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Gathering Water #3
Igniting Spirit
Della Deare spent most of her life unable to rely on anyone but herself. Until she discovered a family she never knew and a destiny she never expected.
Now, her cousin is in danger and Della will do anything she can to save him, even if that means betraying everything she's been taught. She knows the Clades — her enemies — are the only people who can help, but they want something from her first -- Protection.
There's a different evil afoot, larger than anyone had anticipated, and to stop it the Clades and Elfennol need to band together. Della must rely on old enemies, new friends, and the dark power that Ezra has inherited before his father unleashes destruction on our world.
Now, her cousin is in danger and Della will do anything she can to save him, even if that means betraying everything she's been taught. She knows the Clades — her enemies — are the only people who can help, but they want something from her first -- Protection.
There's a different evil afoot, larger than anyone had anticipated, and to stop it the Clades and Elfennol need to band together. Della must rely on old enemies, new friends, and the dark power that Ezra has inherited before his father unleashes destruction on our world.
282 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 13, 2015
107 people are currently reading
149 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 66 reviews
February 26, 2023
I have enjoyed this three book series by Regan Claire, but I felt the writing and plot faded as the story progressed. The final book here was a satisfactory conclusion, but a bit overwrought for me. Disappointing after such a great start. 3.5
January 20, 2016
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This is the third book in the Gathering Water series. It’s a YA paranormal age appropriate for 18+ due to violence. I was given the great honor of beta reading this book. I’m a huge fan of Regan Claire. She has a way of writing serious but with a degree of levity that makes tempers it a bit. Almost like sarcasm but not in a disingenuous way. Her characters are witty and they are fast acting; they don’t lay about talking things to death which I really like because sometimes that can get boring. And she has a way of weaving in a level of development without using a lot of words. I get surprised when I am reading because I am like, “Holy crap” She just made me realized something without me even knowing that it needed to be realized because it was worded so elegantly. The level of violence in this book as opposed to the previous two books is much higher since everything comes to a conlcusion, kinda.
Her dialogue is excellent in my opinion. She has great movie references. Everything is jam packed in a short period. It’s a fast paced book but not so much that my emotions get overwhelmed. There are a lot of turning points in the book.
I just wanna through out there that I loved Alexander the most. His actions or rather the reactions other have to him played a loud part in this book for me if that makes any sense.
Favorite Quotes:
You can lie to yourself in near death situations. I know people always say it’s a time for honesty and reckoning, but those people can suck it.
I could feel the pulse of the earth, and the fathomless ocean bending to none but the will of gods. I felt clouds dance upon my skin, and the sun's rays warm my soul.
Holy shit, I exploded!
That couldn’t be right. I didn’t feel exploded. I looked down at my hands to see if I looked like someone who just exploded, then realized with a start that I was buck naked.
Awesome.
This is the third book in the Gathering Water series. It’s a YA paranormal age appropriate for 18+ due to violence. I was given the great honor of beta reading this book. I’m a huge fan of Regan Claire. She has a way of writing serious but with a degree of levity that makes tempers it a bit. Almost like sarcasm but not in a disingenuous way. Her characters are witty and they are fast acting; they don’t lay about talking things to death which I really like because sometimes that can get boring. And she has a way of weaving in a level of development without using a lot of words. I get surprised when I am reading because I am like, “Holy crap” She just made me realized something without me even knowing that it needed to be realized because it was worded so elegantly. The level of violence in this book as opposed to the previous two books is much higher since everything comes to a conlcusion, kinda.
Her dialogue is excellent in my opinion. She has great movie references. Everything is jam packed in a short period. It’s a fast paced book but not so much that my emotions get overwhelmed. There are a lot of turning points in the book.
I just wanna through out there that I loved Alexander the most. His actions or rather the reactions other have to him played a loud part in this book for me if that makes any sense.
Favorite Quotes:
You can lie to yourself in near death situations. I know people always say it’s a time for honesty and reckoning, but those people can suck it.
