Book Review: Gemini Rising: Ethereal Fury by Jessica O'Gorek { Gemini Rising Book 1}

Title: Ethereal Fury
Author: Jessica O'Gorek
Series: Gemini Rising
Pubisher: Cogent Publishing
Date of Publication: April 13, 2013
Source: received from author for my honest opinion of it
Genre: paranormal, romance, science fiction, YA

Goodreads Synopsis:

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.

My Thoughts:

Looking at the cover, I wasn't too sure if I would like Gemini Rising or not.  The cover didn't really incite any strong feelings for me and the blurb made me think it was really too science fiction for me.  
But I have been trying to get out of my comfort zone and try new and different stories that I normally would have skimmed over.  
I am glad I did pick this one up.  

There is so much going on in this book than what the blurb explains, what the cover reveals, and what I even considered it to be about.  Yes it does have a little science fiction y aspects to it but nothing that made me want to jump and scream.  Actually, it made me look at other scifi stories in a different light now.   

Then there is the romance factor.  It does play a huge part in the story but it is told in a way that makes it seem so innocent and yet alluring at the same time. Violette is like a siren and yet so demure that she has no idea she is this gorgeous human being.  The only thing I had a slight problem with was how the male characters: Slate and Onyx, kept switching "woman" and "child" interchangeable together while trying to explain Violette.  I guess at the age she was becoming, she could be considered a "woman-child" but it was just uncomfortable when they were lusting after her and then compare her to a child.  
Other than that, I really liked how the romance progressed through the story.  Slate is an okay guy but Onyx is the more interesting one.  Slate just seemed so stale to me.  But I usually go for the underdog anyways.  
The plot is a really original and creative one.  We hardly ever see Mother Nature personified in a pissed off tone before.  Usually, she is the all knowing all understanding one that will always forgive us.  
Not so with Gemini Rising.  She has had enough and sends out her force of Gemini to stop the chaos.  And how ironic how she picks out her "killers" to fulfill her demands.  Very creative twist!  
I also enjoyed the religious questions that are raised in the story, Gemini Rising.  If the bishop and other lesser priests are supposed to be doing God's work, then why do they have the right to act the way they do.  That could be considered a little controversial but I, personally, loved it!  I think we should all question everything around us so we can continue to learn about the world. Great job!
I also thought it was a great way to tie everything in together on how people came together.  And the ending?  Let's just say you will be salivating for the next book in the story.  Yes, it is one of those endings.  One of those where you want to pull your hair out but at the same time, have to give props to the author for leaving it like that.  Definitely hooked me!

All in all, Gemini Rising is a great read that flows really well and will have you stuck to the pages wanting to see what else Onyx has up his sleeve.  I expect big things from Jessica O'Gorek and I know many others will love this original concept with a pretty amazing story line.

I give it four hearts~

Links to Buy:

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Connect with the Author:

I was born in Chesapeake, Virginia on April 19th, 1979. I was raised within the American Indian religion and was taught great respect for the earth and all its living beings. Powwows, sweat lodges, vision quests, you name it, I’ve done it. I was the weird kid who would confront kids on the playground in elementary school when they squished a bug. I would very sincerely tell them what they were doing was morally wrong and then I would pray for the bug to come back as a butterfly in its next life.
​I grew up admiring my father, Barry Weinstock, as an author. He took me around the country to different places so he could research and write his Wilderness Survival books. One of his greatest works, “The Path of Power,” was written with a great medicine man, Sunbear. When I was twelve I started
hand writing novels. My first one was two thousand pages. My dad always encouraged me and would rave about my writing. He gave me the confidence I needed to keep writing and follow my dream. My daughter, who is twelve, is currently working on her first novel. I hope to continue the legacy

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