TV-series worthy, I'm really enjoying this stylistic shift C.J. Tudor has been exploring since The Drift, where her stories venture beyond the 'real world' setting of typical thriller mysteries, and start taking place in more fantastical alternate universes — in this case, one where vampires live (with social tension) alongside human civilization.

C.J. Tudor did an excellent job interweaving The Gathering's world building, without coming across as info-dumpy, and the Alaskan small town setting provided the needed chills and atmosphere (though I still wonder why was this not released during a colder season). A signature to C.J. Tudor's narrative style, we had a laundry list of character, alongside a complex relationship/connection to keep track of; while this one isn't as mind-boggling as in the The Burning Girls, some reveals did lose their shock value a tad as I tried to recall in the moment who they were and their relevance to the plot.

Overall, The Gathering has a very polished, 'Hollywood' sheen to it—the plot moves fast, the characters are memorable and appealing (appreciate the sprinkle of humor), and the writing strikes the perfect balance between descriptive and digestible. It has a generally mainstream appeal that might not be everyone's cup of tea (I see the inclusion of more action set pieces and paranormal elements as such tactics), but for me C.J. Tudor is one of a few that blends the marketable influences with enjoyable personal flair. Can't wait for the next one!

**This ARC was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Much appreciated!**