I could feel the pulse of the earth, and the fathomless ocean bending to none but the will of gods. I felt clouds dance upon my skin, and the sun's rays warm my soul.
Holy shit, I exploded!
That couldn’t be right. I didn’t feel exploded. I looked down at my hands to see if I looked like someone who just exploded, then realized with a start that I was buck naked.
Awesome.
August 6, 2019
If I could I’d give this series 10 stars..........please PLEASE tell me that this isn’t the last book. The ending suggests that another book could be on its way(hint hint😉😉)?
September 20, 2016
Mixed feelings
I loved these books but I hated the cliffhanger ending! I have always considered cliffhanger ending s to be a refuge of poor writers. I surely do hope gaps will be filled by future writings!
I loved these books but I hated the cliffhanger ending! I have always considered cliffhanger ending s to be a refuge of poor writers. I surely do hope gaps will be filled by future writings!
October 19, 2015
4.5 -- a thrilling beta reading experience!! At one point I was even IN the story....and I'm not going to expand so it sounds even more thrilling than it was.
Wow. A perfect wrap up to this series, this book was full of everything you loved from the first two books and more -- amazing action scenes, hilarious snark, and beautiful imagery. Not to mention the adorable love story that was sometimes more of a background piece to everything else going on...subtle, yet always there.
Della is everything I want in a kick ass heroine. She's awkward, snarky, somewhat damaged but with so much potential lurking in her depths (if that makes any sense). She goes through so much is this series, and you can really see her growing and coming into the person she's meant to be. Especially in this final book. And everything about it feels so natural and realistic...like you can see how the events of her life have shaped her.
Even her relationship with Ezra is natural. They start as friends in TE, and grow into so much more throughout this book. The romance is subtle in some ways, but I can appreciate that. It's like their relationship is based on more than just romance -- there's all the "magical" stuff that brings them together too, and becomes a driving part of the story.
As I've said before, Ms. Claire writes action scenes like no other. The world she creates is complex and imaginative, and I really felt like I could imagine myself there (though I didn't always want to). She also writes gut wrenching scenes like no other, causing some snotty crying.
Now it's just a matter of how I'm going to survive until Ms. Claire gives us some more...whether it's in this world, or another!!
Wow. A perfect wrap up to this series, this book was full of everything you loved from the first two books and more -- amazing action scenes, hilarious snark, and beautiful imagery. Not to mention the adorable love story that was sometimes more of a background piece to everything else going on...subtle, yet always there.
Della is everything I want in a kick ass heroine. She's awkward, snarky, somewhat damaged but with so much potential lurking in her depths (if that makes any sense). She goes through so much is this series, and you can really see her growing and coming into the person she's meant to be. Especially in this final book. And everything about it feels so natural and realistic...like you can see how the events of her life have shaped her.
Even her relationship with Ezra is natural. They start as friends in TE, and grow into so much more throughout this book. The romance is subtle in some ways, but I can appreciate that. It's like their relationship is based on more than just romance -- there's all the "magical" stuff that brings them together too, and becomes a driving part of the story.
As I've said before, Ms. Claire writes action scenes like no other. The world she creates is complex and imaginative, and I really felt like I could imagine myself there (though I didn't always want to). She also writes gut wrenching scenes like no other, causing some snotty crying.
Now it's just a matter of how I'm going to survive until Ms. Claire gives us some more...whether it's in this world, or another!!
December 12, 2020
TLDR: Good series, disappointing ending.
Spoiler alert potential. I’ll try to be vague.
So the series is overall well written. It’s engaging, great character development, plot lines are well done...
Until the end.
Then all of a sudden there is a massive plot hole and the ending isn’t fully resolved. Sure, the author ties up the bow of the main character’s life story arch... but what about the whole bad guy thing that had dragged on through 2 books and the major catastrophe at the end of the book that never gets resolved fully.
The author left room for a 4th and dare I say full second trilogy with unresolved issues and could have furthered the plot development as Cash & Della further come of age... yet there is no additional book or books on the horizon. Especially since there are 6 total elements and 3 more that could have made book titles... Reading Fire? Bending Spirit? Destroying Death?
