Mundie Moms

Thursday, December 4, 2014

Gathering Darkness by Morgan Rhodes, Book Review & Giveaway



Published by: Razorbill
To Be Released on: December 9th, 2014
Pre-Order from: Find your favorite book retailer HERE
Add it to Goodreads
Read my Reviews for Falling Kingdoms and Rebel Spring
10 Stars- This Book Deserves More than 5 Stars. I LOVED IT!

ABOUT GATHERING DARKNESS
The seeds of revolution have been sown…but in Mytica the lust for power reigns supreme.

THE REBELS forge ahead. Princess Cleo slays with sweetness—and a secret that might control Lucia’s magic—as she and vengeful Jonas lead the hunt for the all-powerful Kindred. THE KRAESHIANS join the fray. Ashur and Amara, the royal siblings from the vast kingdom across the Silver Sea, prove to be just as ruthless as they are charming as they manipulate their way to victory. 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.

And which side will Prince Magnus choose, now that everyone he’s been betrayed by everyone he’s ever loved?



My Review

An epic read! Morgan Rhodes's Gathering Darkness is THE best fantasy book of 2014! 

Hands down, this is my #1 favorite read of the year. Morgan Rhodes has done it again! She's surpassed all my acceptations. I loved everything about Gathering Darkness. Just like the first two books in this highly addicting series, there is romance, twists, danger, magic, deadly secrets, shocking betrayals, power struggles, action, and plenty of unpredictable twists. Unlike the previous two books, this one had me falling in love with a character I didn't except to. 

All the same characters from Rebel Spring are back, as well as a couple new characters. The stakes are much higher in this book, as the war for magic turns former enemies into allies, and allies into enemies. My predictions about Magnus and Cleo from Rebel Spring (read my prediction/review) were right. I loved seeing my predictions play out, and the manner in which they played out. Both characters have grown so much. I loved seeing these two form, well I don't even know how to put other than say it's an uneasy alliance. 

Nothing is easy when it comes to these two, and their forced marriage. Though Magnus and Cleo still surprise one another in terms of their actions, they've both started to figure out the other one, and I like how they've learned to read each other without the other one knowing. It's their rare moments together I loved reading about the most. It's during those times I felt like I got to see the real them, and the way Rhodes writes these scenes are so heartbreaking, and well, it leaves me wanting more. There's saying something without giving anything away.

Rhodes's writing is stellar! I loved that through each of the various points of views, she provided me with a different side to the whole story. I was able to understand each character a little more, as well as understand their motives and actions, though often times those actions were part of some surprising twists. I like that while I think I have things figured out, I really don't. Nothing is as it seems with anyone in this series. I love that element of surprise. Each of the characters surprised me. Kind of like that declaration of a certain someone claiming that they have fallen in love with a certain someone else. I had to read it that part twice to make sure I read it correctly. That's a good thing, as I'm torn between a "Are you serious and it's about freaking time!". Yes, it's one of those. *sigh* 

Oh the characters of this series! There is so much to say about each of them, but I don't even know what I can say that won't be a spoiler. What I can say is the characters who seemed gutless before, find courage it the last place they'd except to find it. Characters who are cunning, and know how to play the twisted game that is at the heart of this series, are much more craftier. Those who struggled with a weakness either fall victim to that weakness or grow stronger with the aid of unlikely allies. Those who have known heart break and loss are fueled by revenge and have become fearless. Then there is one who has become, shall I saw, a shinning light in the midst of the darkness, and depict that plague King Gaius, and proves that there is hope when there has been much despair, and no hope at all. You'll know why I said this when you read the book. 

Just as I think I might have things figured out, Rhodes throws in twist after twist making it hard for me to figure out what would happen by the time I finished the book. Which by the way, it's been awhile since I stayed up during the early morning hours to read a book. This book was worth losing sleep over. Once I started it, there was no stopping until I read the last word on the last page. Now I'm am impatiently waiting for the next book.

I'm addicted to this enticing series. This is an epic fantasy series I can read again, and again and never tire of reading it. Rhodes's story telling is stellar. I love her writing style, and the way she completely hooks me with each book. It's not often I can say I've read a book and have loved the entire cast of characters I've read about. Both the good and the bad. Every character in this series serves a purpose, and it's trying to figure out their role in the over series that keeps me turning the pages. I've said it before, but I'll say it again, Morgan Rhodes has set a high bar for writing from multiple points of views. I've not read any other series/book from any other authors who's mastered the craft of writing multiple points of views like she has. 

I LOVE this series. I LOVED this book. If you only pick up one fantasy series/book this year, pick up this one! It's one of my all time favorites. It's an epic read. I will warn you, like with the previous books in this series, there is a cliff hanger that will leaving you wishing book #4 was already out. Pick up this book! You'll see this one in the #1 spot for my all time favorite reads list for 2014! 

ABOUT THE FALLING KINGDOMS SERIES


In the three kingdoms of Mytica, magic has long been forgotten.  And while hard-won peace has reigned for centuries, a deadly unrest is simmering.

As the rulers of each kingdom grapple for power, the lives of their subjects are brutally transformed...and four key players, royals and rebels alike, find their fates forever intertwined. Cleo, Jonas, Lucia, and Magnus are caught in a dizzying world of treacherous betrayals, shocking murders, secret alliances, and even love.

A vicious power struggle quickly escalates to war, and these four young people collide against each other and the rise of elementia, the magic that can topple kingdoms and crown a ruler in the same day. 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR


Morgan Rhodes is the New York Times bestselling author of the FALLING KINGDOMS series. As a child, she always wanted to be a princess—the king that knows how to wield a sharp sword to help save both kingdoms and princes from fire-breathing dragons and dark wizards. Instead, she became a writer, which is just as good and much less dangerous. Along with writing, Morgan enjoys photography, travel, and reality TV, and is an extremely picky yet voracious reader of all kinds of books.

Follow Morgan Rhodes on TumblrTwitterand Instagram

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ENTER TO WIN 



AIM FOR YOUR ENEMIES.
One (1) winner receives:
·         Falling Kingdoms dartboard,
·         plus copies of Falling KingdomsRebel Spring and Gathering Darkness.

To enter, please fill out the form below. *US residents only, standard Mundie Moms giveaway rules apply. Prizes courtesy of Penguin Teen 

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