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The Gathering Dark

3.71 of 5 stars 3.71 · rating details · 197 ratings · 42 reviews

A mysterious teen boy knows the secrets of Keira’s dangerous hallucinations in this gripping romantic fantasy from the author of Claire de Lune.

Keira’s hallucinating. First it’s a door hovering above the road; then it’s a tree in her living room. But with her parents fighting and her best friend not speaking to her, Keira can’t tell anyone about her breakdown.

Until she mee...more

Hardcover, 512 pages

Published February 12th 2013 by Simon Pulse

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Feb 15, 2013 Sam rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: arc-or-galley, paranormal, science-fiction, romance, fantasy-or-paranormal

The Gathering Dark, unfortunately, is not nearly as intriguing as it sounds. With the main character plagued by obscure and mysterious hallucinations – trees appearing indoors, dark moving patterns appearing on a stranger’s arms – this book is simply a long and tedious journey to finding out the how and why. The concept, once revealed, is actually rather imaginative. By then, however, it is far too late to be truly redeeming.

It is almost like reading two different books here. The first half is a...more The Gathering Dark, unfortunately, is not nearly as intriguing as it sounds. With the main character plagued by obscure and mysterious hallucinations – trees appearing indoors, dark moving patterns appearing on a stranger’s arms – this book is simply a long and tedious journey to finding out the how and why. The concept, once revealed, is actually rather imaginative. By then, however, it is far too late to be truly redeeming.

It is almost like reading two different books here. The first half is a slow trek uphill, with a fairly uninteresting main character for company. Keira is difficult to describe as there is little that is genuinely distinguishable about her outside of the hallucinations. Calling her dull may be a little harsh, but the word is disappointingly accurate here. She has a strict schedule with her beloved piano, which isn’t at all a bad thing (pianos are cool), but the excessive descriptions and thoughts centred around her musical abilities become extremely tiring after a short while. There is only so much you can say about a piano before I lose interest entirely. It perhaps doesn’t help that the bare minimum takes place during the first couple hundred pages of the book. And even less so that the writing is a fraction too awkward:

“The oily-smooth voice cracked her focus like an egg smashing against a windowpane.”

The figurative language is not a consistent thing in this book, admittedly, but, when presented with a simile like the one above (on the first page, no less), it is not too difficult to feel the need to locate other equally ridiculous sentences. The dialogue, too, is lacking authenticity, especially when love interest Walker is a participant in the conversation. The two, perhaps not too surprisingly, are inexplicably drawn to each other, and bond over their shared love for music. Walker is puppy-like at times and (what I imagine is supposed to be) dangerously enigmatic at others. Whilst not a staggeringly poor character, he is incredibly lacklustre and forgettable. My feelings towards him, and to the romance in general, in fact, are mostly of indifference.

Once the reasons for Keira’s hallucinations are finally revealed, the book takes a far more interesting turn. While the storyline during the final part of the book is not of a particularly high standard compared to several other and better books that involve a similar concept, it is a great deal of an improvement from the first half, plot-wise. (Mild spoilers ahead). A few aspects are weakly explained, however, even when taking into account the uncertainty of dark matter, such as why Darkside is clearer to Keira when in physical contact with Walker. Ignoring these, the science-fiction edge is a clever touch and fairly original, even if the build-up to the introduction is far too elongated.

Despite the brief turn-around towards the end, The Gathering Dark is not a book I can easily recommend. My first book by Christine Johnson will now most likely be my last.

(This review also appears on my blog)(less)

24 likes · like · see review

Jan 09, 2013 Wendy Darling rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: young-adult, 2013-publication, february, ss, adolescent-wish-fulfillment, read-2013, heroines-wimpy, skimmed-or-unfinished

1.5 stars DNF at roughly 200 pages. Probably should have stopped on page 13 at this line:

His eyes were mesmerizing--like watching the gray sheets of rain working their way in from the Atlantic.

