The Unfailing Light (Katerina Trilogy , #2)

by Robin Bridges

[ladygrey]

This whole review will toss spoilers in indiscriminately and I probably won't warn you. Except for this. This is your warning.

In some ways I liked this better than The Gathering Storm because Katiya knew, mostly, what was going on and also because she and George were open about their affection for one another. So even without as many balls there was considerably more romance. And I always enjoy the way he can read her mind and Robin Bridges works that in so fluidly.

But I knew about Alix since the end if the last book so that was a bit annoying. The writing is pretty blunt, for the most part nut strangely it didn't really bother me. But the story logic did at times. I mean this tsar has this necromancer who he acknowledges is important to hold his power. And there are the Light and Dark fairy courts who know about her. And the best idea anyone has is to hide her away in a school. Not train her at all. Or help her explore and strengthen her power. Just tuck her safely away and essentially ignore her. What kind of sense does that make?

But, even with wayward ghost story lines, this is a pretty interesting trilogy. I'm a bit terrified for George and can't wait to see what happens with the striga and finally it looks like Katiya will learn a thing or two about her powers. Miechen is a fantastic character and Nicholas is about to get himself in a world of trouble. So, obviously, I like the characters and the world quite a bit. Some of the mythology is half formed (I mean, really what's up with George's fae power and what does it mean when their eyes turn silver and what can Nicholas do?). And a lot of the pivotal plot happens off screen. But it's unlike most of the YA that I've read and maybe I just really like the Russian aristocracy and this blend of a gothic supernatural world imbued with naive and unfaltering hope.

Also, I learned a new word. That should almost be worth an extra half star.