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Million Dollar Gift
Ross Bentley is a skateboarding slacker, who has hardly any real friends, communicates with his father by grunting and hates his job in the local supermarket. Ross also has the gift of telekinesis but has always kept it hidden, even from those closest to him. That all changes when he learns of The Million Dollar Gift, a contest in which the organisers have challenged anyone to prove they have a superhuman skill. Any applicant who is successful will receive one million dollars prize money. Ross can't let this opportunity go by and enters the contest. He stuns the organisers by passing every test and wins the prize money. All does not go according to plan though; Ross's identity was supposed to be kept secret but when his test videos are leaked onto the internet he becomes a sensation. Within twenty four hours the entire world knows his name and what he can do. But fame is not all he has to deal with. He has attracted the attentions of others who have the gift, and not all of them are happy about his arrival on the scene.
419 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 7, 2012
3 people are currently reading
50 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
July 12, 2025
I'm not even kidding when I say: THIS IS MY FAVOURITE BOOK!!!!!! READ IT. JUST TRUST ME. READ THE DAMN BOOK. U WILL NOT REGRET IT. I REPEAT U WILL NOT REGRET IT!!
This book is so damn underrated and unknown and I have NO CLUE why, like everytime I recommend it to someone they don't know it.
Its such is a thrilling read it has a twist of a supernatural combined with the modern world and it also portrays a relatively realistic view. If these circumstances were to happen (gifted people existing and a competition, this might actually happen)
It's safe to say this book is fascinating and I've read it at least 10 times! And I NEVER re read books. This is the only book I've ever re read
I cannot recommend this book enough..
BUT
Yes, there is a 'but'
This book takes a while to start.. trust me on this, when I recommended this book to a friend I was like 'look, you have to get past ABOUT page 60, if you don't like the book after then you can put it down' My friend kept reading a few pages and he didn't like it but one day he passed page 60 and...
He read the rest of the book in one night, he didn't go to sleep he just read and as soon as he did that he came to me and said
'Oh god, please tell me you have the 2nd book!'
So yes, this book is amazing. If I could read one book for the first time again IT WOULD BE THIS!
This book is soooooooooooooooo underrated!
READ.IT.YOU.WONT.REGRET.IT
If you do read it please let me know how you found it!!
I hope this review was helpful, please thumbs it up if it was!! 😊
This book is so damn underrated and unknown and I have NO CLUE why, like everytime I recommend it to someone they don't know it.
Its such is a thrilling read it has a twist of a supernatural combined with the modern world and it also portrays a relatively realistic view. If these circumstances were to happen (gifted people existing and a competition, this might actually happen)
It's safe to say this book is fascinating and I've read it at least 10 times! And I NEVER re read books. This is the only book I've ever re read
I cannot recommend this book enough..
BUT
Yes, there is a 'but'
This book takes a while to start.. trust me on this, when I recommended this book to a friend I was like 'look, you have to get past ABOUT page 60, if you don't like the book after then you can put it down' My friend kept reading a few pages and he didn't like it but one day he passed page 60 and...
He read the rest of the book in one night, he didn't go to sleep he just read and as soon as he did that he came to me and said
'Oh god, please tell me you have the 2nd book!'
So yes, this book is amazing. If I could read one book for the first time again IT WOULD BE THIS!
This book is soooooooooooooooo underrated!
READ.IT.YOU.WONT.REGRET.IT
If you do read it please let me know how you found it!!
I hope this review was helpful, please thumbs it up if it was!! 😊
February 17, 2015
Fantastic.Im reading the sequel right now. Praise to Ian Somers. I hope he makes a fourth book for me to read. Once again amazing, full on acton. GRAEAT!
February 17, 2022
Really enjoyable read and I really liked the interesting super powers of the characters. Some great action scenes and I'm looking forward to reading the sequel.
August 8, 2025
Going to try to up my critical reflection - so I’ll do the positives and negatives as I see them.