39 likes · like · see review

Mar 31, 2013 Lyndsey rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: about-love-interest-assassin-plot, about-alternate-parallel-universes, about-music-or-songs, 3rd-person-limited, past-tense, pacing-slooooooow, could-have-been-shorter, made-me-disconnect-from-characters, made-me-struggle-to-finish-reading, made-me-put-the-book-down-often, read-in-2013, prose-cheesy, prose-infodump, prose-wordy, rated-2-stars, romance-mysterious-newbie, romance-forbidden, pov-primarily-female, about-super-special-chosen-one, reviewed-2013

I really didn't care for this book. But I LOVE LOVE LOVE the author.

The Author's Note at the end of the book completely won me over. I can't express how much I adore the fact that she is advocating for the sciences. Though the so-called "science" in this book is complete bullhonky, her note inspiring readers to explore the grand world of physics really made me happy. So for that - much love!

So I did not read the summary or any reviews about this book before I started, and I'm so glad that didn't...more I really didn't care for this book. But I LOVE LOVE LOVE the author.

The Author's Note at the end of the book completely won me over. I can't express how much I adore the fact that she is advocating for the sciences. Though the so-called "science" in this book is complete bullhonky, her note inspiring readers to explore the grand world of physics really made me happy. So for that - much love!

So I did not read the summary or any reviews about this book before I started, and I'm so glad that didn't. Had I known beforehand that this book was about dark matter, I would have been beyond stoked to read it and would have been sorely, sorely disappointed.

As someone who has read quite a lot about physics, I was practically banging my head against the wall in regards to the science in this book. The fact that a young adult book features the concept of dark matter thrills me beyond belief, but I can't help but feel let down by the way it was used in the story. It felt like an add-on. It seemed like an invented fantasy land that had dark matter thrown in to "explain" the alternate dimension. Kind of like how George Lucas decided to throw midichlorians into Star Wars as some sort of attempt at explaining the Force with science. A lame attempt at science does not science fiction make. Just admit that the story is fantasy and that the science doesn't really work. There's nothing wrong with that.

Maybe my expectations for the science in my science fiction are just too high.

This is a huge book, and almost nothing happens until maybe halfway through. Honestly, I was about to put down the book for good when the magic words "dark matter" caught my attention. I just had to keep going in the hopes that the book would do justice to one of my favorite scientific phenomenons. I'm sad to say that I don't believe it did.

But still, kudos for the love of science. And if this book gets young people interested in the sciences and inspires them to pursue knowledge, then it's definitely worth a read!

But anywho - if you don't plan on reading the book or are just curious about the science involved, here is a SPOILER FILLED run-down (seriously guys, this is like hella major spoils so don't click if you plan to read the book): (view spoiler)(less)

8 likes · like · see review

Jul 24, 2012 Anastasia & Demitra marked it as to-read

For some reason, I'm wondering how, and why her BEST friend left her. Maybe they got into a best-friend-fight. And Keira got a little ... angry? MAYBE she did somethinglikethis ...

Her best friend was probably ... Freaked.Somethinglike this ?

And then we have this Walker, character. Hmm ... I'm picturing a little mysterious, HOTT, of course.

Seems legit. Hallucinations, you say? I'm sure there's a perfectly reasonable explanation ...

Just kidding. This book sounds intense, sick, and I'm totally...more

26 likes · like · see review

Apr 09, 2012 MonsterReader marked it as books-that-i-need-to-read

Christine Johnson’s THE GATHERING DARK, about a gifted pianist who discovers that she and the mysterious boy she’s falling for are part of an alternate world made from dark matter, and in a race of love against fear, she must somehow save her life without losing herself.

This book has my name written all over it.

Christine, this book better blow my mind and leave dazzled.

I'm definitely loving the upcoming 2012 books.

