Words like unnatural and impure started the whispers.
From the very beginning, Ivy Blackwood was different. She was only a child when she was accused of setting the fire, one she passively watched engulf the small house she had called home. Her fingertips burned and her hair singed. Some who watched her crossed themselves, convinced she was soulless for she showed no emotion at all. Calm and … Calm and dispassionate, even when the screaming started that quickly turned to bellows of agony before dying into nothing but the roaring of the fire.
She was locked away where she couldn’t bring harm to herself or others. To all involved, they had protected the world from a monster, but sometimes things are not what they seem.
more
Wow! This book was pretty awesome! When I first dug into this book, I couldn’t remember what it was about. I read the blurb and got sent the arc a while later so I went into this blind. Which, in my opinion, was a good way to go.
There is so much that happened in this book! It’s murder mystery slash paranormal-ish slash symbolic and dark and just wild! It has multiple POV’s and I love that we get to see several aspects. There’s definitely something a-brewing in good ‘ol New Orleans and it’s dark, mysterious, and coming soon! The beginning of the book starts off strange, with a dark house, murders, and so many questions. When we meet Ivy there are so many missing pieces, old memories, it’s all cloudy and odd and hard to tell what’s real and what’s not. As you keep reading and pieces start falling into place it’s like, “Ohhh!! Woah!” the author has a great imagination and you can tell she was very invested in this book from the detail and the way everything connected, small and big.
I did figure out who Ivy was, maybe midway through the book, but there were so many other connections/links that surprised me. Everyone played a specific role in this and it was really cool to see that come in to play. I’m excited to see what the next book holds for us. More secrets to uncover, more love for others in that entire crew and hoping to hear more about Aine. Some revelations completely threw me, so it was interesting seeing the outcome and will be interesting seeing things that haven’t yet been revealed. I feel like I can’t quite express how I feel about this book the way I want to, but just know it’s awesome and I can’t wait for the next installment. Also, this would be a really cool tv series…just saying!
#B2BKristina
5 GRIPPING STARS!! OMG, this is not my genre I normally read and I am so glad stepped outside of my comfort zone. I could not put this book down, it was so good and interesting. The storyline was so gripping it kept pulling me into the story and would not let go. I can’t wait for the next book to come out.
Where to begin! LA Fiore can definitely make your heart stutter and then beat faster and faster with this book. Hypnotizing and haunting. I couldn’t look away. The pain ,the fear and intense emotions all rolled into each chapter. Memory can be our best feature or our worst nightmare. Unfortunately for Ivy I think it was a little bit of both. Such a strong and courageous woman. Definitely 5 brilliantly blazing stars for this one!!
This book grabbed me almost straight away , starts with boy flirting with girl, a dare that ends with a gruesome find & that’s just the opening .The amazing ride in between that & the end will have you holding your breath & probably turning the light on because this book gives you chills , it’s not just paranormal , there is plenty of that but its also full of magic , a thriller , a crime novel even a love story .Ivy is a fascinating character who you can’t help but like even at times you are not sure what world she’s in or even if that worlds real .Looking forward to much more from this series .
Mystery, Murder and Mardi Gras.
A dark, symbolic, paranormal masterpiece, The Gathering is a truly mind blowing novel from the fairytale queen herself. Did you find your heart captured by Savage? While a truly unique storyline, The Gathering gives you more of those dark Grimm fairytale feels, unpredictability and the hidden depths that’ll have you analysing every word you read. Plus, it being set in the city that’s number 1 on my travel bucket list? That was an added bonus, I got to experience a city I long to visit, described so beautifully I felt like I was really there.
This is truly another gift we’ve had bestowed on us and I wait excitedly and impatiently for the next book from this absolute unicorn of an author.
Warning!! The first few chapters had me literally shaking and I had to turn the light on. lol.
Her words created a masterpiece of vivid imagery, from the beginning where I was cowering under my covers to the mystical places of the supernatural. I was blown away by the power of her words in this book. The romantic side of the story will bring tears to yours eyes and break your heart, it is that beautiful. Ivy and Bain’s story is a romance that transcends time, distance and mystical barriers. I would give this book 10 stars if I could. This is hands down the best book I have read this year. Calling it paranormal doesn’t do it justice because it is so much more than that. You have romance, a chilling thriller, mystical and magical beings and a beautiful story
L.A. Fiore is one of my all time favorite authors because of how she pulls you into the story and makes you feel what the characters are feeling. She did it again with The Gathering; it is the first time she has done paranormal, but it doesn’t show. You would think paranormal was her specialty with how realistic and captivating this story is. From page one, it snags you and doesn’t let go and by the last page you don’t want it to ever end. Can’t wait for more Ivy Blackwood Chronicles!
