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Gathandrian Fantasy Trilogy #1
The Gifting
Simon Hartstongue is a mind-reader, and branded a coward and a murderer. When his overlord and lover Ralph Tregannon turns against him, he is forced to embark on a treacherous journey to the distant and magical land of Gathandria in order to save his country and his own soul. During a series of terrifying trials, Simon must encounter the trickery of the deadly Mind Executioner and the secret dealings of those he ought to trust.
The Gifting is an Awesome Indies novel, and is showcased at the Awesome Indies website.
Reviews:
"The Gifting is a unique fantasy where mental and physical worlds merge in a flight of unrestrained imagination. Unlike much fantasy I've read lately, this book soars with hope. It's a story of redemption gained through a mystical journey through earth, air, fire and water that tests the deepest recesses of a man's soul." (Awesome Indies Reviews)
"The Gifting is merely the introduction to the Gathandrian Trilogy; it's a big world, filled with intrigues and magic, loss and redemption. It's a fantastical place where almost anything is possible, where a coward can become a hero, where the promise for more excitement and enchantment are guaranteed, and I look forward to seeing where Anne Brooke will take us next, as well as discovering what Simon's future holds." (Top2Bottom Reviews)
The Gifting is an Awesome Indies novel, and is showcased at the Awesome Indies website.
Reviews:
"The Gifting is a unique fantasy where mental and physical worlds merge in a flight of unrestrained imagination. Unlike much fantasy I've read lately, this book soars with hope. It's a story of redemption gained through a mystical journey through earth, air, fire and water that tests the deepest recesses of a man's soul." (Awesome Indies Reviews)
"The Gifting is merely the introduction to the Gathandrian Trilogy; it's a big world, filled with intrigues and magic, loss and redemption. It's a fantastical place where almost anything is possible, where a coward can become a hero, where the promise for more excitement and enchantment are guaranteed, and I look forward to seeing where Anne Brooke will take us next, as well as discovering what Simon's future holds." (Top2Bottom Reviews)
449 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 11, 2011
9 people are currently reading
238 people want to read
About the author
Anne Brooke
125 books232 followersAnne is a super-keen book lover, and a multi-genre author & poet. She also loves gardens, swimming & the theatre.
Her fiction has been shortlisted for the Harry Bowling Prize (for novels set in London) and the Royal Literary Fund Scheme.
Her website can be found at: www.annebrooke.com
She can be found on social media as @annebrookebooks
Her fiction has been shortlisted for the Harry Bowling Prize (for novels set in London) and the Royal Literary Fund Scheme.
Her website can be found at: www.annebrooke.com
She can be found on social media as @annebrookebooks
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
Did Not Finish
March 18, 2024I DNFed this back in 2014 and couldn't remember why. Looks like I made it 39% when I gave up though. Perusing this again to try to remember why I quit it, I was bemused by the 3rd-person present tense, but more than that, the writing itself is pretty simplistic and didn't inspire me to push through the tense choice. The story was unfolding so slowly, I have to wonder why the author thought present tense was the way to go. 🤷🏻♀️
Edit:
Hey, look at that. I actually did write a review back then but put it in the comments for some reason. Moving this up to where it belongs.
DNF - I'm giving up on this one. Got to 39% and the action was ramping up and I just didn't care. I have no idea what the point of all this is, why Simon's supposed to be this white knight who saves them all, why there's a war, how all these people's powers work. Johan has to be the densest "hero" in the galaxy, Isabella's a woman, so of course she's ruled by emotion. I just don't care and the author isn't explaining anything. I was going to just shelve it for awhile, but reading the very few reviews here and on GR, I see no reason to hope it gets better and I'm certainly not going to bother with the next two either. Also, it's not MM, at least in the first book. There's a gay character. That's it.
Edit:
Hey, look at that. I actually did write a review back then but put it in the comments for some reason. Moving this up to where it belongs.