I am sad and I’m just saying.
Honestly the lack of a solid ending brings down the series. It’s disappointing after having invested so much emotional energy into the characters and plot only to be left hanging in several different key plot points and conflicts. Major conflict unresolved, a former ally seemingly disappeared after a “You will be sorry for this!” threat...
Ugh.
The ending knocks this down from a 5 to a 3 and brings a potentially 5-star series down to a 4 overall.
I’m done ranting now.
Spoiler alert potential. I’ll try to be vague.
So the series is overall well written. It’s engaging, great character development, plot lines are well done...
Until the end.
Then all of a sudden there is a massive plot hole and the ending isn’t fully resolved. Sure, the author ties up the bow of the main character’s life story arch... but what about the whole bad guy thing that had dragged on through 2 books and the major catastrophe at the end of the book that never gets resolved fully.
The author left room for a 4th and dare I say full second trilogy with unresolved issues and could have furthered the plot development as Cash & Della further come of age... yet there is no additional book or books on the horizon. Especially since there are 6 total elements and 3 more that could have made book titles... Reading Fire? Bending Spirit? Destroying Death?
I am sad and I’m just saying.
Honestly the lack of a solid ending brings down the series. It’s disappointing after having invested so much emotional energy into the characters and plot only to be left hanging in several different key plot points and conflicts. Major conflict unresolved, a former ally seemingly disappeared after a “You will be sorry for this!” threat...
Ugh.
The ending knocks this down from a 5 to a 3 and brings a potentially 5-star series down to a 4 overall.
I’m done ranting now.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 14, 2020
I’ve read this series in two days. Yes two. Would have been only one but I do actually have kids that sometimes need attended to. Any-who, I loved this series hands down one of the best I’ve read. So why did I not give it 5 stars? The answer is the ending, or lack there of. The series didn’t end. It stopped. Not really in cliffhanger form, but more like there was supposed to be a 4th book but the author never got around to it. Which is why I am giving this three stars. I have not been able to find any mention of a 4th book, other than the author commenting to one of her fans that she does plan on eventually writing a 4th one. However planning and actually doing are two different things and I fear that as more time passed the chances of this actually happening are slim. I hope she surprises us and continues with the series because there is so much more that can happen and be told. This has a lot of potential and can very well be the next big series. But until it’s known for sure if this series will be completely, I’d warn you to not get too invested because the ending of the third book, while a fantastic ending, is t really and ending to the series, and if no other book follows it will just leave readers feeling empty, with so many questions.
November 12, 2019
What a cliff hanger!
Della is a strong young woman with the weight of two worlds on her shoulders.
Why Regan do you have to do us like that. What comes next!!?? Must know now!
Amazing world building, character building and story telling. I love this so much. I can envision everything so vividly. The family Della gets and the life she starts to lead are a dream come true for her.... only really not a dream she ever allowed herself to have.
Cash continues to be one of my favorites. More stories from the journals continue to be revealed.
I love this series and these characters.
Beautiful narration by Jennifer Swanepoel
I was voluntarily provided this review copy at no charge by the author, publisher and or narrator.
Della is a strong young woman with the weight of two worlds on her shoulders.
Why Regan do you have to do us like that. What comes next!!?? Must know now!
Amazing world building, character building and story telling. I love this so much. I can envision everything so vividly. The family Della gets and the life she starts to lead are a dream come true for her.... only really not a dream she ever allowed herself to have.
Cash continues to be one of my favorites. More stories from the journals continue to be revealed.
I love this series and these characters.
Beautiful narration by Jennifer Swanepoel
I was voluntarily provided this review copy at no charge by the author, publisher and or narrator.
January 3, 2020
Good but ended on a cliffhanger!! -_-
This trilogy was really good but I was super upset when it ended on a cliffhanger! (hence only 3 stars). If it weren’t for the fact it was labelled a trilogy I would have expected another book!