8 likes · like · see review

Feb 22, 2013 Bayan Basri rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: female-pov-only, music, no-love-triangle-thank-god, stand-alone, strong-heroin, ya-paranormal

First and foremost I'd like to say that I absolutely adored the idea of Dark Matter. What's so great about it is that the author didn't make it up; it's actual physics! The idea of existing particles that we can't see is just so cool. It means that there is possibly another world, an entire civilization even, among us. Tell me that's not mind blowing. The Dark Matter was the best thing about the book. Period.

The writing style was easy yo understand, and the author did a really good job describin...more First and foremost I'd like to say that I absolutely adored the idea of Dark Matter. What's so great about it is that the author didn't make it up; it's actual physics! The idea of existing particles that we can't see is just so cool. It means that there is possibly another world, an entire civilization even, among us. Tell me that's not mind blowing. The Dark Matter was the best thing about the book. Period.

The writing style was easy yo understand, and the author did a really good job describing and telling us about Darkside and Darklings. Because even though it's science fiction and there's physics involved, it wasn't confusing for me to understand. I absorbed the idea instantly.

Keira is a very very stubborn and proud character, I really liked that about her. But that didn't mean she should be a total bitch to Walker just because he was breaking through her resolve.
"Just because he’d managed to slip through all her hot-guy defenses didn’t make it okay for her to act like a brat." This is a quote from the book. When I read it I was like: Yes! Yes. Exactly!
I know it's a lot to take in that you aren't completely human and all, but she was so snappy and sometimes walked all over Walker. She snaps at him, he tells her it's going to be alright and then she says“I know. It’s not your fault. I’m sorry.” and he's like “You don’t have to apologize.” it happened Tokyo many times.

Walker was O.K. but I didn't like him too much. He was sweet, but too sweet. Plus, I found it hard to believe that he'd risk everything for a girl he had only just met, while she went all super pitch on him.

I wish we got to know more about Smith. He was one of the most interesting characters in the book, and I wanted to know how he dealt with what happened to him.

One of the things that I really wanted to know about was Keira's dad, what happened to him? Did he know?
Also, I wanted to know more about Pike. The plot twist that involved him was really predictable to me. I guessed it straight off.

Anyway, it was a good read- it had a slow beginning and some cliches and unanswered questions-that was interesting and original.

Review on The Booklicker (less)

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Feb 13, 2013 Savannah (Books With Bite) rated it 4 of 5 stars

Another great read, I love diving into plots of the unexpected. You think you know, but you have know idea...

Let me start with the fact that I enjoyed the adventure in the plot, not so much the plot. The plot is what I call average. A girl coming of age and finding out she is not who she thought she is. Her parents are not her parents and of course a guy coming into the picture started it all. Get my drift? I enjoyed the part of Keira discovering who she is. She quickly uncovers her past alongsi...more

1 like · like · see review

Feb 07, 2013 CJ rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: would-reccomend, first-reads-from-goodreads-giveaway

I received "The Gathering Dark" by Christine Johnson through the Goodreads Giveaway contests. The ARC I received featured a plain blue cover with the title and author's name and 498 pages in length, not the final cover with the girl on the front and 512 pages long. "The Gathering Dark" was so good that I want to get the final version just to see what I missed in the extra 14 pages.

The story of Keira, a girl who knows what she wants and wants nothing to get in the way of her reaching her goals, f...more

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Mar 10, 2013 Monica Millard rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: own-paper, 2013-reads

The premise of this book was interesting, but it didn't quite live up to my expectations for a book about dark matter. The characters also didn't draw me in as much as they should have to make me root for them or love the book.

Darkside could have been amazing, but it wasn't as interesting as it should have been. If you're going to build a fantasy world, make it somewhere really cool. Somewhere I want to learn about and spend time in.

