Review: Ethereal Fury

Ethereal Fury (Gemini Rising #1) by Jessica O'Gorek

BEWARE! THE PLANET IS WOUNDED... THE GEMINI ARE RISING AND OUR TIME ON EARTH IS LIMITED

Angry at the human race and its methodical destruction of her resources, Mother Earth recruits souls who have just left their bodies to serve Her, and turns them against humanity. 

 Gemini, a clan of paranormal beings, picked from these possessed humans, emerges. A powerful, rising force proceeds to carry out Mother Nature’s plan to systematically destroy towns, cities, states… and eventually, the world. 

Amidst the chaos, a forbidden relationship between a human girl, Violette, and Onyx, a lead Gemini, begins. They will both find themselves in the middle of a revolutionary war that will either save, or destroy our world.

Ethereal Fury (which I still just call Gemini Rising most of the time) was a wonderful read that had me speeding along the pages in a very different adventure from most YA novels. Gemini was such a good idea and I am anxious to learn more about them in the sequel, Gemini in Retrograde.

The characters that went along with the wonderful ideas were also nothing short of spectacular. Gemini such as Onyx and his sister Lilly, were created in just the right way. They were cold but it seemed like they could show affection and maybe even feel guilt.

For a more detailed explanation of Gemini, I should say that they are paranormal beings under the wing of Mother Earth, who is, as stated in the synopsis, angry at our people for polluting and causing the slow destruction of her natural resources. Gemini are meant to destroy the human race, although the twist is that the Gemini were humans first.

Most of Gemini Rising (Ethereal Fury) was spent in the midst of a church. This church has knowledge of the Gemini, although it was very limited. Onyx, a Gemini, decides to try to figure out exactly what and how much the church knows. The church setting is something I found surprisingly intriguing. The ideas of priests, nuns, orphans, confessions, and other churchly things among the gemini spread a layer of suspense and a dreary, nearly desperate background to the story as the church tries to ward of the "demons". At this point may I point out that in the book I was appalled by human actions as well as gemini?

Other important characters in the church include Slate, Violette, Father Darius, and Bishop Phillips. Violette was sweet and had character growth, as did somewhat cautois Slate, although he has a lot to learn. I am not sure what to think of Father Darius but I will say right now I am not a fan of Phillips. And, of course, the romance. I thought the chemistry between Onyx and Violette was quite good. I do hope in the next book we get to hear more real conversations between them. I am not sure what to think of Onyx, as he has done some evil things . (I mean, he is a Gemini. But does that excuse him from everything he has done. Uh-uh, Not even close. If he is to even think of redeeming himself he will have to work mighty hard to please me.) I did like how real and vivid his character seemed though. I really enjoyed the chapters from his view point.

This book is truly unique and the ideas presented were fresh and different. Jessica O'Gorek not only didn't miss the mark, she arrowed her story straight into the center. I would not hesitate to recommend this book to anybody, teen or older, looking for a different, beautiful book in the paranormal/supernatural genre.

Overall this book earned 4 bookcases. I really, really enjoyed Etereal Fury, also known as Gemini Rising. The sequel can not be released fast enough!

4/5 bookcases