A Gathering of Wings

Centauriad #2

by Kate Klimo

In A Gathering of Wings, Malora leaves the safety of Mount Kheiron for the bush and the bustling city of the Ka in search of Sky, the stallion who used to lead Malora's herd of horses. Accompanied by her closest friends, Malora is faced with making decisions about her future in new ways.

Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult, Mythology, Young Adult Fantasy, Dystopia, Paranormal

384 pages, Library Binding

First published January 1, 2013

About the author

Kate Klimo spent her early years amidst the cornfields of Iowa where the winters were prodigious. Often, when the snows flash-thawed in the spring, she would find her backyard filled with the flapping, resurrected bodies of fish her ice-fishing father had stored in the snowdrifts. Thus sprang into her young head the unshakable notion that, all winter long, fish escaped from the rivers and magically swum through the snow banks of Mount Vernon, Iowa.

When she moved to the little town of Sea Cliff, on Long Island Sound, she met her best friend Justine in the Stenson Memorial Library at the main desk, where they often checked out the same fantasy writers. Together, they read C.S. Lewis, E. Nesbit, Edward Eager, and George MacDonald and embarked on a tireless search for portals to magical worlds, extending from abandoned Victorian mansions to the decrepit local five-and-dime to the sandy cliffs sweeping down to the Sound.

With her propensity for magical thinking and long-standing love of fantasy, does it come as any surprise that Kate grew up to be in the book business? But after over 25 years of heading up Random House Children’s Books, with the publication of The Dragon in the Sock Drawer in March 2008, Kate began to ease over to the author’s side of the desk.

Now a full-time author, in addition to numerous one-off titles, she has written the middle-grade series The Dragon Keepers series and the Dog Diaries as well the Centauriad for young adults. Under the pen name Bonnie Worth, she has penned over a dozen books in the best-selling Cat in the Hat Learning Library. She lives in New Paltz, New York with her husband and two horses.

Reviews

[Cayleigh · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the second book in the series that started with Daughter of the Centaurs, and I enjoyed it a lot more than the first book. Mostly because I had gotten over the hangups (See review of the first novel) and decided to just enjoy the ride. This book has more danger and action to it than the second half of the first novel. We get more Lume (yay!) but I had to take some points away because whilst Lume is in this book we are tantalized and teased with his presence though I suspect he will, finally, be a major character in the 3rd installment. I was happy to see that this book was all about getting Malora’s stallion Sky back, as I felt sad when she lost him in the first novel. This one felt a little more true to life with the nitty gritty in the city. Having trouble writing this review, I feel like I want to critique it for not being deep enough/ for coming to such a sweet quick ending, but realize I need to get it into my head that this is YA and won’t be as in-depth as adult books. So long story short , this book was Enjoyed and I was sad when I realized a few minutes ago that the third book is not yet released. Ha ha, that has to be a sign of a good read, look forward to the fight with the Leatherwings and more details about this unique world.

[Aiyana · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was very pleased with the second book of the Centauriad series. At first, I was disappointed because I assumed there were only going to be two books in the series, but many other readers seem to think that there will be more so I remain hopeful. I really like Lume, and am happy that he finally made an appearance that wasn't just in Malora's dreams. I am also anxious to see if Aron's prediction was right, and she will have twins. I hope so. I don't like that Zephele is mean to other kinds that she has never seen before, but I understand that this is just how she is. I am so excited for third one to come out.

[Cece · Rating 2 out of 5]

Better than I expected in some ways, and not so good in others. I feel slightly cheated by the ending, but overall it was a good book for young readers that was worth reading. A solid 2.5 stars.

[El J · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a spectacular second installment! It brings you right back into the world you left, complete with Malora, her horses, and her centaur friends.
When Malora realizes that her beloved Sky is in danger, she does not hesitate to set out to find him. Along the way, she makes new friends and gains new knowledge of her world.
Definitely a worthwhile read for anyone who enjoyed the first book!

[Amy Jenkins · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great little series. Hoping maybe there might be a third book in the works?

[Charlotte · Rating 5 out of 5]

I seen this book on a display of new arrivals at my local library and snatched it up only to realize that it's the second book so after reading the first one, I was eager to dive into this one even more.

The whole concept of various myths made real is a genre that I love to read. And this world is no exception. What really intrigues me is that Klimo went as far as bringing in other myths as well, not just the ones about half humans. I found it quirky and humorous that she brought in some of the bestial myths along side the 'hibes' which is also a fun way to refer to hybrids. I also laughed at references from 'our time' such as Jane Eyre and even Stephenie Meyer!

