“THE UNFAILING LIGHT,” by Robin Bridges, Delacorte Books for Young Readers, Oct. 9, 2012, Hardcover, $17.99 (young adult)
Katerina Alexandrovna is the duchess of Oldenburg. She’s been born to a life of luxury. She’s also been born to a life of duty. After saving Russia from dark forces she’s even more aware of what’s expected of her.
Katerina is the royal court’s necromancer.
All Katerina wants to do is forget about her “gift” for raising the dead. She’s about to start medical school and move on with her life, but that changes when she learns Russia’s arch nemesis is still alive. Now Katerina must return to her old finishing school, restricted to the ground on imperial orders. She’s supposed to be safe there. All of the students are supposed to be safe. But the spells cast to protect the school unleash a new terror — a vengeful ghost who’s more dangerous than anything trying to get in.
The follow-up to “The Gathering Storm” is a strong mid-trilogy read that has an actual stand-alone plot to set it apart from the series as a whole. It’s nice not to feel as if the book exists only to move the story forward enough for the final novel. That said, readers should definitely read “The Gathering Storm” prior to taking on “The Unfailing Light.”
In the second book of the Katerina Trilogy, author Robin Bridges continues to build on the mysticism and intrigue surrounding Imperial Russia. This novel, however goes deeper into magical elements from the beginning and continues to build upon it.
Like its predecessor, “The Unfailing Light,” is a fast and accessible read that is interesting from a number of aspects. Robin has managed to maintain her momentum throughout. Here’s hoping she can continue that streak through the trilogy’s final book.
