The Gathering Storm

The cataclysm long foretold has shaken the world. King Henry's obsession with uniting the warring kingdoms of Wendar and Varre has left his people destitute and vulnerable to attack. As earthly and supernatural forces gather to overthrow all Henry has fought for, Alain and Liath come to realise their twin destinies. Between them they hold the key to secrets which could yet save Henry's realm, but even they may be powerless should the Cursed Ones return. It has been quite a while since I read a series and thought "damn, it's over!" at the end. The author has built a vast number of interesting characters but, despite the number, one is able to know and relate to each. Each of the characters has their own remarkable flaws and imperfections, and you actaully have opportunities to sympathize with each throughout the series (even the remarkably "evil" ones you think you would never agree with). Unlike the Robert Jordan WoT series which seems to go on and on and on without resolution, Elliot has squeezed a sweeping epic into a (mere) 7 books, and I found myself disappointed when I finished the last of the third book. Fortunately, there are enough open issues, unanswered questions and unresolved conflicts in the end that Elliot could forseeably write another series to "fill in the blanks". I, for one, sincerely hope to see more from this author in the very near future.

In a time where too many writers cannot continue the momentum of a well-started series, Kate Elliott continues to write excellently. She creates a fantastic world that draws from many different medieval legends-it is only too obvious the tremendous amount of research that went into this novel. The conclusion to the novel is stunning as well, tying together many loose ends in the series. As other reviewers have written, though, it is difficult to keep track of the different characters in the book. I would highly recommend reading the other books in the series before picking this one up. My only complaint is that I need to wait two years before the final novel comes out!

Kate Elliott has to be one of the best authors of our time. Her characters all connected in ways that you did not imagine. Liath, willing to sacrifice herself to save the world. Sanglant willing to sacrifice himself to save his father. Stronghands struggle to save his blood brother Alain. The bond that connects each of them together as they race against time to prevent the great cataclysm that could destroy them or save them. I could just not pull my eyes from the book. I was hooked from page 1. THIS IS A MUST READ!!!!!!!!!

This series just gets better and better. This 900 page book is riveting, giving us lots of drama, suspense, surprises and action, while retaining the considered and elegant style of its predecessors.I don't suggest reading this book if you haven't read the rest of the series. In fact, I recommend a reread of the entire series before starting on this one. Such complex and satisfying fantasy can only be understood, and, more importantly, enjoyed in context. This penultimate book ends dramatically, spectacularly, and movingly, but leaves just enough loose ends for the final book to satisfy. What is Alain's destiny? How will the races sharing earth come to live in harmony? Did Antonia and Hugh survive the cataclysm (I'll bet they did) and what damage will they do? What has happened to Wolfhere, whose side is he on, anyway, and what secrets does he have to reveal? How will Sanglant restore peace and order to Wendar and its neighboring kingdoms? What of Blessing and her attendants? What roles do Ivar and Hanna have to play? And what about Rosvita? And more.I can't wait to find out.

The Gathering Storm is the fifth novel in the Crown of Stars series, following Child of Flame. In the previous volume, Prince Bayan has been killed by Quman sorcery, but Prince Sanglant has defeated the Quman hosts, capturing Bulkezu, and now has taken his army to the east. King Henry has been possessed by a daimone and Sister Rosvita has been imprisoned in a dungeon, but Hathui escapes the plotters. Liathano walks the spheres, learning the truth of her mother and meeting Sanglant's grandfather and mother. Alain has met Adica and witnessed her death in the great weaving, but has been swallowed by the white fires of the crowns. Ivar dreams of Alain as he and his friends escape through the tunnels to elsewhere. In this novel, two Eagles, and a young aspirant, meet in an old Dariyan waystation and exchange information. Hanna and Ernst have come from Osterburg and Hathui from Darre. When they leave, Ernst travels back to Princess Theophanu in Osterburg, Hanna goes to Henry's court in Darre, and Hathui travels to Sanglant in Ungria. In Wendar, Theophanu holds Osterburg as regent while Henry is pursuing imperial ambitions in Aosta, but has few forces available to her and is beset with uprisings in Varre and civil war in Salia. In Aosta, Henry and his new queen, Adelheid, have overcome the rebels in the north, but still struggle against riots, Arethousan invaders and Jinna bandits in the south. Hanna has been sequestered by Hugh, but is able to make contact with Rosvita's clerics. When a severe earthquake occurs, they use the distraction to rescue Rosvita and then flee to the Convent of St. Ekatarina, but with Hugh in pursuit. In Ungria, Sanglant, together with Sapientia and Blessing, is moving east to the great grasslands hunting griffen feathers and sorcerers, with Bulkezu as his guide. While only three years old, Blessing is growing very rapidly in physical maturity, but not emotionally. In the north, Stronghand is invading Alba and thinking Empire. Alain returns through the crowns from his sojourn in the past, grieving for Adica. Stronghand and Alain begin to perceive each other's thoughts once more. Soon Anne and the other sleepers will begin the great weaving to forever sunder the Ashioi from the world. Can none stop them? This volume was a long time coming, but well worth the wait. According to Elliott, the story just refused to stay small. Like the previous volume, this novel is almost 900 pages long. Hopefully, the next, and last, volume in the series will not take quite as long. Just remember, Tolkien worked on the Lord of Rings trilogy for decades; does anyone want to complain about that? Recommended for all those Elliott fans who have waited patiently and for anyone who likes large-scale fantasy tales of war and intrigue. -Arthur W. Jordin