POSITIVE - liked the world building, I could see how the super rich would cultivate wanting to own people who are “gifted”. I could also see how Ross would get tempted by the prize and enter the competition. The audio narration was fantastic the narrator really has a great talent for accents.
NEGATIVE - I thought it read like a film script, none of the characters had any real depth and as such it was hard to care about what happened to anyone. The exposition in the form of documents and recorded telephone conversations felt clunky and too text heavy, sometimes it’s okay for us the reader not to know what the main character doesn’t know.
OVERALL - enjoyable but forgettable too
POSITIVE - liked the world building, I could see how the super rich would cultivate wanting to own people who are “gifted”. I could also see how Ross would get tempted by the prize and enter the competition. The audio narration was fantastic the narrator really has a great talent for accents.
NEGATIVE - I thought it read like a film script, none of the characters had any real depth and as such it was hard to care about what happened to anyone. The exposition in the form of documents and recorded telephone conversations felt clunky and too text heavy, sometimes it’s okay for us the reader not to know what the main character doesn’t know.
OVERALL - enjoyable but forgettable too
November 17, 2020
In school, the English teachers tell you to show, not tell, in your writing. This book is an example of why they say that. There is a lot of tell, rather than show here, and it is rather tiresome.
I found myself skimming large sections of fight scenes and other bits. The story itself is exciting, if you can suspend your disbelief long enough. The imaginary parts of the story are not treated with the care of, say, JK Rowling, so it really does require a new effort of disbelief suppression each time you sit down to read this. And in the end, it’s kind of … meh?
I found myself skimming large sections of fight scenes and other bits. The story itself is exciting, if you can suspend your disbelief long enough. The imaginary parts of the story are not treated with the care of, say, JK Rowling, so it really does require a new effort of disbelief suppression each time you sit down to read this. And in the end, it’s kind of … meh?
June 8, 2025
Before reading, I was pretty sure that I would like this book.
While reading, I discovered that I found it to be very, very long winded and plain silly.
After reading, I think it's very safe to say that I won't be reading more books by Somers.
(Please forgive my poor English, my excuse is I’m Swedish).
While reading, I discovered that I found it to be very, very long winded and plain silly.
After reading, I think it's very safe to say that I won't be reading more books by Somers.
(Please forgive my poor English, my excuse is I’m Swedish).
April 25, 2019
Объркани младежи със суперсили разменят енергийни вълни. Първите стотина страници бяха интересни, после ситуацията се спече.
February 20, 2023
My 11 year son read this series and was raving about them. He’s just disappointed there are only 3 books by this fantastic author.
Any chance of another book?
Any chance of another book?
October 3, 2025
An enjoyable read. Never boring. Ross Bentley has some challengers to overcome and he does so well.
November 24, 2025
A great take on supernatural gifts. Great character building. Enjoyed this. A refreshing discovery
August 27, 2024
painful to get through tbh, it has a very wattpad juvenile way of writing
October 12, 2016
In a thrilling action packed fiction, Ian Somers fits in a wonderfully elaborate plot featuring key elements to a great book! The nail biting page turner makes four hundred pages of wonder go by in a whiz. Despite the basic vocabulary, Million Dollar Gift has easily become one of my favourite books.
In a switching first person view from protagonist to antagonist, Ross Bently has discovered his gift for controlling objects with his mind. He hears of a tournament called the “Million Dollar Gift” held by renowned scientist Mark Golding, Ross travels to London to take part in what he thinks is a simple contest. Getting himself into a hidden world of danger, Ross meets another powerful gifted man, Romand. Romand becomes Ross’ mentor to face the biggest foe of his life, a woman named Marianne. With an unbreakable plot, you won’t want to put it down!
Ian Somers, the author of Million Dollar Gift wrote two sequels to the book. Unlike most series’, the next two books, actually feature creative writing and aren't just sucking the wealthy blood out of the first successful book (*cough* Rick Riordan *cough*). They feature unique plotlines and keep the reader's blood flowing.