DNF - I'm giving up on this one. Got to 39% and the action was ramping up and I just didn't care. I have no idea what the point of all this is, why Simon's supposed to be this white knight who saves them all, why there's a war, how all these people's powers work. Johan has to be the densest "hero" in the galaxy, Isabella's a woman, so of course she's ruled by emotion. I just don't care and the author isn't explaining anything. I was going to just shelve it for awhile, but reading the very few reviews here and on GR, I see no reason to hope it gets better and I'm certainly not going to bother with the next two either. Also, it's not MM, at least in the first book. There's a gay character. That's it.
June 13, 2013
When I was reading this book, I felt heavy. Not from the sophisticated concepts or the depth of reality brought alive by the story. Far from it. It's from, "another LOTR wannabe" that drags all kinds of difficulty upon the MCs. Like LOTR (Book 1), the MCs are in a journey to certain place. Unlike LOTR, however, we don't actually know what's going on except they need to get to their destination place ( only toward the end we learn why .
In the meantime, we read about betrayal (is it?), spy, etc., both by 'good guys' and 'bad guys'.
The author perhaps wanted to give the ambiguity of ying-yang (where there's dark there's light and vice versa.) But, like many modern authors that dabbles with the concept of 'justice', 'good v. evil', the application is very selective. So, yeah, evil comes from misunderstanding, and we're suppose to give the evil-doers (not that they're evil, they just do evil thing; they're different) complete forgiveness. After all, like there's darkness in light, there's also light in the darkness. And surely, no one,and really NO ONE should be killed deliberately by the main character even if they did so many killing themselves. That to get there some (other) people die, that's not what's important. Neither is if the act of forgiveness today might very well result in many (other) people die later, that's an issue for another day.
While it sounds noble, such view is actually very elitist and based on a hierarchical mind: it's imperative that some important people (read: the bad guy) to receive forgiveness even if that person killed many people (read: ordinary people or supporting characters). That those other people don't receive justice for their deaths, well, tough. And if the 'bad' guy kill again later, well, double tough. Their 'values' as human are different, after all. So their deaths can be brushed off, but the 'bad' guy's life must be preserved at all cost. The most important thing is to preserve 'humanity' of the main character by not killing additional person. That he killed many people before doesn't count. Others (who died) are merely collateral damage for the 'bad guy' to find his personal enlightenment.
The one that also bothers me in this book is the frequent presence of deus ex machina.
Alas, not all are bleak. Fans of head hopping, rejoice! For in this book the head hopping is more frequent than commercials in the popular TV series! Sometimes it's only a short two-sentence paragraph (I surprised that they are not label as "Simon POV", "Johan POV", and so on).
BTW, at least for this first book, this is not a gay romance. It's pure fantasy book with a gay character. Not sure about the trilogy.
In the meantime, we read about betrayal (is it?), spy, etc., both by 'good guys' and 'bad guys'.
The author perhaps wanted to give the ambiguity of ying-yang (where there's dark there's light and vice versa.) But, like many modern authors that dabbles with the concept of 'justice', 'good v. evil', the application is very selective. So, yeah, evil comes from misunderstanding, and we're suppose to give the evil-doers (not that they're evil, they just do evil thing; they're different) complete forgiveness. After all, like there's darkness in light, there's also light in the darkness. And surely, no one,and really NO ONE should be killed deliberately by the main character even if they did so many killing themselves. That to get there some (other) people die, that's not what's important. Neither is if the act of forgiveness today might very well result in many (other) people die later, that's an issue for another day.
While it sounds noble, such view is actually very elitist and based on a hierarchical mind: it's imperative that some important people (read: the bad guy) to receive forgiveness even if that person killed many people (read: ordinary people or supporting characters). That those other people don't receive justice for their deaths, well, tough. And if the 'bad' guy kill again later, well, double tough. Their 'values' as human are different, after all. So their deaths can be brushed off, but the 'bad' guy's life must be preserved at all cost. The most important thing is to preserve 'humanity' of the main character by not killing additional person. That he killed many people before doesn't count. Others (who died) are merely collateral damage for the 'bad guy' to find his personal enlightenment.
The one that also bothers me in this book is the frequent presence of deus ex machina.