When you read the description of this book your going to scratch your head and be like ok, but let me tell you, the description only scratches the surface of this epic tale of good and evil, right and wrong, greed and sacrifice.
When it comes to Ivy, you will connect with her right from the start. As the story goes on and you start to understand her and all the motives of the story you will buckle in and just take each twist and turn as they come. All the characters play such a huge role in the bigger picture. This book was told from multiple POVs and while I was worried that it wouldn’t work, the author proved me wrong and really had it flow perfectly and I needed all the PoVs to get the story.
This book played havoc on my head and heart but it was so worth it. It was a wild ride, with an intense plot and beautiful writing. I laughed, cried and swore that I was going to stop reading to be an adult and I was never really able to do that. It consumed me. I had to find out what was going to happen.
If you are looking for something Intense, mysterious and all consuming then pick up this book. You won’t be sorry that you gave it a chance. I devoured it as fast as I could while savoring it because it was that good.
I can write hundreds for reviews and they never seem to get easier. When you read an amazing book it’s even hard to get into all the feeling because you don’t want to risk spoiling the book for others. That’s where I am at. I don’t want to spoil but I want to just rant and rave and just express. At times this review may seem like a jumbled messy just know that it’s hard to contain all my feelings for this book. 5 stars #2OCCJD
I’m a lover of words; partly, because I’m a high school English teacher, but mostly, because I find writers’ ability to fluidly string words together in a way that clearly illustrates the ‘voices in their head’ and illicits a response from their audience to be a compelling tool for offering insights, teaching lessons, or just simply entertaining readers.
There’s a sense of power in words, both the oral and written ones, and while they can serve as weapons, the ones that consume me…that awaken my imagination…that lure me in and hold reign over me until the final word is read are the ones that empower me to continue to teach my students how to use them correctly, making them so much more than simply a means to communicate.
In my almost 41 years, I’ve read A LOT of books; you don’t become an English teacher with a Masters in English without being introduced to an expansive library of texts, but up until about 5 or 6 years ago, I had never ventured into the romance world because I thought I knew what good writing was…what literary storytelling was, but I can wholeheartedly say that I was just being a pretentious snob, and that revelation changed my entire view on what constitutes a piece of literature, and what I’ve learned since becoming a member of the romance community is that the craft of writing cannot be singularly defined, and it’s through my need for escapism and my need to experience stories that speak to my heart and to my soul that my role in the book world has grown, offering me the opportunity to Beta read and also proofread as well as granting me a look inside the makings of a story, of its characters, and of its lessons, and I’ll forever be grateful for it because one of the many authors it allowed me to form a bond with is L.A. Fiore, and it’s her newest release, The Gathering, that made be fall in love with lyrical words, multifaceted characters, and a setting that offers up a world of possibilities.
I can’t begin to concretely explain just how epic Ivy and Bain’s story is, but I’ll try because it’s a book that deserves to be praised. The Gathering is a love story of epic proportions…not just between a man and a woman or otherworldly beings but it illustrates the love of life…of the choice of how to live and what to live for, and as difficult as it is to keep the world balanced with both good and evil and the sacrifices that have to be made to do so, there’s a hope that in the face of adversity, selflessness will light the way and allow a fresh start…a new beginning of sorts, for all those involved. An despite the loss, there’s a hopeful lesson at the end and a challenge to humanity to keep one another in check but not by intolerance and anger but by realizing the bigger picture and choosing to bring light instead of dark to the forefront.
Even though there are a plethora of characters and plot lines, it’s easy to understand how everyone and everything fits together in the big picture because as the story progresses, the author guides her readers to realize exactly how all of the characters are connected and just what’s at stake, not only for New Orleans and the main people involved, but also for the world at large. Readers learn so much about mankind’s strengths and weaknesses through the events of The Gathering, and in some ways, those characteristics are embodied by the supernatural beings involved, clearly illustrating a commonality between other worldly creatures and human beings. All of mankind as well as other worldly beings are flawed and all have the ability to choose right or wrong, and what becomes quite obvious as those decisions are made is that those two paths are not exactly opposite; they actually run next to each other, allowing some to veer in one and then the other until a final decision has to be made…one that there may not be any turning back from.
