Review: The Gathering Storm (Katerina Alexandrovna #1) by Robin Bridges

The Gathering Storm (Katerina Alexandrovna #1) by Robin Bridges

Hardcover, 400 pages

Published January 10th 2012 by Delacorte Books for Young Readers

Source: NetGalley

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? – Goodreads

My Opinion: This was an interesting read. I really liked the Necromancer angle. I have to say that I loved Katerina. She is a strong character. I loved that even though she had a great power, she was afraid of it but when it came down to saving her country, she pushed through her fear and used it. I liked Danilo and didn’t like him at the same time. I understand that he needed her to be someone powerful but I think that he likes actually liked her too. However, I liked George more. He just seemed more willing to be what she needed and not necessarily what his country needed.

I loved the plot and the way that the school and people that Katerina went to and knew were being targeted. I loved the way that the Montenegrin were playing tricks on her and casting spells and I loved the way that she fought through them. I loved the way that the mystery is played out in the book. I have to say that this was one of the best books that I have read. It has a great “Rasputin” angle that made the story be amazing.

The words just seem to flow on the page.

Overall: 5 out of 5