The setup of different cultures is very well built in this world of Klimo which adds so much to the book. The characters are well thought out and have a believable realm in which they live. It's like booking a trip to some place overseas. I had the inclination to look up some of the hybrids referred to because I was not very familiar of them. What a great motivator to look up bits from past (and present) cultural icons.

Even with a heaviness on horses the novel is very enjoyable. I adore Malora and Orion and Neal. Zephelene gets on my nerves but hey, it's rare to adore and like all characters in a book equally. I'm especially excited to learn more about Lume; there's not enough of him in this book at least. And only a hint of reference to him in the first book.

Not a read for everyone. If you're interested in sci-fi or fantasy or bonus, even both, I highly suggest picking this one and the first one up. For now, I'm going to be frothing a the bit (forgive the horse reference) for the next book!

[Carolina Colleene · Rating 2 out of 5]

Language - G, Sexual Content - PG; Violence - PG
Malora Victorious finally has a home, a family, and a Hand, but someone is still missing: Sky. Malora has to rescue him or die trying for that horse is her heart. But one the obstacles start lining up, it gets harder and harder for Malora to keep everyone she loves. Can Malora remain "Victorious" as she takes on new impossible quests?
This sequel was very disappointing after how much I enjoyed reading the first one. Daughter of the Centaurs had an overall goal that took the whole book to resolve, but A Gathering of Wings starts and wraps up two goals separately. This made the book feel less substantial and didn't challenge Malora to grow as she had to in the first book. The solutions came too easily, especially in the end where it seemed like Malora stayed in the background of her own story. All this made for a less exciting story, but romantics will be pleased with the ending.
Reviewed for https://kissthebook.blogspot.com/

[Amber · Rating 3 out of 5]

Honestly I was very disappointed by this book. The first one held so much promise, but this one fell flat. I forgot that she wrote in present tense. It really detracts from the story because it is so unfamiliar to me. My mind can't quite get into the story because its trying to adjust to present tense. As far as content goes, she had the right idea but it just felt like it was missing something. Three stars because the content was good, and it really was a decent story, but not good enough for five stars.

[Natalia Kuprewicz · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked this book a lot because I just couldn't put it down. Malora has a dream one night that her father's horse is in danger. Malora ends up going and looking for the horse with her friends and she ends up meeting a guy who has been her "guardian angel" because he always saved her from bad creatures killing her. Overall, I thought this was really great because there was a lot of action in it. There were a few confusing parts in this book, but I would recommend it to people who like science fiction and action books.

[Lili · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a pretty good sequel to the first book. The plot was entertaining and the characters decent but I wish more had happened because this felt like a book for the sake of a book. The character that developed the most throughout the story was Zephele but she wasn't one the characters that I was interested in. Overall this was just a decent read and I would recommend the series if you like adventure, fantasy, and a smart independent heroine lead.

[Chin-Ning Chong · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book has a brilliant setting and characters - I love their manner of speech. How refined they sound! The entire story is unique and fascinating, with strong characters that are not despicable in any way. Normally I wouldn't like a book that describes its characters so distantly, but this one makes the characters so likable. None of them seem very big on dwelling on their emotions, and that's a welcome relief in a story.

[Shannon · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've loved both books in this series. I want to say there are more than just two because I've never seen a series with only 2 books since it is not really a series then. It is also no help when the author's website is not current. I guess we will just have to wait and see if there is another book printed.

[Dani · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, random book, but I really enjoyed it.
The first book makes a hell of a lot more sense when you've read this one, the world definitely makes more sense. xD
There was a lot more going on in this one, plus Lume. He was a definite bonus..
If there's to be a third book, I want more Lume. :P

[Kim Heimbuch]

Update 4/14/13- Review coming soon as I have to wait for it appear at it's original review site listing.

[Alex · Rating 5 out of 5]

This sequel was full to the rim with adventure! Malora is so brave! This book was the perfect, but the end seemed a bit rushed and confusing. I think the author could have made another book after it.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Both incredibly unique and thematically familiar, this series is a surprise at every turn.

[Melody Hamort · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

So truly I enjoyed the book there was suspense thought the book. It was well written with action and romance. It's a great book for 5th graders through 8th graders

[Synnie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was... odd. Very odd. Aspects of it I liked but the whole thing with the Wonder was just weird and really really really creepy once you think about it.

[Leah Cole · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great YA series. I shared it with some teen friends and they absolutely loved it. We would love a third in the series. Hint, hint.