Every character that L.A. Fiore crafted for Ivy and Bain’s story, regardless of how big or small their impact is, plays a significant role for the resolution of the book, so it’s important to understand all the players involved, where they stand, and the effect they have, not only on the pivotal events throughout the story line, but also in the grand scheme of things. ‘Seeing is believing’ is an important idea, not only for those individuals refuse to acknowledge that which is unknown, but also for readers as they traverse through the story and are exposed to the supernatural beings and events that transform New Orleans and have the potential to destroy the world.
Ivy and Bain’s love transcends time and space, and as their past comes full circle into their present, readers see what they both sacrificed and endured for their powerful connection. It’s quite interesting to see the contrast between Bain and Ivy…her innocence and in some ways timidity to his brashness and girth for lack of a better word. It’s exciting to explore the 21st Century through Ivy’s eye, knowing she doesn’t quite understand but the fact that she loves all the chaos adds to her awe. There’s pureness in Ivy and Bain’s bond and as their memories are explained and truths revealed, it’s clear just who they are to each other and why nothing can break what was created so long ago.
The Gathering is a powerful story filled with multifaceted characters, a setting that is both spellbinding and horrifying, and a plot rich in tumultuously evil actions as well as emphatically good moments and like all happy endings…good defeats evil…perhaps not in the way once thought but in a way that tips the scales maybe just a little bit in good’s favor.
The world and characters L.A. Fiore created in Ivy and Bain’s story are ones that I won’t soon forget, and the fact that Jareth’s story is up next has me anxiously waiting to reunite with the members of Ivy and Bain’s extended family, hoping that the momentum gained in The Gathering will continue to hold true as the series continues.
5+ Poison Apples Review
I’m not especially into Fantasy/Supernatural romance, but with L.A. Fiore, I had to give it a try.
And with Ivy and Bain’s love story, she stole my heart.
I don’t want to give away too much, so I’ll just say: Enjoy the journey.
The story unfolds in a way that the reader keeps wondering and reconsidering practically everything: unexplained events, mysteries, twists, magic, amazing supporting characters, but above all, a beautiful love story that transcends everything.
And when you finally get the whole picture… Ah, I’ll shut up!
Grab this book, go blind and let the author surprise you and see how real love doesn’t care about time, mortality and sacrifice.
Excellent job, L.A. Fiore!
***ARC kindly provided by the author in exchange for an honest review***
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I was originally drawn to this book after reading the blurb, it really intrigued me as it gave me just enough information to get the paranormal lover in me excited and the cover of this book is truly stunning. This story surprisingly isn’t what I was expecting at all and I must mention that I feel like it jumped around a lot for the first few chapters but once I got fully immersed into the plot things all started to fall into place and I really liked the direction of where the story was going.
It’s set in New Orleans during Marci Gras, featuring murders, mayhem and the gathering of hunters, vampires, witches and demons and an all powerful evil that is trying to enter our human world. Sheriff of New Orleans Josiah Abiviny and his deputy Cyril Gaudet while trying to solve recent murders uncover a connection with a case from the past where a young girl called Ivy Blackwood was taken to an hospital for the mentally ill called Misty Vale some twenty years ago after she supposedly started a house fire in which her foster parents died. Her connection is claw like marks on her neck that resemble those of the recent murder victims, only she doesn’t know how she got them.
There is lots of interwoven twists in this story that I never saw coming and after some questions were answered it left me with a lot more questions I wanted even more answers to. It’s a very unique story with plenty of action and it kept me gripped to the very end. It’s a paranormal lovers dream and I enjoyed it very much. I’m looking forward to where LA Fiore will take the story and it’s characters in the next book in this series.
***5 Stars***
What a ride!
From start to finish I was hooked!
This book gave me the creeps, had me at the edge of my seat and gave me the swoons. It also had me laughing and falling in love with a whole slew of characters that I want more of and am very happy to know that I will get to spend more time with them as this is just the first in the series.
There is a huge part of me that wants to get into detail about Ivy, as well as Ivy and Bain, but that would just ruin it for you. But what I can say is that I loved the journey that they both took me on. Ivy is a unique character and I loved how her story evolved and unfolded. There were quite a few things I didn’t see coming, but it all worked for me. And as for Bain and Ivy. There’s is an epic romance, a little mind bending, but epic and the swoons these two caused were real.
I know this is quick and vague, but it kind of has to be since to give you more would ruin the story and even now I think I may have given a bit too much, but it is what it is. I loved the world that the author brought to life, it was vivid and bright, even in the darkness and I loved how unique all of the characters were and how they brought more depth to the world at large. And after that epilogue, I cannot wait to get my hands on the next book in the series!
