Quick Review: Gathering Darkness (Falling Kingdoms #3) by Morgan Rhodes

Gathering Darkness
(Falling Kingdoms #3)
by Morgan Rhodes

December 9, 2014
416 pages

Goodreads Summary:

In GATHERING DARKNESS, book three of the New York Times bestselling Falling Kingdoms series, the stakes have never been higher as three teams push forward on a race to find the Kindred, the four elemental crystals possessing ancient all-powerful magic, first:

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.

The only certainty in the dark times is that whoever finds the magic first will control the fate of Mytica... but fate can be fickle when magic is involved.

Review

Gathering Darkness was every bit as action-packed as the previous books in the series were. Morgan Rhodes did not disappoint giving us twist after twist in this third installment.

What I Liked:
- story was fast-paced
- some plots were tied up while new ones popped up
- the big secret about the Kindred
- I swooned over every Magneo scene even though they weren't always pleasant
- the always loyal Nic and his confused feelings for Prince Ashur
- Felix is such a fun new addition!

The Not So Much:
- Jonas and his feelings for multiple girls

- I commend Lucia on her eagerness to master her magic but she wasn't the brightest bulb

- Princess Amara and Melenia were as evil as evil got and I just wanted them to be gone

With tons of action, plenty of intrigue and a wack load of romantic tension, Gathering Darkness brought the Falling Kingdom story to another level. I can't wait to see where things go next!