I'm glad I finished the book, but there were many points where...more

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Feb 26, 2013 Michelle rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: arc-galley-first-read

I've gone to the Darkside. The fact that Christine Johnson managed to name the alternate reality (secondary reality might be a better term in this case) Darkside without sparking my Star Wars bone earns this book an exta half star. Drop a definite article make it a compound word and make sure you paint a wonderfully descriptive picture of the world and apparently that works.
She is extremely adept at describing the world and characters she has created. Visually, and aurally you get sucked into t...more I've gone to the Darkside. The fact that Christine Johnson managed to name the alternate reality (secondary reality might be a better term in this case) Darkside without sparking my Star Wars bone earns this book an exta half star. Drop a definite article make it a compound word and make sure you paint a wonderfully descriptive picture of the world and apparently that works.
She is extremely adept at describing the world and characters she has created. Visually, and aurally you get sucked into this world, although she does get hung up on the smell of flint and peat moss at one point. I'm not sure what either of those things smell like but they don't sound pleasant.
Despite the fact that neither of the main characters are ones that you fall in love with from the start I still found myself rooting for them. Kiara and Walker as well as their secondary characters have a depth and dimension that is lacking in a lot of YA books. They are not simply devoted to one another, cardboard, romantic, lustful teenagers. They have pasts, they have flaws, they have hopes and fears. That being said Walkers clinginess gets annoying and Kiaras obsession with her piano even in the face of mortal danger can get annoying (view spoiler)
The plot of this book is its redeeming factor, the characters did have dimension but I still wasn't in love with them. The plot managed to erase any of the problems I had with character. You go in assuming its just a typical YA fantasy romance. The twist being a basis in factual science is absolutely wonderful. (view spoiler)
I did have a problem with the pacing of this book. It's a relatively long one yet most of the explanation and climactic events occur in the last 100 pages or so. I was also disappointed with the ending though I'm not sure if this is a knock against the book or praise for it. I thought the ending was a bit truncated and I really wanted more explanation of Darkside. With most of the description and explanation of Darkside coming in the last 100 or so pages it felt like there wasn't enough. I suppose the fact that I wanted more is praise. And I do hope there is more, not necessarily with these characters but in Darkside.
(less)

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Mar 08, 2013 Tara-lee rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2013-reads

The story was cute with all its high school romance, dark matter world, and music worship. Walker and Keira are adorable yet a little pitiful because every time they kiss they get pulled to the Darkside, that sucks. I wasn't too surprised when Pike turned out to be a Darkling and Keira's father, but too bad when they found him he was pretty much insane. Also, poor Sam didn't even get with Susan and to add to that he had to become a Seeker. I'm glad everything worked out okay, still there's the p...more

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Feb 12, 2013 Valen rated it 4 of 5 stars

The Gathering Dark tells the story of dark forces battling the forces of the light.

Kiera was for the most part, a good protag. I did not 'love' her relationship with Walker because even though she constantly said that she did not want a boyfriend and did not need anyone, Walker was still there for her and protecting her and she let him. I didn't care for that bit of her personality, but other then that, she provided me with a character who had a good sense of self. Kiera knew what she wanted in...more

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Feb 16, 2013 Erin Arkin rated it 2 of 5 stars

This one sounded promising to me...about 60 pages in I had an idea that it wasn't going to be a favorite.

The story itself was good - there is a girl who doesn't know that she is half darkling, half human and then the back story of the Experimentals and this other realm...all sounded great. Unfortunately I hated the main character. In order for me to really enjoy a book I have to love them and these just didn't do it for me.

First, Keira was annoying. I get it, you love music and you're "gorgeous...more

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May 13, 2013 Claire rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: ya-stand-alone, this-year

I have mixed feelings about this book. Some parts were really good and others were not so good. I didn't mind Keira but I felt like Ms. Johnson was trying too hard to make sure that her heroine was not weak (which as we all know can sometimes be the case, usually the first thing the reader picks up on and gets bothered with), Keira seemed too stubborn sometimes and granted (view spoiler) but sometimes it felt really forced. The first half of the books...more

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Feb 26, 2013 Lisa rated it 5 of 5 stars

