Book Review :: Gathering Darkness, by Morgan Rhodes

Gathering Darkness by Morgan Rhodes
Series: Falling Kingdoms #3
Also in this series: Falling Kingdoms, Rebel Spring, Frozen Tides, Crystal Storm, Immortal Reign
Published by Razorbill
on December 9th 2014
Genres: Fantasy, Magic, Young Adult
Pages: 407
Goodreads

Prince Magnus has just witnessed torture, death, and miracles during the bloody confrontation that decimated the rebel forces. Now he must choose between family and justice as his father, the cruel King Gaius, sets out to conquer all of Mytica. All Gaius needs now are the Kindred—the four elemental crystals that give godlike powers to their owner. But the King of Blood is not the only one hunting for this ancient, storied magic. . . .

THE KRAESHIANS join the hunt. Ashur and Amara, the royal siblings from the wealthy kingdom across the Silver Sea, charm and manipulate their way to the Kindred, proving to be more ruthless than perhaps even the King of Blood himself.

THE REBELS forge ahead. Princess Cleo and vengeful Jonas lead them, slaying with sweetness, skill, and a secret that can control Lucia’s overpowering magic—all so they can use the Kindred to win back their fallen kingdoms.

THE WATCHERS follow Melenia out of the Sanctuary. They ally in the flesh with King Gaius, who vows to use Lucia’s powers to unveil the Kindred.

Last updated on 14 October 2023

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What is Gathering Darkness about?

Gathering Darkness by Morgan Rhodes begins like Rebel Spring, and we pick up right where we left off in the story of Mystica and the three kingdoms: Limeros, Paelsia and Auranos.

Prince Magnum is constantly torn between being the good heir to the throne and a good son to (evil) King Gauis, and trying to hide the fact that he may just have feelings for Princess Cleo whom he was forced into marrying and hates beyond belief.

Cleo herself has joined forces with Jonas and the rebels to put plans into action to overthrow King Gaius and reclaim her rightful place on the throne. Jonas has friends locked away in the dungeons of Auranos’ capital, and is trying to both recruit new rebels and keep those he already has alive. Lucia’s magic grows stronger every day.

Brother and sister team Ashur and Amara are visiting Auranos from the land across the see, Kraeshia, and causing enough havoc on their own (and wooing people in with their charm and graces).

The Watchers in the Sanctuary have their own problems; there are traitors among them, those falling in love with mortals, and those giving up their immortal lives for a life on the earth that will only lead to death. The elementia everyone seeks – four crystals which hold the power of earth, air, water and fire – remain hidden, though as Cleo tries to work Lucia and her new mentor, Alexius, certain things come to light and the hunt is on. Can they gather all four before they fall into the wrong hands?

“There are no guarantees in this life, only strong possibilities. That’s enough for me.”

My thoughts on Gathering Darkness

Having finished Rebel Spring, taking a break and reading The Hazel Wood, I picked up Gathering Darkness, the third in the Falling Kindgoms series by Morgan Rhodes. I mentioned in my review of Rebel Spring that these books aren’t 5 star books, but somehow Rhodes draws you into the story and doesn’t quite let you go. There’s no way that I’m stopping mid-series when I haven’t found out what happens yet.

The plotline of Gathering Darkness focuses on finding the four crystals of the elementia – the magic of the land – and while there are tales of the crystals, they’re only half believed by the people of Mytica. The characters (besides Cleo’s best friend, Nic) are all a bit meh, but I really enjoy the storyline so I think that’s part of what makes me come back to it.

Other things I’m a bit iffy about are that I did think it was incredibly quick and too easy for Lucia to find the location of the crystals, Jonas isn’t really being a very good rebel at all, and he trusted a new-comer way too quickly (should’ve seen that one coming, Jonas, seriously), and Cleo is always a bit whiny, a bit too girly and not enough kick-ass for me, and Magnus needs to calm the flip down.

That being said, I read Gathering Darkness over the course of a weekend, and I can’t wait to read the next one. Book three, and I still don’t know whose side I’m on.

Have you read Gathering Darkness? Let me know what you thought!

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The books in the Falling Kingdoms Series

1. Falling Kingdoms
2. Rebel Spring
3. Gathering Darkness
4. Frozen Tides
5. Crystal Storm
6. Immortal Reign