While I ‘got’ the ending and the author obviously meant to leave you hanging, I’m just not used to a series being quite so unresolved at the end so it was rather unsatisfying to me and left me wondering why there wasn’t another book (or another interconnected series about what happens next - so much could be done with this and all the other loose ends!)
But I really enjoyed the story and the growth of the main character. If the author does decide to continue the story in any way I will definitely read it.
This trilogy was really good but I was super upset when it ended on a cliffhanger! (hence only 3 stars). If it weren’t for the fact it was labelled a trilogy I would have expected another book!
While I ‘got’ the ending and the author obviously meant to leave you hanging, I’m just not used to a series being quite so unresolved at the end so it was rather unsatisfying to me and left me wondering why there wasn’t another book (or another interconnected series about what happens next - so much could be done with this and all the other loose ends!)
But I really enjoyed the story and the growth of the main character. If the author does decide to continue the story in any way I will definitely read it.
September 8, 2019
Last book in this YA trilogy. The great war between the Elfwennol folk comes, with Della emerging as an important and necessary leader after major characters die in the various struggles. Can she stop massive destruction and the death of the planet in the face of a terrible Evil, even while building bridges of understanding between groups hostile to each other for centuries? And will the boyfriend situation be resolved?
This one really started irritating me with typos and errors that editing should catch. Someone needs to teach the writer and all her editors the basic grammar rules of when to use I and when to use me. Smh!
This one really started irritating me with typos and errors that editing should catch. Someone needs to teach the writer and all her editors the basic grammar rules of when to use I and when to use me. Smh!
October 13, 2015
I was so ready for this book to be released - seeing that sometimes a writer's muse can be a pain, I had to be patient. The great news is that Igniting Spirit was well worth the wait. Regan Claire did not disappoint! She provides the reader with the action they crave, provides the perfectly detailed setting and immerses the reader into the story, and delivers the snark that only Della could display! Della really is the perfect heroine and I loved being able to see her grow. The only negative thing I can say is that I absolutely hate that this is the end of this trilogy.
August 19, 2019
I liked the first two books a lot, here is my issue with the end of this trilogy. It is not over. It sets up for another "adventure" Don't call it the end if it is not. The other issue is that I wanted more of chase. He is all in book one and some in book two. I grew to love him and I wanted more.
October 14, 2019
I enjoyed the book, but please, get a good copy editor! The mistakes are very distracting.
September 6, 2017
4.5 for the entire series!
So I won the first 2 books in a Facebook contest on the Rebel Writers group page awhile *cough* 2 years *cough* ago and I'm glad I waited to read them, this series was just what I needed to get me out of a reading slump! I was warned that I may find it started off slow and that I should give it a chance but I had no problems getting right in there (after getting farther in I understood what my friend meant by that though!). Not too long after we meet Della the ball of crazy that will be her life really gets rolling! Speaking of Della, holy crap is she awesome! I really loved how strong but not obnoxious she was. She had a really rough go with life but she never wanted people to feel sorry for her and she never whined about it, however she also wasn't damaged to the point where she would NEVER let anyone in or hated the world and everyone in it. I really appreciated how real Della felt to me because of that. I'd also like to take a moment to shout out to my boy, Cash, what a hoot that guy is!! I actually became so attached to him that I actually cried when that thing happened....
Overall what I think impressed me most was the creativity of Ms.Claire. The Elfennol, The Clades, Bending, Tempering, Gathering, all pretty new and fresh ideas to me and if I ever needed help following along with any of that I had Della's handy cheat sheet in the back of the book. I also loved the journal entries at the beginning of each chapter!!! It was so neat to get the back story that way and it never took away from Della's tale, they were perfectly placed pieces to the puzzle.