Alas, not all are bleak. Fans of head hopping, rejoice! For in this book the head hopping is more frequent than commercials in the popular TV series! Sometimes it's only a short two-sentence paragraph (I surprised that they are not label as "Simon POV", "Johan POV", and so on).
BTW, at least for this first book, this is not a gay romance. It's pure fantasy book with a gay character. Not sure about the trilogy.
July 26, 2011
I'm afraid I found this enormously derivative. While I have to admire someone who has the skill to write and has the patience to do it, I really don't think this is going to cut it in the world of fantasy fiction. There are just so many better books out there in my view.
The characterisations were not bad but I found the dialogue pretty stilted and the whole "executioners mind cane" premise contrived. It may work for others but certainly not for me.
Writing less than favourable reviews is tough to do and I expect tough to hear but I think all reviewers owe it other readers not to gush praise the whole time. My opinion is only one, I am sure Anne will sell a few copies of the book, I may even be proved wrong and it goes on to be a success but I for one won't be reading the second installment ( if indeed the first book is successful enough to result in the second part being produced). Sorry.
The characterisations were not bad but I found the dialogue pretty stilted and the whole "executioners mind cane" premise contrived. It may work for others but certainly not for me.
Writing less than favourable reviews is tough to do and I expect tough to hear but I think all reviewers owe it other readers not to gush praise the whole time. My opinion is only one, I am sure Anne will sell a few copies of the book, I may even be proved wrong and it goes on to be a success but I for one won't be reading the second installment ( if indeed the first book is successful enough to result in the second part being produced). Sorry.
gave-up
July 4, 2013Not sure what happened/was supposed to happen, but what I read about was definitely not what the blurb talked about. The advanced praise shit annoyed me because bitch, don't tell me what to think.
It was written in third person present tense interspersed with present perfect. Why? Why would you do something like that? And the "switching between characters" thing was weird. It didn't really feel like there was a need to do so.
And it dragged on. It just felt melodramatic. I couldn't get into the story at all. I didn't know the characters and I didn't care for any of them.
I feel like if this story actually had been about what the blurb said it was about, that would have been nice. Well, maybe it would have been about what the blurb said it was about later, but the beginning seemed like a spin-off story of the blurb description.
Also, third person present tense with bouts of present perfect *shudders
It was written in third person present tense interspersed with present perfect. Why? Why would you do something like that? And the "switching between characters" thing was weird. It didn't really feel like there was a need to do so.
And it dragged on. It just felt melodramatic. I couldn't get into the story at all. I didn't know the characters and I didn't care for any of them.
I feel like if this story actually had been about what the blurb said it was about, that would have been nice. Well, maybe it would have been about what the blurb said it was about later, but the beginning seemed like a spin-off story of the blurb description.
Also, third person present tense with bouts of present perfect *shudders
September 21, 2013
Johan and his sister, Isabella, must find, rescue, and retrieve Simon to stop the ongoing war.
The heavily detailed narrative and dialogue is told from multiple points of view which tends towards the verbose. However, the different points of view blend well into each other, and the details are rich and varied.
All of the characters are flawed and hiding things, which makes it difficult to like them; however, as they grow and open up as the tale progresses, likability increases.
Due to the subject matter of mind battles (simplest way to state it without giving away too many details), it is difficult to relate since most cultures/families/even people have their own perceptions as to how these concepts work.
Overall, an interesting concept and story.
The heavily detailed narrative and dialogue is told from multiple points of view which tends towards the verbose. However, the different points of view blend well into each other, and the details are rich and varied.
All of the characters are flawed and hiding things, which makes it difficult to like them; however, as they grow and open up as the tale progresses, likability increases.
Due to the subject matter of mind battles (simplest way to state it without giving away too many details), it is difficult to relate since most cultures/families/even people have their own perceptions as to how these concepts work.
Overall, an interesting concept and story.
Read
January 9, 2022I've tried starting several times, but the writing is just, not for me, or something.
