The Gathering by Bernadette Giacomazzo
The Uprising Series tells the story of three freedom fighters and their friends in high — and low — places that come together to overthrow a vainglorious Emperor and his militaristic Cabal to restore the city, and the way of life, they once knew and loved. In The Gathering, Jamie Ryan has defected from the Cabal and has joined his former brothers-in-arms — Basile Perrinault and Kanoa Shinomura — to form a collective known as The Uprising. When an explosion leads to him crossing paths with Evanora Cunningham — a product of Jamie’s past — he discovers that The Uprising is bigger, and more important, than he thought.
Author Bio
With an impressive list of credentials earned over the course of two decades, Bernadette R. Giacomazzo is a multi-hyphenate in the truest sense of the word: an editor, writer, photographer, publicist, and digital marketing specialist who has demonstrated an uncanny ability to thrive in each industry with equal aplomb. Her work has been featured in Teen Vogue, People, Us Weekly, The Los Angeles Times, The New York Post, and many, many more. She served as the news editor of Go! NYC Magazine for nearly a decade, the executive editor of LatinTRENDS Magazine for five years, the eye candy editor of XXL Magazine for two years, and the editor-at-large at iOne/Zona de Sabor for two years. As a publicist, she has worked with the likes of Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson and his G-Unit record label, rapper Kool G. Rap, and various photographers, artists, and models. As a digital marketing specialist, Bernadette is Google Adwords certified, has an advanced knowledge of SEO, PPC, link-building, and other digital marketing techniques, and has worked for a variety of clients in the legal, medical, and real estate industries.
Based in New York City, Bernadette is the co-author of Swimming with Sharks: A Real World, How-To Guide to Success (and Failure) in the Business of Music (for the 21st Century), and the author of the forthcoming dystopian fiction series, The Uprising. She also contributed a story to the upcoming Beyonce Knowles tribute anthology, The King Bey Bible, which will be available in bookstores nationwide in the summer of 2018.
My Review
4 Stars
The world has moved on and not necessarily in a good way. This is New York City in the future, ruled by the Emperor has taken control and has outlawed music, the arts, free will, and so much more. He has cowed the people down and those that violate the rules meet with a bad end with his Cabal, military force. But twenty years of this is too much and a group is starting an Uprising and plan to take the Emperor down.
The story is about Jamie Ryan. He is a former rocker that was part of the Cabal and is now leading the revolt against the emperor. Two of his friends are there to help along with the daughter of his deceased best friend.
The story starts right in the thick of things and I found that I was confused by the first chapter. I didn’t really understand what was going on, how the Emperor got to power, or anything else. But by the time I got to chapter two I was hooked.
This is a bleak world and there are parts of this story that are very tough to read. But I love how it takes fears that we face today and turns them on their head. I could see some people not really getting into the story because of the darkness but I loved it and can’t wait to see what happens in the next book.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. I voluntarily chose to read and post an honest review.
I would like to thank Rachel’s Random Resources for the opportunity to read and share this book.
Giveaway – Win a paperback copy of The Gathering (Open Internationally)
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