A Gathering Storm

A Gathering Storm (2017) Joanna Chambers (Porthkennack)

Set in England (Cornwall) in 1853.

Edward Fitzwilliam has spent the past year destroying his reputation as a scientists, in an attempt to reach and speak to his dead twin brother. He believes that Porthkennack is the perfect spot to recreate the conditions where he saw and heard the ghost of his brother. But (unsurprisingly) none of the locals trust him enough to be his test subjects.

Nicholas Hearn is the bastard son of the Roscarrock family, and current steward for his grandfather. His bastard birth, and mother’s Romany heritage have made him feel he was never quite a part of the community, no matter how hard he works for fit in.

But Ward thinks Nick is just the subject he needs for his experiments.

It was an interesting story, and I always love a good scientist. But this book didn’t work for me on several levels.

First, Ward (essentially) blackmails Nick to being his study subject. Which (rightfully so) Nick is upset about. Until suddenly he is no longer upset and we don’t see how and why this happens, aside from their initially first session.

I don’t believe that Nick would forgive Ward that easily. Complete ruin seems like something not particularly easy to forgive.

I also never quite believed the blowup between Ward and Nick at the seance. Nick has good reason to be upset with Ward.

Oh, but it was this just sort of arrogance from the very wealthy that most riled Nick, this total lack of consideration for consequences. After all, why worry about consequences when you would face none? With his wealth and title, Ward simply didn’t have to be as careful.

But Ward’s words–more than his actions–at the seance didn’t seem to match his previous way of speaking. He was oblivious and arrogant–he wasn’t cruel, which that exchange seemed to be.

To be honest, I thought they both behaved terribly and both should have handled things differently. Yes, Ward deeply wanted to believe he could once more contact his twin. But he truly was failing to apply any scientific principals at all. The whole thing was a mess and just aggravating on all parts.

Then there was the final bit that resolved everything.

I… don’t believe in death bed changes of heart. I just don’t.

So although I liked the idea of a scientist looking into the spiritual, I was mainly left feeling let down with this story.

Publisher: Riptide Publishing
Rating: 7/10

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