I personally loved this book, it offers a different view into a little culture due to the location change. It is a fast paced action, you never get bored, and it has all the components of a good book. The major mystery component only adds to the level of excitement building up until the final chapters.
The only dislike I had specifically was the lack of enthusiasm in the language department, I don’t think I stumbled on a word i didn’t recognise. Even for the use of basic literature Ian Somers contrasted well built sentences and introduced ways of creating phrases I’ve rarely seen.
The plot contracted a well weaved idea and was executed in a pure type of writing, I don’t believe he could've come up with a better plot for his fifteen true gift idea. I also enjoyed the secondary story in the background. If you ever come to read this pay lots of attention to his father, a more intricate story is hidden behind it’s drab cover.
I would love for others to read this book and enjoy the enthusiasm I had while waiting on the sequel oh so long ago the first time I read the book. It also puts up a few meaningful themes at the end of the book, such as; people you care for don’t last forever.
I would love to read other books/series’ by this author, I believe the base of his books come from great ideas and interesting topics. This story was absolutely thrilling and featured great characters, so next time you go looking for a book, picking up Million Dollar Gift by Ian Somers would be a stupendous choice.
In a switching first person view from protagonist to antagonist, Ross Bently has discovered his gift for controlling objects with his mind. He hears of a tournament called the “Million Dollar Gift” held by renowned scientist Mark Golding, Ross travels to London to take part in what he thinks is a simple contest. Getting himself into a hidden world of danger, Ross meets another powerful gifted man, Romand. Romand becomes Ross’ mentor to face the biggest foe of his life, a woman named Marianne. With an unbreakable plot, you won’t want to put it down!
Ian Somers, the author of Million Dollar Gift wrote two sequels to the book. Unlike most series’, the next two books, actually feature creative writing and aren't just sucking the wealthy blood out of the first successful book (*cough* Rick Riordan *cough*). They feature unique plotlines and keep the reader's blood flowing.
I personally loved this book, it offers a different view into a little culture due to the location change. It is a fast paced action, you never get bored, and it has all the components of a good book. The major mystery component only adds to the level of excitement building up until the final chapters.
The only dislike I had specifically was the lack of enthusiasm in the language department, I don’t think I stumbled on a word i didn’t recognise. Even for the use of basic literature Ian Somers contrasted well built sentences and introduced ways of creating phrases I’ve rarely seen.
The plot contracted a well weaved idea and was executed in a pure type of writing, I don’t believe he could've come up with a better plot for his fifteen true gift idea. I also enjoyed the secondary story in the background. If you ever come to read this pay lots of attention to his father, a more intricate story is hidden behind it’s drab cover.
I would love for others to read this book and enjoy the enthusiasm I had while waiting on the sequel oh so long ago the first time I read the book. It also puts up a few meaningful themes at the end of the book, such as; people you care for don’t last forever.
I would love to read other books/series’ by this author, I believe the base of his books come from great ideas and interesting topics. This story was absolutely thrilling and featured great characters, so next time you go looking for a book, picking up Million Dollar Gift by Ian Somers would be a stupendous choice.
April 6, 2015
A fantastic action thriller for teenagers! And an unusual idea that plays into recent trends along the lines of TV shows Heroes and Misfits - superhero powers and ordinary people.
Ross Bentley is a bit of a loner - by choice, it seems. We meet him as he films himself doing a seemingly impossible stunt on his skateboard and uploading it anonymously. He can't reveal his skills - because he has psychokinesis. The ability to move things using his mind. Right from the start, he comes across as a very moral and honest young man, though still pretty cheeky and a total teenager (smart-alec answers to his Dad and teachers). Ross's Dad is a widower and struggling to find work. Ross knows his abilities could help but knows he can't use his powers dishonesty.
A chance to change this seems to come when the Million Dollar Gift competition is advertised - run by scientists and businessman, this international contest is searching for people like Ross - people with powers that defy logic. Ross has to wrestle with his conscience and consider making then trip to London from his native Ireland to see if he can change his (and his family's fortunes and will the big prize.