April 2, 2026
Uneven
I think I got this book during a Stuff Your Kindle event some years ago, read a few pages, maybe got confused, and DNF. I recently lost all my downloaded Kindle books through an iPad migration, and in the process of trying to recover them, found The Gifting again. This time I gave it more leeway and ended up enjoying it. There are parts, like the Kingdom of Air sequence, that are beautiful and poetic. I also liked Simon quite a bit, despite Johan & Isabella’s preconceptions that we are introduced to before ever meeting him. I can’t say the same for the other characters.
Isabella is set up as a tragic villain right at the start, but I never developed any sympathy for her. I felt like there were prior events that are glossed over that might have made her more complicated and sympathetic. Then, forall that he is one of the main characters, Johan is not at all fleshed out. Brooke gives us insight into his thoughts at times, but he never seems to be fully realized. Back in Gathandria, Annyeke seems like a very interesting character with important backstory that we are never told, thus being a frustrating character. Simon is the only person we are ever allowed to know, and I don’t know if that is deliberate, but it isn’t good storytelling, which is kind of ironic, given that storytelling by the characters is supposed to be so powerful. Carthen, despite his apparent importance to Simon, appears to be a throwaway character for Brooke, which seems like a missed opportunity. Ralph is a complete cipher, and I guess I can hope to see Carthen & Ralph given another chance in the next book, IF I decide to continue this series.
There are also plenty of confusing concepts and worldbuilding that Brooke seems to think we already know, like Gathandrian history, politics, and current affairs. She isn’t quite skillful enough to teach us these things as the story unfolds, so I’m wondering if I missed a book, although this is billed as the first book of a trilogy.
The concept seems to be the standard desperate epic fight against the much stronger evil enemy, with a complex new setting, race, and “magic” system set up as the things that will set it apart. This trope should be driven by strong characters, but Brooke falls down on both characters and worldbuilding right away. Gathandria has, in so many words, a magic system that needs more explanation, especially since it is the underpinnings of the physicality of the land and its “magical” race. I’m torn as to if I’ll continue the series. Since it’s on KU, I might, but there are a lot of books competing for my attention.
I think I got this book during a Stuff Your Kindle event some years ago, read a few pages, maybe got confused, and DNF. I recently lost all my downloaded Kindle books through an iPad migration, and in the process of trying to recover them, found The Gifting again. This time I gave it more leeway and ended up enjoying it. There are parts, like the Kingdom of Air sequence, that are beautiful and poetic. I also liked Simon quite a bit, despite Johan & Isabella’s preconceptions that we are introduced to before ever meeting him. I can’t say the same for the other characters.
Isabella is set up as a tragic villain right at the start, but I never developed any sympathy for her. I felt like there were prior events that are glossed over that might have made her more complicated and sympathetic. Then, forall that he is one of the main characters, Johan is not at all fleshed out. Brooke gives us insight into his thoughts at times, but he never seems to be fully realized. Back in Gathandria, Annyeke seems like a very interesting character with important backstory that we are never told, thus being a frustrating character. Simon is the only person we are ever allowed to know, and I don’t know if that is deliberate, but it isn’t good storytelling, which is kind of ironic, given that storytelling by the characters is supposed to be so powerful. Carthen, despite his apparent importance to Simon, appears to be a throwaway character for Brooke, which seems like a missed opportunity. Ralph is a complete cipher, and I guess I can hope to see Carthen & Ralph given another chance in the next book, IF I decide to continue this series.
There are also plenty of confusing concepts and worldbuilding that Brooke seems to think we already know, like Gathandrian history, politics, and current affairs. She isn’t quite skillful enough to teach us these things as the story unfolds, so I’m wondering if I missed a book, although this is billed as the first book of a trilogy.
The concept seems to be the standard desperate epic fight against the much stronger evil enemy, with a complex new setting, race, and “magic” system set up as the things that will set it apart. This trope should be driven by strong characters, but Brooke falls down on both characters and worldbuilding right away. Gathandria has, in so many words, a magic system that needs more explanation, especially since it is the underpinnings of the physicality of the land and its “magical” race. I’m torn as to if I’ll continue the series. Since it’s on KU, I might, but there are a lot of books competing for my attention.
