The Gathering: The Ivy Blackwood Chronicles
By: L.A. Fiore
Narrated by: Tracy Marks, Aaron Shedlock
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 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.
Momma Says: 5 stars⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I read this one when it released and enjoyed the story, but the audio version takes it up a notch or two. Tracy Marks and Aaron Shedlock add a nuance to the story that pulled me in and held me from the very beginning. There are a lot of characters to get to know, but once they were worked out and sorted in my head, it was easy to pick up with each person's point of view. The story has a haunting feel to it from the very beginning that keeps a listener guessing about the what's, who's, and why's. The author blends the paranormal, a bit of folklore, and that edge of your seat element wonderfully to create a steadily rising tension as secrets are revealed bit by bit. The character development, especially considering the sheer amount of characters involved, is astounding. Love them or hate them, each character is interesting and adds something to the story. The creep factor is pretty high at times, but there are also moments of levity with some brilliantly witty dialogue, and we even get some romance in the mix. I recommend it to anyone who enjoys a few chills with the supernatural, and appreciates a love story that stands the test of time. The conclusion is rather open-ended, leaving the future open for this unlikely bunch of heroes. I don't know if another Ivy Blackwood Chronicles story is planned, but if so, I'll certainly be checking it out.
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