Disclaimer first. I am one of Christine's critmates and I read, possibly four or five drafts of this book before it was ever even an arc. So, I do think it's a testament to its quality that I was able to read it again, for the fifth time and still enjoy it immensely. I note that a lot of people found Keira annoying for her steadfast determination NOT to like Walker, and her dogged attachment to her piano--and I will stand up and defend her. She did not want to end up like her mother, stuck in Sh...more

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Jan 31, 2013 Nancy rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: first-reads

I was a Goodreads First reads winner. What I really liked about this book and was the reason I gave four stars was the connection between the two main characters Keira and Walker. The writing of the chemistry between them was great, it definitely had me reading on. I wasn't completely in love with how what was happening to her was explained (don't want to give anything away) but for me it got good again after that. I overall liked this book. I think young adults will really like it the most.

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Apr 28, 2013 Wetnys rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: books-with-beautiful-covers

Okay, there's a couple of things I liked about this book. (1) The romance with Kiera and Walker was very passionate. (2) The fact that this book was musical. (3) Christine Johnson created a whole new world about Dark matter. I find that very unique. Somehow I couldn't give this book five stars, let alone four stars. It deserves three point five stars from me

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Jul 22, 2012 Beatriz Lins marked it as to-read

Shelves: feb-13

"They have an electric connection [...]"

Please, don't let it be insta-love. Don't let it be insta-love. Don't let it be insta-love.

23 likes · like · see review

May 17, 2013 Julie rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: adventure, danger, mystery, government-life, paranormal, romance, secrets, weird-life, unnatural-abilities

This was really good, but I didn't like how the ending didn't really say much about her Uncle Pike. That was kind of a cliffhanger, and the worst part is - it's not even a series!

Ah well. Pretty good overall.

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Mar 18, 2013 Fern (whirlwindbooks) marked it as to-read

This sounds like a really good read! I cannot wait to read and review it for the site :)

- http://www.whirlwindbooksandreviews.com/

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Apr 11, 2013 Shadin rated it 2 of 5 stars

I was getting such an Edward Cullen/twilight vibe and all the characters were kinda nut jobs.

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Jan 15, 2013 Margaret marked it as to-read

I won the ARC for this book. woo hoo. cant wait to get it in the mail

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Mar 23, 2013 Carla rated it 4 of 5 stars

I really enjoyed this book. It had a dark feel to it, which I like.

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Dec 21, 2011 Zemira Warner marked it as to-read

Shelves: cool, paranormal-romance, sci-fi

This book sounds so cool. I will definitely buy it.

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Apr 15, 2013 Velveteen rated it 5 of 5 stars

I'm surprised I liked it. I read the summary and rolled my eyes, but I'm SO glad I was wrong. Some of the figurative language was just too much (the fleece was butter soft, it was like being inside an egg ((she was at the coast of an ocean)), the oily-smooth voice cracked her focus like an egg smashing against a windowpane) and Keira's character faltered in the last couple chapters. Other then that, this is a book that I would never get tired of reading. The dark matter explanation makes a lot m...more

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Nov 26, 2012 Sandi Jones rated it 4 of 5 stars

A lovely dark, paranormal romance. Review to come in LMC.

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Apr 04, 2013 Courtney rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: witch

Amazing story!!! Couldn't put it down!

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Mar 09, 2012 Aneeqah marked it as not-released-yet

Shelves: urban-fantasy, paranormal

I was hooked at "...gifted pianist...".

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Mar 06, 2013 Jeremy Chenevert marked it as to-read

this sounds awesome :)

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Jan 05, 2013 Hermione marked it as to-read

Shelves: i-will-do-things-to-that-cover, judged-on-the-cover-or-title, not-yet-released

COVERGASM. OVERLOAD.

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About Christine Johnson

There is more than one author with this name

I grew up in, moved away from, and finally came home to Indianapolis, Indiana. While I was in the “away” part of that adventure, I was living in Chicago, Illinois, where I went to DePaul University and met my husband. I majored in Political Science. For the record, Political Science is a totally useless degree. But it’s also totally fascinating and I lov...more

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