October 16, 2013
I don't read much fantasy, which immediately colors my opinion on "The Gifting". The world described in this book is filled with magic, but I had a hard time grasping its "rules" and thus its inhabitants. Though travelling with Simon, Johan and Isabella grew on me after a while and I was very much intrigued by them and their personality. Annyeke's part of the story confused me again but I was glad to realize at the end her importance and the bigger part she will no doubt play in the sequel, "Hallsfoot's Battle".
I would rate this book somewhere between "it was ok" and "liked it" due to some minor nitpicking. Perhaps I had a faulty edition but my version confused me when it came to the characters' thoughts; I would very much have preferred them in italics, the better to differentiate from other inner dialogue. Also the constant jumping back and forth between the characters, each section labeled with their name, did not really irritate me but it did interrupt the reading flow for me. I would have preferred staying longer with each character, but this is a writer's choice in storytelling and other readers might like it for the sense of urgency it creates, to keep reading so to quickly return to a favorite character.
I had a hard time visualising this story, usually when something magical occurred. Not fully grasping what was going on, especially when it came to travelling within each other's minds, suddenly moving from one place to another, confused me. But that's probably just me, with my lack of more fantasy experience. Halfway through I didn't think I would be interested in the other parts of the trilogy, but now I'm rightfully curious how things will fare with Simon, Johan and Annyeke.
I would rate this book somewhere between "it was ok" and "liked it" due to some minor nitpicking. Perhaps I had a faulty edition but my version confused me when it came to the characters' thoughts; I would very much have preferred them in italics, the better to differentiate from other inner dialogue. Also the constant jumping back and forth between the characters, each section labeled with their name, did not really irritate me but it did interrupt the reading flow for me. I would have preferred staying longer with each character, but this is a writer's choice in storytelling and other readers might like it for the sense of urgency it creates, to keep reading so to quickly return to a favorite character.
I had a hard time visualising this story, usually when something magical occurred. Not fully grasping what was going on, especially when it came to travelling within each other's minds, suddenly moving from one place to another, confused me. But that's probably just me, with my lack of more fantasy experience. Halfway through I didn't think I would be interested in the other parts of the trilogy, but now I'm rightfully curious how things will fare with Simon, Johan and Annyeke.
December 2, 2012
I received a copy of this book from the author in return for an honest review.
This is a fantastic fantasy that kept me glued to the pages! I loved it!
Johan and Isabella are brother and sister. They are complex characters. Johan is a man of pure spirit; he is kind and considerate. Isabella has a secret, and is willing to kill to protect it. They have been sent on a mission to find Simon, in the hopes that he will be The One to stop the mind-executioner, Gelahn.
Simon is another fantastic character. He has a big heart, but has his love been misplaced? I really felt for this character, as he has to face the consequences of his actions. He see's himself as a coward, but I don't see him that way. He is actually quite brave, but misguided.
This story is totally captivating! I loved the imagery and vivid descriptions of the different worlds that the trio traverse.
I love the way the story flows, with the different points of view from not only Johan, Isabella and Simon, but from Annyeke (one of the Gathandrian's) too. This is a tale of magic, love, loss and betrayal that had me on a rollercoaster ride of emotions.
The ending is bittersweet, but it makes me look forward to reading the next book in the series.
Anne Brooke has written a compelling fantasy that swept me away to a land of danger and adventure. I am adding Anne to my favourite authors list - not only is she an accomplished children's story writer, but a fantastic fantasy novelist! I highly recommend this book if you love fantasy novels. - Lynn Worton
This is a fantastic fantasy that kept me glued to the pages! I loved it!
Johan and Isabella are brother and sister. They are complex characters. Johan is a man of pure spirit; he is kind and considerate. Isabella has a secret, and is willing to kill to protect it. They have been sent on a mission to find Simon, in the hopes that he will be The One to stop the mind-executioner, Gelahn.
Simon is another fantastic character. He has a big heart, but has his love been misplaced? I really felt for this character, as he has to face the consequences of his actions. He see's himself as a coward, but I don't see him that way. He is actually quite brave, but misguided.
This story is totally captivating! I loved the imagery and vivid descriptions of the different worlds that the trio traverse.