But if he makes it - will it be all it appears? We of course know that this story will of course take Ross in unexpected directions. And yes, it does. And it's a fantastic trip involving other individuals with powers, corruption and greed, loyalty and love, and lots of very cool demonstrations of psychokinesis.
This would make a wonderful film (or TV series). There are some great baddies, some powers I'd love to see filmed for the screen, some superb potential action setpieces, and the writing moves at a cracking pace, leaving Ross little time to pause and the reader hurtling too fast towards and end that, manages to end this story while setting up the next in the series.
I think both genders will enjoy this as there are some compelling and strong female characters but a lead hero that will appeal to both. It's full of humour and danger, but manages a few love scenes, training, a Matrix-like attack, and some very, very cool superpowers.
Really enjoyed this. May look for the sequel.
Ross Bentley is a bit of a loner - by choice, it seems. We meet him as he films himself doing a seemingly impossible stunt on his skateboard and uploading it anonymously. He can't reveal his skills - because he has psychokinesis. The ability to move things using his mind. Right from the start, he comes across as a very moral and honest young man, though still pretty cheeky and a total teenager (smart-alec answers to his Dad and teachers). Ross's Dad is a widower and struggling to find work. Ross knows his abilities could help but knows he can't use his powers dishonesty.
A chance to change this seems to come when the Million Dollar Gift competition is advertised - run by scientists and businessman, this international contest is searching for people like Ross - people with powers that defy logic. Ross has to wrestle with his conscience and consider making then trip to London from his native Ireland to see if he can change his (and his family's fortunes and will the big prize.
But if he makes it - will it be all it appears? We of course know that this story will of course take Ross in unexpected directions. And yes, it does. And it's a fantastic trip involving other individuals with powers, corruption and greed, loyalty and love, and lots of very cool demonstrations of psychokinesis.
This would make a wonderful film (or TV series). There are some great baddies, some powers I'd love to see filmed for the screen, some superb potential action setpieces, and the writing moves at a cracking pace, leaving Ross little time to pause and the reader hurtling too fast towards and end that, manages to end this story while setting up the next in the series.
I think both genders will enjoy this as there are some compelling and strong female characters but a lead hero that will appeal to both. It's full of humour and danger, but manages a few love scenes, training, a Matrix-like attack, and some very, very cool superpowers.
Really enjoyed this. May look for the sequel.
September 16, 2013
A Drunken Kamelion Book Review
Whoa. Mind blown. This thing's the next Insignia.
So, imagine you're just a normal person. Except you aren't, you have the power of... wait for it...
PSYCHOKINESIS!
Yes, that's right, psychokinesis! It means you can move stuff with your mind! Enter our hero, Ross Bentley! He's just an ordinary guy until he enters this competition called The Million Dollar Gift! Which is a contest that is trying to find someone who can prove they have superhuman powers.
But wait, there's more! Except you'll have to read the book to discover the most amazing of plot twists! The book is sort of like an epic chase scene, and that's all I can give you! Now I have to try and find the sequel to find out what happens.
This book is basically like most of the story elements from Insignia, Rise of the Wolf and Itch: The Explosive Adventures of an Element Hunter and combined, and I love that! And of course, I'm all for interesting concepts, and the idea of the sixteen True Gifts left me asking so many questions! I loved every page, and once you get to chapter 9 or so you won't be able to put it down! Now there's 400 pages of complete and utter epicness. It's just a shame more people don't know about this book, Ian Somers really has potential here! Come on guys - you should honestly read this! And if you don't, you're really missing out!
December 25, 2013
I started to read this book at 1am. I was half way through it when I realised it was 4am in the morning. I really didn't want to finish because I was so curious of what is going to happen next. Although I decided that I need some sleep.
I woke up at 2pm, I ate something and at 3pm I started reading from where I finished. I was finished the whole book by 6pm and I was so disappointed that it was over. If I only had the second book with me, I would have started reading it straight away because now I'm going to lose motivation until the time I get the second book.