Thank you for this really wonderful trilogy, Della and Cash were an absolute joy to read <3
So I won the first 2 books in a Facebook contest on the Rebel Writers group page awhile *cough* 2 years *cough* ago and I'm glad I waited to read them, this series was just what I needed to get me out of a reading slump! I was warned that I may find it started off slow and that I should give it a chance but I had no problems getting right in there (after getting farther in I understood what my friend meant by that though!). Not too long after we meet Della the ball of crazy that will be her life really gets rolling! Speaking of Della, holy crap is she awesome! I really loved how strong but not obnoxious she was. She had a really rough go with life but she never wanted people to feel sorry for her and she never whined about it, however she also wasn't damaged to the point where she would NEVER let anyone in or hated the world and everyone in it. I really appreciated how real Della felt to me because of that. I'd also like to take a moment to shout out to my boy, Cash, what a hoot that guy is!! I actually became so attached to him that I actually cried when that thing happened....
Overall what I think impressed me most was the creativity of Ms.Claire. The Elfennol, The Clades, Bending, Tempering, Gathering, all pretty new and fresh ideas to me and if I ever needed help following along with any of that I had Della's handy cheat sheet in the back of the book. I also loved the journal entries at the beginning of each chapter!!! It was so neat to get the back story that way and it never took away from Della's tale, they were perfectly placed pieces to the puzzle.
Thank you for this really wonderful trilogy, Della and Cash were an absolute joy to read <3
July 29, 2019
I love the growth these characters had over the course of the three books, and I really enjoyed the dry humor woven into the story. Della showed amazing strength of character and went from an insecure, unloved girl to a confident, loved, powerful woman and leader. And Ezra!! I would have liked to see a little more of their relationship! The series was creative and well written (except for a few editing errors- did not detract from the story, but I did notice them). But the ending.... where is book 4??!!! I need to know what happens to them! And Cash, and Dove and Alex? And the whole Richard storyline is unfinished. There needs to be a 4th book to wrap things up.
March 30, 2017
I just finished the 3rd and final book in the series - I stumbled onto this series completely by accident, and I had no idea what to expect. I immediately became totally immersed in to the story and the characters, I was sucked in by chapter 2 of the first book. The writing isn't "award winning", but the characters are well-developed and the level of suspense keeps you up late, waiting to see what happens. I would definitely recommend this series as a great escape from everyday life, I was sad when the story ended!
July 29, 2019
Gathering water
This is the third and last book in the Gathering Water series. about a girl who finds out she has super powers. This last book concentrates on her bringing together two warring groups in a common goal against “the bad guy”. Although I never read fantasy novels I enjoyed the first one and had to read the second and likewise the third to see what happens. The way this one ended there could be a fourth but I think I will go back to my usual genres.
This is the third and last book in the Gathering Water series. about a girl who finds out she has super powers. This last book concentrates on her bringing together two warring groups in a common goal against “the bad guy”. Although I never read fantasy novels I enjoyed the first one and had to read the second and likewise the third to see what happens. The way this one ended there could be a fourth but I think I will go back to my usual genres.
May 22, 2021
High Praise for Regan Claire
I used to be an avid reader. But it has been many years since I have read 3 books within 3 days! Earlier this week I claimed you to be at par with Cassandra Clare. After finishing the trilogy I will still support that statement. I'm not sure what your intention was for this ending but like every good story it gives us both closure and a yearning for more. I did not find this book to be predictable except in the way every good story is predictable - no one gets out completely unscathed. There are losses and lessons. I did see the familiar cast and crew but you refrained from falling into temptation of where most minds would expect the story to lead. There were details left out - but in a good way. There were bigger things happening than the potential sex life of two who were already so much more intimate in another way. I am happy that you refrained from writing that especially when you clearly have the ability to hand told it well. To me, this triology, much like it's protagonist was a beautiful dance of detail and restraint .
I loved it. Truly. Thank you for gifting the world with this story! I will be checking out some of your others!
I used to be an avid reader. But it has been many years since I have read 3 books within 3 days! Earlier this week I claimed you to be at par with Cassandra Clare. After finishing the trilogy I will still support that statement. I'm not sure what your intention was for this ending but like every good story it gives us both closure and a yearning for more. I did not find this book to be predictable except in the way every good story is predictable - no one gets out completely unscathed. There are losses and lessons. I did see the familiar cast and crew but you refrained from falling into temptation of where most minds would expect the story to lead. There were details left out - but in a good way. There were bigger things happening than the potential sex life of two who were already so much more intimate in another way. I am happy that you refrained from writing that especially when you clearly have the ability to hand told it well. To me, this triology, much like it's protagonist was a beautiful dance of detail and restraint .