I love the way the story flows, with the different points of view from not only Johan, Isabella and Simon, but from Annyeke (one of the Gathandrian's) too. This is a tale of magic, love, loss and betrayal that had me on a rollercoaster ride of emotions.
The ending is bittersweet, but it makes me look forward to reading the next book in the series.
Anne Brooke has written a compelling fantasy that swept me away to a land of danger and adventure. I am adding Anne to my favourite authors list - not only is she an accomplished children's story writer, but a fantastic fantasy novelist! I highly recommend this book if you love fantasy novels. - Lynn Worton
February 22, 2012
I really enjoyed this first installment and I'm really looking forward to the second book in the trilogy. The world Anne has created is interesting and I loved the legends and stories that go with it, eg, the different constellations and their meanings.
The only niggle I had was the multiple POVs. This is something I always have mixed feelings about. I love knowing what is going on in eveyrone's head (I am one of nature's nosey parkers!), but usually find it a wrench when the POV is switched to another character as I get very engrossed in that character; however, my problem this time was more that we didn't get long, with a few exceptions, in each character's POV. This made the switch easier as I wasn't so engrossed in that POV when it switched, but I would have liked longer; it felt like I didn't get to know each character as I would have liked. I suppose in the end, I did, but it felt a bit fragmented.
This is a very personal niggle and didn't spoil my overall enjoyment of a very good story. I loved Simon, in particular. He reminded me of Thomas Covenant - almost an anti-hero. A very flawed individual who is his own worst enemy.
The only niggle I had was the multiple POVs. This is something I always have mixed feelings about. I love knowing what is going on in eveyrone's head (I am one of nature's nosey parkers!), but usually find it a wrench when the POV is switched to another character as I get very engrossed in that character; however, my problem this time was more that we didn't get long, with a few exceptions, in each character's POV. This made the switch easier as I wasn't so engrossed in that POV when it switched, but I would have liked longer; it felt like I didn't get to know each character as I would have liked. I suppose in the end, I did, but it felt a bit fragmented.
This is a very personal niggle and didn't spoil my overall enjoyment of a very good story. I loved Simon, in particular. He reminded me of Thomas Covenant - almost an anti-hero. A very flawed individual who is his own worst enemy.
February 4, 2020
I struggled to get into the story for several chapters but persevered. There are 4 main characters (two good, one bad-good and one bad). The story is told from different character's perspectives which can get confusing at times and annoying at other times (since it disrupted my reading continuity). I was really really really P-Offed with the demise of a sweet and innocent secondary characters (no reason for this death at all except for further pathos!). This affected my reading enjoyment for the remainder of the book.
The world building however was quite impressive ... at times I had no idea where we would be heading next; very "Life of Pi" in fact. The ending was a little more abrupt and wound up too quickly IMO. Some serious editing by an experienced fantasy editor would make this a much better story than what it currently is.
The world building however was quite impressive ... at times I had no idea where we would be heading next; very "Life of Pi" in fact. The ending was a little more abrupt and wound up too quickly IMO. Some serious editing by an experienced fantasy editor would make this a much better story than what it currently is.
July 3, 2019
I received this book in a First Reads contest! The Gifting was written in an interesting way in which the author wrote from each character's point of view with a title beforehand so that the reader would be clear on who's "voice" they were reading. I have never seen this style before, and was unsure at first if I would like it, but I actually found it enjoyable. It was interesting to hear different points of view on the same situations from the various characters. I believe this was the author's first book of this genre and I feel she wrote a well paced, creative book.
December 5, 2013
A fantasy about a brother and sister with mind gifts who look for a cousin to save their beloved city. Somewhere in the middle of the story where they have the part about the snow birds, I was starting to loose interest but I kept on. I wanted to know Simon's story. Simon's character was the most human and interesting part. Great writing, but fantasy is not the easiest subject for me, but Simon's story made it that much more easier for me to stay with it. Simon is in love with another man, but there is no sex....it's more about the dynamics of their relationship.
August 19, 2013
Wow. Such a good read. Starts out slow, but by the end its epical.
