JR Konkol’s GATHERING THE FALLEN is quite clearly the second book in a series, a continuation of a story (not a story in itself) and interested readers should begin with the first book, Citadel of the Fallen, before attempting this one. However, it does its job as the second book quite well, continuing the vigor and emotional power of the tale while allowing the heroes to learn more about themselves and the peril that they and their civilization face, a peril which will hopefully be resolved in a future book or books. The story is vigorous and lively, with danger and new revelations around every corner, and does not hesitate to show death, destruction, and utter catastrophe in both small and large forms.
Konkol has a gift for vivid descriptive language, drawing the reader quickly and readily into the heart of the story – the squeamish or weak-stomached reader should be warned that this can be overwhelming in places, even as it adds to the book’s dramatic tension and emotional force. While having so many protagonists is sometimes a risky choice – with the chance of confusing the reader or lessening attachment to the heroes – this one does a fine job of developing all of them, letting reader’s see from each character’s perspective in turn (not only our heroes, but also villains and minor characters) and giving us a sense of who they are and what drives them. For example, the fact that each of the protagonists seems to have a different name for the “second souls” that possess them and give them their powers – Attia’s Ally, Liam’s Guest, Eliana’s Guilt, Malcolm’s Other, and Conner’s Demon – is a quick, clear way of showing the reader their attitudes towards and sometimes-mixed emotions about these new companions and developments in their lives. The benefit to having so many protagonists, of course, is that since they cover a diverse range of personality types and talents, most readers are bound to find one or more who appeal to them in particular. The choice to tell the story in places from the villains’ perspectives also gives the reader a solid view of them as fully-developed characters with motivations and purposes of their own, sometimes conflicting with each other. The ending, while of course it does not resolve the whole story, does a good job of setting up for the final act of the overarching tale and leaving the reader eager to see how it finishes. In short, GATHERING THE FALLEN is an strong second installment in a lively and engaging fantasy series.
The second in the Rebirth of the Fallen series, GATHERING THE FALLEN does a fine job of continuing the story with energy and drama, though it should not be read as a standalone work.
~Catherine Langrehr for IndieReader