfully described so I could just see everything, but not heavy, not in the
slightest. I really got into Alina’s head and loved seeing the Grisha
world for the first time through her eyes.
While
the world was breath-taking, the characters oh-so loveable and the writing
amazing, this was just so much more than a fantasy novel. There were
countless hidden themes and, unlike so many other hard-core fantasy novels, it
was so human too. It may sound like cookie-cutter love triangle from the
blurb, but it's so much more. Even though it isn't NOT a love triangle of
sorts, it so doesn't read as one - it's just more, more, more than anything I'd
thought it'd be. And oh how I loved
it!
With
a girl with a hidden gift - and not do hidden snark - one mysterious dark
prince, one long-time best friend and a world to beat all others, The Gathering
Dark was an addictive, beautiful, fantastical and so very human for a
fantasy. I really can't recommend it enough. Fantasy addicts will
adore it, old-timey Russian lovers will adore it. People who love strong
characters and amazing relationships will adore it. Magic lovers will
adore it. It has something for everyone - including two gorgeous guys... I loved every second and can honestly say
this is one if my favourite books from 2012. And let me just say, the
most gorgeous guys ever!
Now, can
I have the next one please, Leigh? I want to be Grisha again!
Star Rating:
5 Out of 5
5 Out of 5
Read this
book if you liked:
The Mortal Instruments by Cassandra Clare
Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead
Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas
Challenges
It's Taking Part In:
Happy Reading
Megan
* This
book was received from Indigo in exchange for an honest review
3 comments:
:) I just LOVE your reviews!!! And this one is no exception :) Every time I read one I have a new book to add to my wishlist!!! :D this looks absolutely awesome!!!
Awesome review! I want to read this now!
Rhiannon: It's definitely worth reading! It's so awesome!
Cliona: Thank you! You'll just love it - I know you will! It's so awesome it's beyond words!
Kimba: I can't recommend it enough!! :D
Post a Comment