June 5, 2012
The Gifting is a unique fantasy where mental and physical worlds merge in a flight of unrestrained imagination. Unlike much fantasy I’ve read lately, this book soars with hope. It’s a story of redemption gained through a mystical journey through earth, air, fire and water that tests the deepest recesses of a man’s soul.
From the blurb: The mind-dwellers of Gathandria are under deadly siege. For two year-cycles they have suffered: their people decimated, their beautiful city in ruins. Their once peaceful life has descended into chaos and misery. Legends tell of the Lost One who will return at such a time to save them from their mortal enemy – the mind-executioner.
Johan and Isabella journey to the Lammas Lands in search of the one they think might be the Lost One, a distant cousin and lowly scribe, Simon Hartstongue, but Johan has his doubts because Simon is a coward and a murderer. How can such a person be the one who will save their country?
They find Simon and the book tells us the story of their journey to Gathandria interwoven with stories from Simon’s past. Through the stories, Simon comes to understand himself, and through the deadly challenges posed by their journey, he and his companions comes to discover his deeper qualities. The results are surprising for them all.
The mind-executioner who has absolute power with a stolen mind-cane tracks them throughout their journey, always just behind them and intent on killing Simon. When the cane strikes Simon, it should kill him, but it doesn’t, and eventually Simon comes to realise that he has a powerful gift. However, in order to use it he needs a strong, pure mind. At Johan’s request, Simon tells his stories, going deeper into his past as the story progresses. The storytelling cleanses and protects them, a wonderful theme that parallels the healing affect of recounting one’s childhood traumas for a councillor or psychiatrist.
The character development is exemplarity. It’s rare that you see characters grow so deeply and well supported by the action.
The story is told from four points of view, three on the journey and one in Gathandria. The chapters are divided into sections, sometimes very short, labelled with the name of the character whose viewpoint that section is written in. At first, these quick changes were a little disconcerting, but it soon became part of the rhythm of the story, and some of the surrealistic action might have been confusing without the different viewpoints.
What was even stranger was the occasional use of present tense at the beginning of a change from one point of view to another. Tense is a risky thing to play with and it did jolt a little, but it also highlighted aspects of the action. I think the author pulled it off, but others may disagree. The story would have read more smoothly without it. I’m giving it 4 stars and I recommend it for anyone who likes something different and especially if they like a bit of psychological depth in their reading.
From the blurb: The mind-dwellers of Gathandria are under deadly siege. For two year-cycles they have suffered: their people decimated, their beautiful city in ruins. Their once peaceful life has descended into chaos and misery. Legends tell of the Lost One who will return at such a time to save them from their mortal enemy – the mind-executioner.
Johan and Isabella journey to the Lammas Lands in search of the one they think might be the Lost One, a distant cousin and lowly scribe, Simon Hartstongue, but Johan has his doubts because Simon is a coward and a murderer. How can such a person be the one who will save their country?
They find Simon and the book tells us the story of their journey to Gathandria interwoven with stories from Simon’s past. Through the stories, Simon comes to understand himself, and through the deadly challenges posed by their journey, he and his companions comes to discover his deeper qualities. The results are surprising for them all.
The mind-executioner who has absolute power with a stolen mind-cane tracks them throughout their journey, always just behind them and intent on killing Simon. When the cane strikes Simon, it should kill him, but it doesn’t, and eventually Simon comes to realise that he has a powerful gift. However, in order to use it he needs a strong, pure mind. At Johan’s request, Simon tells his stories, going deeper into his past as the story progresses. The storytelling cleanses and protects them, a wonderful theme that parallels the healing affect of recounting one’s childhood traumas for a councillor or psychiatrist.
The character development is exemplarity. It’s rare that you see characters grow so deeply and well supported by the action.
The story is told from four points of view, three on the journey and one in Gathandria. The chapters are divided into sections, sometimes very short, labelled with the name of the character whose viewpoint that section is written in. At first, these quick changes were a little disconcerting, but it soon became part of the rhythm of the story, and some of the surrealistic action might have been confusing without the different viewpoints.
