Book Review: The Gathering Storm

Reviewed By: Harriet Klausner

The Gathering Storm     Amazon US PB Amazon US HC Amazon Canada PB Amazon Canada HC
Kate Elliott
Class/Genre:   Fantasy
Series: Crown Of Stars # 5
Daw, Feb 2003, $24.95, 625 pp.

The ancient spell that exiled the Aoi from the planet is failing to hold. Thus the elven horde is expected to return soon, which means havoc and perhaps the final pandemic cataclysm. Also coming back to her home is Liath, after learning to use her powers while being away for a week in her time, but four years on her home world. While she was gone, her husband Prince Sanglant has raised an army and has tried to obtain the griffins as an ally in the upcoming war.

As Sanglant and Liath want to rediscover one another, the future of humanity will not allow them to linger together. Separately they must abort the efforts of mathematici Anne and Hugh and their supporters from recasting the original spell that displaced the Aoi over a millennium ago as success means most likely planetary devastation at a level never seen before.

The fifth epic tale in the "Crown of Stars" sextet, THE GATHERING STORM, is a complex exciting fantasy, but is also difficult to follow especially for newcomers. The action-packed story line includes numerous subplots and a cast in the DeMille numbers. Still, fans of the series will gain much pleasure from Kate Elliot’s latest effort as the key players struggle in their own way with the almost certain end of the world.

Harriet Klausner

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Harriet Klausner