~ Copy provided by The Next Step PR & voluntarily reviewed ~
“I was willing to risk it all, so I could dare to walk where dreams were made.”
This is my first book by L.A. Fiore and man am I hooked! I won’t lie that this cover drew me in. I fell in love with it the second I saw it. I am not usually a paranormal person but the author absolutely nailed this book. I am so thankful I stepped out of my comfort zone, and took a chance. I could not quit reading it. I devoured the pages like a women possesd! Every page thrilled me more than the last. The suspense that surrounds this book is all consuming. I honestly can NOT recommend this book enough! Wow. I am truly almost speechless after finishing this book. At times it was hard to follow yes, but at the same time that added to its appeal. I loved getting submerged in the super natural of this story. Every character The Blackwood Chronicles introduced, grabbed your attention and made you want their story. Ivy and Baine was hauntingly beautiful. I loved reading about their journey. Their story is everything you could want and more. Their chemistry sizzles from the pages of your Kindle. Their love truly has no limits. I loved how everything was a constant puzzle. Its was the perfect web of mystery and fantasy. I did NOT want the book to end! I am on pins and needles for MORE!
“I loved her from the minute I saw her, and I have loved her every day since. Even when I couldn’t remember, even when she was lost to me, a part of me has always hunted for her.”
Ivy is one of my favorite heroines. Everything about her was pure and beautiful. She was one of those heroines you couldn’t help but love. Ivy’s journey was a emotional roller coaster ride, but you loved every minute of it. She wore her emotions on her sleeve and you admired her for it. The love her character had was endless. Ivy’s strength is what drew me to her the most. No matter what obstacle she had to face, she didn’t waver taking it head on with force and determination.
“On some level, I knew him; on some level, he was mine, but not anymore and still my body remembered.”
Baine seriously stole a piece if my heart. Although stoic at times when he allowed his emotions through he was beautiful. His character was full of passion and strength. Everything about his character made you feel warm and safe. His story too, put your emotions through the ringer. My heart ached for him many times. Sadness aside his alpha side was smoking hot. Baine definitely knows how to turn up the heat. Like Ivy his love runs deep. He is out to tell you his story, while stealing your heart along the way.
““I will always come for you. Whatever happens, I will find you.” He sealed that vow with a kiss.”
*5 STARS*
Well earned for one of the most original, and unique stories I have read. The Gathering was one of the most hauntingly beautiful books I have I have had the pleasure of reading. It is most definitely going into my best reads of 2018 folder!
The Gathering has a haunting feel from the very beginning and the mix of paranormal and thriller is well done. There are a number of characters to figure out as the story progresses, but the author does a good job of keeping them distinct. I did have a bit of trouble with Ivy. Her chapters are somewhat scattered and even disjointed at times. Of course, that fits perfectly with her circumstances, but it was disconcerting for me, and she does have a considerable amount of page time. That aside, when I think about the sheer amount of time and effort that had to have gone into plotting this story, I’m amazed at how well it all came together. So much happens along the way that I feel like any details would lead to spoilers, so suffice it to say that The Gathering fits perfectly in the Halloween season. It’s haunting and creepy, and it certainly keeps you on your toes. In the end, there were things I liked and things I struggled with, but this one is certainly worth the read.
4.5 Stars
Having never read an LA Fiore book before I had no preconceived ideas as to what this book was about nor did the synopsis give very much clue either. I can say that it is the first book of a Paranormal Romance series, of which I was particularly eager to read.
What I did know very early on is that this book revolves around Ivy Blackwood, who following an event when she was a child had spent the last two decades in Misty Vale, a mental asylum.
At first it was pretty hard to ascertain the exact purpose of the story, however eventually this became a lot clearer and I was from that moment completely submerged within the story.
I have to say, having read quite a few paranormal romances in the past, that this book is very much driven by the story itself rather than the actual romance. Every character was unique and that quite honestly was a refreshing change especially when you think nothing can surprise you anymore.
Whilst this book took me a little time to get into, I did find that overall it was a great read and it definitely won’t be the last LA Fiore book I read.