What was even stranger was the occasional use of present tense at the beginning of a change from one point of view to another. Tense is a risky thing to play with and it did jolt a little, but it also highlighted aspects of the action. I think the author pulled it off, but others may disagree. The story would have read more smoothly without it. I’m giving it 4 stars and I recommend it for anyone who likes something different and especially if they like a bit of psychological depth in their reading.
August 11, 2011
Original review at: http://twlibreviews.com/2011/08/revie...
What I like about the The Gifting by Anne Brooke is the imagery of the Kingdom of Air where the ravens resided and protected Simon. It was the ultimate test. It brings Simon hope, for he had been forbidden his history and what he was. It was also a place of renewal where Simon dares to step to the plate and grant something precious to the Boy, the only person in this story I could redeem Simon for his past actions.
I could not fully invest into the characters, Johan, Isabella and particularly Simon. He admits he’s a coward, which I don’t have any issues with this trait. But Simon is also a murderer and that is not okay. There seems something lacking in these people. A heart, an emotional landscape, I felt a distance in trying to get to know these people. All three characters are flawed. Yet, I couldn’t find positive traits that would endear them to me, except for Simon’s care for the Boy.
As Johan must’ve felt, we grudgingly go through a series of tests with Simon to determine his worthiness. The mind-executioner is on their trail and causes a great deal of conflict as Johan, Isabella, and Simon travel back to Gathandria.
It wasn’t until I reached the Kingdom of Air scenes that I began to get involved in the story. At this point, I’m more than halfway through The Gifting.
Written in 3rd person, multiple viewpoints from Johan, Simon, Isabella, and Annyeke. I felt the structure weakened the story due to slow pacing, too much telling reducing the tension, repetition of wordings and phrases, and not enough external actions. The war is fought through the minds of the people. It’s a hard concept, not easily vision without the effect of a physical fight that we can feel and touch through the wordings.
As one of the best mind-dwellers, Johan acted unbelievably naive when it came to his sister, Isabella.
The ending, however, was very satisfying.
What I like about the The Gifting by Anne Brooke is the imagery of the Kingdom of Air where the ravens resided and protected Simon. It was the ultimate test. It brings Simon hope, for he had been forbidden his history and what he was. It was also a place of renewal where Simon dares to step to the plate and grant something precious to the Boy, the only person in this story I could redeem Simon for his past actions.
I could not fully invest into the characters, Johan, Isabella and particularly Simon. He admits he’s a coward, which I don’t have any issues with this trait. But Simon is also a murderer and that is not okay. There seems something lacking in these people. A heart, an emotional landscape, I felt a distance in trying to get to know these people. All three characters are flawed. Yet, I couldn’t find positive traits that would endear them to me, except for Simon’s care for the Boy.
As Johan must’ve felt, we grudgingly go through a series of tests with Simon to determine his worthiness. The mind-executioner is on their trail and causes a great deal of conflict as Johan, Isabella, and Simon travel back to Gathandria.
It wasn’t until I reached the Kingdom of Air scenes that I began to get involved in the story. At this point, I’m more than halfway through The Gifting.
Written in 3rd person, multiple viewpoints from Johan, Simon, Isabella, and Annyeke. I felt the structure weakened the story due to slow pacing, too much telling reducing the tension, repetition of wordings and phrases, and not enough external actions. The war is fought through the minds of the people. It’s a hard concept, not easily vision without the effect of a physical fight that we can feel and touch through the wordings.
As one of the best mind-dwellers, Johan acted unbelievably naive when it came to his sister, Isabella.
The ending, however, was very satisfying.
June 18, 2011
As ever with Anne Brookes, she achieves the unexpected. This is an unusual fantasy with a compelling 'hero' and a beautifully realised world. Far from reverting to the usual and familiar in fantasy Brookes gives us a cast of unforgettable characters and an adventure that is at once a physical and spiritual journey. This is a story that lingers in the mind - I am so looking forward to the next instalment!
Currently Reading
August 11, 2011This is a Goodreads.com First Reads giveaway. Looking forward to receiving it!
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January 1, 2014*downloaded free on ARE
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