I loved it. Truly. Thank you for gifting the world with this story! I will be checking out some of your others!
July 27, 2019
Exciting Trilogy that's hard to put down - and that's true of all 3 books!
I like the way the Journal written by her mother, and other Duxa Deares before her, really completed the storyline beautifully.
A story of generations of strong women, each with their own strengths and adversaries to overcome.
I like the way the Journal written by her mother, and other Duxa Deares before her, really completed the storyline beautifully.
A story of generations of strong women, each with their own strengths and adversaries to overcome.
December 17, 2017
Igniting Spirit.
I never saw that ending coming. Excellent book. Excellent series.
A few minor typos in each volume but the depth and breadth of the story made them easily overlooked.
Honor. Love. Remembrance.
I never saw that ending coming. Excellent book. Excellent series.
A few minor typos in each volume but the depth and breadth of the story made them easily overlooked.
Honor. Love. Remembrance.
April 21, 2025
Quick read. Really enjoyed the first two of this series! Read both in two days and this one took a day. I give this 4 Star only because I felt the ending was rushed. A bit anticlimactic after the two prior book build up to this. Otherwise enjoyed the whole series.
August 20, 2018
Pretty good
I enjoyed this book as much as the other two. My only issue is that the ending STILL felt like a cliffhanger- but with no sequel in sight.
I enjoyed this book as much as the other two. My only issue is that the ending STILL felt like a cliffhanger- but with no sequel in sight.
August 14, 2019
Imaginative
I loved this series from the beginning to the end.I truly hope there is another book to continue this amazing saga
I loved this series from the beginning to the end.I truly hope there is another book to continue this amazing saga
June 6, 2020
Excellent conclusion to the trilogy.
Found the series ran parallel with the world of racism today. Bringing light to the fact that different peoples can work together.
Found the series ran parallel with the world of racism today. Bringing light to the fact that different peoples can work together.
May 14, 2018
Good for another followup
Nice ending to this trilogy, or will there be a fourth? This whole series has been good and a lot of twists
Nice ending to this trilogy, or will there be a fourth? This whole series has been good and a lot of twists
July 5, 2018
What an awesome series!
I love this series! I read all three books of it in three days. I anxiously await the continuation to the story! I recommended the series to my teenage daughter and she is now reading it also.
I love this series! I read all three books of it in three days. I anxiously await the continuation to the story! I recommended the series to my teenage daughter and she is now reading it also.
August 12, 2019
Great series
I'm sorry this is over but happy to have read it! All the characters were so real I feel like I am leaving them behind.
I'm sorry this is over but happy to have read it! All the characters were so real I feel like I am leaving them behind.
August 7, 2019
The Gathering Water series was exceptional. The story was intriguing and the characters were interesting and fun and sad and exciting. There were elements, such as “Gathering,” which were different than anything I’ve read before, so I could imaging anything I wanted, and that was fun. The author, Regan Claire, described places and items in the story so I could imagine them clearly. I hope the author hires a better editor in future books, but the errors didn’t detract from the books. I thoroughly enjoyed reading the 3-book series, and highly recommend reading these delightful books.
April 28, 2018
Enjoyed
The only disappointing thing is that there needs to be more to their story. Ezra and Della are just starting a new adventure, and I feel I need to follow it. Please tell me there is another book.
The only disappointing thing is that there needs to be more to their story. Ezra and Della are just starting a new adventure, and I feel I need to follow it. Please tell me there is another book.
September 12, 2019
I absolutely love this series. Della and Ezra... hmmm. She will do anything to save those she loves. So many surprises in this one, happy moments and sad moments. This takes you on an emotional roller coaster and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Great job.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 66 reviews