A Novel Life: The Unfailing Light by Robin Bridges

Reviewed by Laura

I haven’t really read much gothic novels since starting my review blog, but I am a huge fan of the genre. I was contacted if I’d be interested in reviewing The Unfailing Light and I have to admit I was excited to have a change of pace in my reading, but also a bit hesitant because this is book #2 in a series. I hadn’t read book #1. After reading book #2, I would suggest starting with the first book. It’s easy enough to get a good sense of what’s going on, but I think the background story would have added to the pleasure of The Unfailing Light.

The story takes place in Russia in 1889. Katerina (Katiya) Alexandrovna, the Duches of Oldenburg is a necromancer (can bring people back from the dead) and many of those around her also posses supernatural abilities. Katiya wants very much to be a doctor and has been given permission to do so, until Konstantin the Deathless returns threatening Katiya. Instead of being able to go off to medical school, she is sent back to her old finishing school where the empress is able to protect her using a spell. The spell however, has awakened a ghost.

I rather liked Katiya who is just 17 and seemed to me dealing with all this supernatural stuff by herself. At the beginning of the book she was very close with her cousin, Dariya but after Katiya returns to her old school she no longer feels she can trust her cousin (a lady in waiting). There is also an interesting love triangle. There is George who has Katiya’s heart, but after he goes off to Paris he really doesn’t seem to have too much to do with her. Then there is Danilo, whom she has a blood bond with (not sure of the whole back story, but she isn't interested and he wants to marry her). During her time at the school Danilo is able to communicate with her telepathically. Oh and she wants nothing to do with Danilo!

Katiya for me was a very likable character. I felt bad for her because she wanted nothing more than to help, but sometimes her helping caused more issues. I also felt bad for her because she clearly needs some sort of a mentor to help her with her powers.

The story starts kinda slow with little bits of action and information, but sort of explodes at the end of the book. There was even a moment where I was blown away! I'll be honest and say I had a hard time keeping track of all the characters and keeping straight who was in the dark and who was in the light court (a chart in the front would have been helpful). Also, all those Russian names! The story itself was very enjoyable. I wished I had read book #1 THE GATHERING STORM and I will be watching for the next book in the series.

If you enjoy Gothic books at all I would recommend this one!

Follow Robin Bridges

Facebook | Twitter | Website

Buy THE UNFAILING LIGHT

Amazon | Barnes & Noble

FTC Disclaimer
As of December 1, 2009, According to The Federal Trade Commission (FTC), product reviewers on blogs must disclose whether they received products for free or received payment for their review.

The books we review on this site (A NOVEL REVIEW) are sent to us by publishers, authors or downloaded from Netgalley. This is a very common practice. We never take payments for these reviews and all the reviews on this site are our own thoughts and feelings and are not influenced.

Here are Other stops for THE UNFAILING LIGHT blog tour!!!

September 24^th: Smitten Over Books

September 25^th: Casey’s Crew

September 26^th: Much Ado About Books

September 26^th: The Streetlight Reader

September 27^th: Infinite Reads

September 28^th: The Hiding Spot

September 29^th: Girls *Heart* Books

October 1^st: Mom Reads My Books

October 2^nd: Magical Urban Fantasy Reads

October 2^nd: The Book Review Club

October 3^rd: The Book Review Club