The Unfailing Light (Katerina #2) by Robin Bridges

Having had no choice but to use her power has a necromancer to save Russia from dark forces, Katerina Alexandrovna, Duchess of Oldenburg, now wants to forget that she ever used her special powers. She's about to set off to pursue her lifelong dream of attending medical school when she discovers that Russia's arch nemesis--who she thought she'd destroyed--is still alive. So on imperial orders, Katerina remains at her old finishing school. She'll be safe there, because the empress has cast a potent spell to protect it against the vampires and revenants who are bent on toppling the tsar and using Katerina for their own gains. But to Katerina's horror, the spell unleashes a vengeful ghost within the school, a ghost more dangerous than any creature trying to get in.

As the second book in the Katerina trilogy, I'd been waiting a long time for this one to release. I enjoyed this book, but I have to say it was a bit disappointing. The first one had finished off so strong and I was dying to read the Unfailing Light, but it just didn't quite make the cut.

Katerina was still great character in The Unfailing Light- she has very clear goals and still does her best to do what's right AND what's best for her. However, George Alexandrovnich did let me down this time :( And I really did like him in the first book, too! He was just a bit of a jerk this time around. The non-insta love that was starting between Katerina and George in the last book did not seem to flow through into this book, since George was being dumb. He completely disregarded what Katerina wanted and underestimated her abilities again and again and again. I also didn't think that Katerina was as frustrated with him as she could have been. Personally, I would have seriously considered giving him a good kick to the shins at times.

Characters aside, there were other parts of this book that I wasn't entirely keen on. The pacing was much slower than the first book, which had me not as excited to keep reading. A faster paced action packed story was exactly what the Unfailing Light needed to keep the ball rolling after The Gathering Storm, but it just didn't really happen. Also, the setting was the same in this one as it was in the first book, despite there being hope of something new.

A part of the book that I did like, however, was the ghost that was mentioned in the synopsis. The setting as a whole is still as enjoyable as ever. Russia in the late 1800's with paranomal-ness? Yes. Still good.

So even though this book was a bit of a let down (it seems to be a trend with the middle book in trilogies, or is that just me?) I am eagerly looking forward to the next one, The Morning Star, which came out August 27th. It's on my list to read!

The Good: The world, as always, and Katerina
The Bad: George, pacing, anti-climatic after the first book
The Verdict: 3.5/5
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Rachel