I was really apprehensive about The Gathering, especially when the word paranormal was bandied about, I was told it would be ok, to trust…so I did, and I am so glad I did!! I will admit, at first I found it difficult to get into, but suddenly, I don’t know when it happened I was pulled in completely!! I’ve loved all the books from L.A. Fiore that I’ve read, so of course I was going to give The Gathering a chance because I trust L.A. She did an awemazing job with this book!! The characters, especially Ivy and Bain…but the supporting characters were so well developed you cared about them as much as the main characters. I’m not going to say too much about the story itself because I don’t want to give anything away, I read the blurb and that had me equal parts intrigued and nervous, but I’m sooooo glad I read this book, would totally recommend this book, and can’t wait for what comes next in this series!! Thank you L.A. for allowing me the awesome opportunity to read your amazing words, and look forward to seeing what comes next
The Gathering was a little confusing for me at the start. I went in blind and I think I expected a bit of a dark romance with the way the story began. Once I realized the paranormal aspects of the story and as the story progressed with more details coming to light, I did get caught up in the story and enjoyed it more.
“That was the kind of love worth breaking the rules for, worth sacrificing for, worth dying for.”
I enjoyed the atmosphere of the story, the background of New Orleans and the hints of dark magic, ghosts, zombie, etc.
Awesome narration on the audiobook kept me listening from start to finish!
-3.5 Stars!-
The cover fits this book perfectly! After reading the book, this cover describes what you are about to dive into with great accuracy.
I really enjoyed this book because of how different it was. It’s a PNR book with a touch of a horror movie feel to it. In the beginning it was a little confusing because the author was switching between characters without much explanation. It’s a great technique to get the reader to really absorb into the book, to pay attention closely, and to see how everything was going to fit into place.
The further I got into the book, the more fascinated I became, especially in Ivy’s character. For everything that she has been through, she was such a sweet and kind woman. It really pulls you to her more because of how she thirsted for knowledge and cared about everyone she was in contact with. I like that the author did not break her after all that she had been through.
The story of Ivy and Bane is one of the ultimate love stories and made for such a sweet ending. I like that there is so much more that can be done with this series. After getting to know quite a few side characters, I’m looking forward to seeing them all get their own book. I’m also looking forward to learning how the author is going to top this one.
I listened to the audiobook and I highly recommend it. Tracy Marks is one of my all time favorite narrators and I get to add a new favorite male narrator to my list. Aaron Shedlock’s voice is one of the sexiest male voices I have heard and was so easy to listen too. To top that off, he did such a good job of the female characters. I don’t like it when male narrators try to do the high pitch voices for females. I think it is much less jarring when they just change their tone just a bit for the female parts and Aaron did a fantastic job of this.
******* AUDIOBOOK REVIEW *******
W…O…W!!! Like the hugest WOW you’ve ever seen in a review. Ok, I know I’ve started a review with “wow” before but The Gathering is special. I’ve read this book and it was fantastic but having Aaron Shedlock and Tracy Marks perform this book was remarkable. Seriously, are there Oscars for Audiobooks? There should be! I feel like it’s crazy hard to portray emotions through voices alone. It’s something that I really admire about these two narrators. Tracy was able to show an Ivy that’s strong and compassionate, someone so powerful, yet Ivy comes off as serene and gentle, calm in the face of chaos. Now Aaron has his work cut out for him. He didn’t have just Bain to portray but Josiah as well. I felt comfortable in knowing who was who, and he would jump between them a bit. It was really a great show of talent on the narrator’s part. Bain won me over so quickly. He loves with all he is, so honestly and passionately. It makes him irresistible! He has this ferocity that Aaron mimics impeccably. Josiah has had the shock of his lifetime and, again Aaron Shedlock was able to show his shock and confusion while still making him seem confident and knowledgeable.
There are quite a bit of characters to meet and learn about. I’ll be honest, there were times that I was like oh no, not another character but so many are supporting characters and many more have larger roles with distinctive personalities that you’ll be able to follow pretty clearly. It’s impossible to not fall for everyone on Ivy’s team. They all have such defined characteristics. I was fascinated with all the Gods and Goddesses, the shifters, the vampires, the Lycans, the demons, fairies, witches, and ghosts. This is one of the best examples of a paranormal stories I’ve read. Everything flows so effortlessly together.
One would think it’d be difficult to paint a story so vividly with words the way LA Fiore does in The Gathering. But you will SEE the epicness of this story in her words. Gah! I just can’t recommend it enough! I know I haven’t really told much of the story… I’ve given small ideas here and there. The Gathering is not a book that can be dissected… it needs to be read and appreciated. The Gathering demands to be the topic of book clubs everywhere!
It was an interesting read. It had lots of intrigue and suspense. I enjoyed the love story the most from this book. I recommend this book and this author.