Gathering of the Four by A.E. Bennett
Series: The Serrulata Saga #1

“In the Realm, every citizen knows their place.”

Leora of Mae is a young woman orphaned at birth and raised on a remote farm. As a wielder of Xanthcraft, her abilities set her apart from her adoptive family and the other villagers.

Shortly before her twentieth birthday, she learns of her family’s plot to sell her into servitude. Fearing for her life, she flees from the only home she’s ever known—defying societal conventions and breaking the edicts of the Realm.

As she runs, Leora meets Roland Shallowbrook, a traveler on the Thieves’ Road; Lady Aurora Verte, daughter of a powerful member of the gentry; and the White Rider Leopold, a soldier with a secret.

Now, this found family will have to band together to survive.

Set in the far distant future, Gathering of the Four is the first book in The Serrulata Saga.

Genres: Adventure, Fantasy, Sci-fi
Pages: 508
ISBN: 9798724937610
ASIN: B08ZJRXBGV
Format: ARC, eBook
Source: VRO
on 02/04/2021
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My Thoughts

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 four. The bond they share after spending time together on their perilous journey is chaotic and messy at times, full of tension and humour and love.

It feels like the journey they take and the friendships they form, are all very deeply connected. Each character is able to overcome their pasts, growing into their own and allowing hope in for what lurks beyond the wall. A better life.

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. The world is divided into two classifications, no magic at all or Xanthis, the latter being are the only ones with access to magic.
This of course, allows for the magically inclined to be shunned, forced out in to the day to day world, and inevitably to be hunted down.

With the world setting being a post apocalypse/dystopian environment, the townspeople seem to be fearful of magic. The vibe comes across as sort of peasant/sentry simpering idjits afraid of anything different, that could spark change.
Not only is this very interesting, it also is rather heartbreaking.
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, but a change is rather nice.

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

This story has some smut, unexpectedly admittedly, but all occurs at the end?
Why??
Except, a saucy little M/M scene just after the midway mark.
That will settle the mood of disappointed smut fans.

I’m desperately hoping for a romance to develop between L&L.
Just so you know Bennett, you better not let me down now.
You’ve hooked me, the least you can do is reel me in!

It was a decent sci-fi/dystopian/fantasy novel.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book. In spite of the uncomfortable bits.
It’s definitely worth a read, but not suitable for the younger YA audiences, due to content I as an adult woman found uncomfortable.

I am excited to read more of Bennetts work though, so completing the series will be a must for me.