The Unfailing Light
Author: Robin Bridges
Publisher: Delacorte Books for Your Readers
Publication Date: Oct. 9, 2012
Pages: 320
Series: The Katerina Trilogy, book two
Source: Finished copy from publisher
About the Book: Lush and opulent, romantic and sinister, The Unfailing Light, Volume II in The Katerina Trilogy, reimagines the lives of Russia’s aristocracy in a fabulously intoxicating and page-turning fantasy.
Having had no choice but to use her power has a necromancer to save Russia from dark forces, Katerina Alexandrovna, Duchess of Oldenburg, now wants to forget that she ever used her special powers. She’s about to set off to pursue her lifelong dream of attending medical school when she discovers that Russia’s arch nemesis–who she thought she’d destroyed–is still alive. So on imperial orders, Katerina remains at her old finishing school. She’ll be safe there, because the empress has cast a potent spell to protect it against the vampires and revenants who are bent on toppling the tsar and using Katerina for their own gains. But to Katerina’s horror, the spell unleashes a vengeful ghost within the school, a ghost more dangerous than any creature trying to get in.
My Thoughts: Book one, The Gathering Storm, took me by surprise. I was totally drawn into the world, the magic and the secrets. Book two picks up shortly after book one left off. After having her life-long dream of medical school nearly become a reality Katerina has been told that she must go back to Smolny for one more year. To make a frustrating situation worse, she is still trying to figure out how to deal with her necromancy.
There are a number of events going on in this book. As it says in the summary, the empress has cast a spell on the school to protect those within. Unfortunately the spell also makes it so Katerina cannot leave. She is trapped at school with a ghost who seems extremely upset by recent changes. George is off getting the training he needs. Katerina’s brother is doing the same. Princess Alix has come to Smolny and she is as shy and mysterious as ever. Katerina and Danilo still have their blood bond. Katerina is still not a fan. We are also introduced to some new characters and new twists. Overall, we learn quite a lot. I was interested in the changing events.
While I enjoyed this book (I read it in one sitting) I didn’t find it as magical as book one. I felt like all the “big” secrets were already out. I didn’t get that edge of my seat, breathless feeling like before. Things picked up toward the end and i felt much more drawn in. We are certainly set up for big things in book three! I can’t wait to see how all of the “major” issues are resolved and where Katrina ends up!
If you enjoy your history with a twist of magic The Katerina Trilogy is not to be missed!
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