A.E. Bennett

Got a complimentary copy of this book from VR.

I found the story very rich in plot, although somewhat complicated to keep up with at times due to the many many POV to keep track of, not that I didn't enjoy them, because I did, immensely.

The characters all meet during their own escape from troubles along the way. They fight together. They are the gathered 4. The bond they share after spending time together on their perilous journey is chaotic and messy at times, full of tension and humour and show more love.

There are some deeply troubling aspects in this book we meet around halfway, that I pushed through, I'm not a fan of these aspects, so I am incredibly thankful that Bennett didn't go into horribly graphic detail on said things because it would have ended up in my DNF pile.

The magic theme here was interesting, xanthis are the only ones with access. With the world setting being a post apocalypse/dystopian environment, people seem to be fearful of magic, sort of peasant/sentry simpering idgits afraid of anything different that could spark change. This is so different from most fantasy books today, that are all yay, magic, look at my sparkles! Not that I don't love that too.

This book followed around an interesting theme of a comet, although nothing really happened in regards to the comet, except mentions of it frequently? Hoping for more in book 2.

It has some smut, unexpectedly, but all at the end?Why?? Except a saucy little MM scene just after the midway mark

I'm desperately hoping for a romance to develop between L&L. Just so you know, better not let me down.

It was a decent sci-fi/dystopian/fantasy novel.
It's definitely worth a read, but not suitable for YA audiences. I will recommend.

Giving it a solid 4*. show less

HERE AND THERE by author A.E. Bennett was the perfect horror short story to get my spooky season started!

An unnamed protagonist suffers both in a world of insomnia and nightmares, where they are plagued with horrific scenes of past atrocities and well… nightmares come to life. Then in the real world, people are nightmarish in different ways, and they have to deal with rejection from their family who don’t accept them for who they are, and harassment in the workplace. Where can you turn show more when nowhere feels safe and you can’t get any sleep? This was thought provoking and had a cool twist at the end! 5/5 stars. show less

In 1997, I remember standing outside one of my first apartments and looking up at Comet Hale-Bopp. Little did I know at the time that the comet–with one blue tail and one yellow–would play a part in the demise of a cult named Heaven’s Gate which I have since read about and studied ad nauseum. I recall thinking to myself at the time: “Self, what would life on Earth be like when the comet returns to the solar system in 4385?”

In the Gathering of the Four: Book One of the Serrulata show more Saga by A.E. Bennett, we are given one possible version, and it is one that I would not have guessed. Rather than some idyllic, technologically advanced future with flying cars and robots, the world of 4385 (at least within this first book in the series) is a medieval one that reminded me both of Game of Thrones with its various families and any other book set in pre-Renaissance Europe.

Leora–an orphan with yellow eyes and abilities that include producing fire, transforming her appearance, healing and more–learns that she is to be sold into slavery. She runs from her adoptive family and joins up with three other deep, and very well-developed characters: a thief and ragamuffin named Roland, a refined lady of the gentry named Aurora, and a soldier named Leopold. Together, they make strong bonds, escape from those who hunt them down, and learn to survive on the road.

Gathering of the Four is filled with adventure, high stakes, familial spats, and blossoming love while being reflective on racial prejudices, societal constructs and norms which are still apparent even 2300 years from now. The look back on our own version of life through the eyes of these travelers was great to see, and the character development was so complete and rich that they became “book friends” by the end.

Bennett’s writing is crisp, witty, philosophical at times, and filled with great narration that rarely detracts from the storyline. I greatly appreciated each chapter’s epigraph and the detail with which the evolution and devolution of our society is both shown and hinted at. Gathering of the Four is the setup to a great series, and one that I am excited to continue. show less

I was so excited to see the next book in the SERRULATA SAGA was coming out! I love Leora, Aurora, Leopold and Roland and was eager to see the next stage in their journey. Things for the gang are a bit bleak in spots. They’ve left the Realm, but are dealing with injuries and threats. Characters have vivid nightmares in this book, so vivid that you’re not sure if perhaps they’re really being temporarily transported in a vision back to another time. The writing and world building are just show more so well done. I loved how I could see each scene as if I was really there, whether it was the nightmare of a tortured White Rider, or a scene back at Tower Records in 1999 before Y2K. I enjoyed seeing how all the characters developed in this second main book in the series, especially Leora, who continues to develop her Xancraft power, and Leopold the White Rider, who are two of my favorites. Eve continues to be held prisoner by Alrich. There was more steam in this one versus the first book, and I enjoyed seeing the heat turned up between some of the pairings (I love Aurora/Roland, although I reaaally ship Leora and Leopold… swoons!). All of the characters have interesting backstories and the way that the backstories are woven together makes them compelling. We also meet some new and interesting characters in this one, too. Excited to see where the series goes next!! 5/5 stars. show less