I'm not the type of a reader. I could count how many books I have read in my life on the fingers of my hands. Not only I am very proud of myself that I read a book in just 6 hours, but I also really enjoyed it! I would never have thought that someday I'm going to read over 400 pages in just 6 hours! Reading a comic seemed already boring for me! Althought I think it was the matter of me becoming a little bit more mature. I read 2 books this month and Million Dollar Gift was one of them.
I must say that I enjoyed this book as much as I enjoyed "The Hunger Games". I'm actually thinking if the fact that it took me only 6 hours to read Million Dollar Gift, doesn't that make me like it more than The Hunger Games? I'm still trying to come up with an answer to this question. I think I will have to read "The Hidden Gift" in order to fidn out.
Now, what did I like about Million Dollar Gift? Everything. English isn't my first language so the use of simple and everyday words really made this book easy to read for me. I love the way the book is set in modern times. Mentioning of social media like facebook and youtube made me feel like at home. The fact that Ross was just an ordinary kid.
I can't wait to read "The Hidden Gift".
I woke up at 2pm, I ate something and at 3pm I started reading from where I finished. I was finished the whole book by 6pm and I was so disappointed that it was over. If I only had the second book with me, I would have started reading it straight away because now I'm going to lose motivation until the time I get the second book.
I'm not the type of a reader. I could count how many books I have read in my life on the fingers of my hands. Not only I am very proud of myself that I read a book in just 6 hours, but I also really enjoyed it! I would never have thought that someday I'm going to read over 400 pages in just 6 hours! Reading a comic seemed already boring for me! Althought I think it was the matter of me becoming a little bit more mature. I read 2 books this month and Million Dollar Gift was one of them.
I must say that I enjoyed this book as much as I enjoyed "The Hunger Games". I'm actually thinking if the fact that it took me only 6 hours to read Million Dollar Gift, doesn't that make me like it more than The Hunger Games? I'm still trying to come up with an answer to this question. I think I will have to read "The Hidden Gift" in order to fidn out.
Now, what did I like about Million Dollar Gift? Everything. English isn't my first language so the use of simple and everyday words really made this book easy to read for me. I love the way the book is set in modern times. Mentioning of social media like facebook and youtube made me feel like at home. The fact that Ross was just an ordinary kid.
I can't wait to read "The Hidden Gift".
February 18, 2016
This was a really adventure and action fuelled book with funny moments mixed with quite scary parts. I love anything to do with telekinesis which was the reason I picked this up and whilst it really was great, the plot, the action, I almost didn't read it because of the main character, Ross. He was rude, self obsessed, obnoxious, thought he was the world and more and so big headed. His humour was so frustrating and the way he couldn't speak normally without some annoying quip. I continued reading hoping he would maybe change as it went on but no he stayed the same. Luckily the action and plot were fantastic and I read the whole thing pretty quickly. The action was exciting (though I felt he should have destroyed the enemy not who did) I also didn't like how it kept changing tense, it's a first person book but kept going to the third person which was frustrating.
Those are my only complaints however and just my personal opinion, I thoroughly enjoyed the book, just not the main character. I read a wide range of books for different ages but maybe this was more for younger readers, 12-14
Those are my only complaints however and just my personal opinion, I thoroughly enjoyed the book, just not the main character. I read a wide range of books for different ages but maybe this was more for younger readers, 12-14
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 13, 2016
‘Million Dollar Gift’ is a fast-paced, humour-filled Science-Fiction novel about a boy with superhuman powers.
No, really; what more could you want?
Although it's a long book, which to me usually suggests a boringly drawn-out story, it's really a rather quick read because of the engaging, unpretentious narrative and the constant moving forward of the plot.
I really liked the way the author chose to reveal a lot of secrets and feed the reader information - it's fun and quite original.
Overall, I enjoyed this book a lot for the most part - but I did feel the author's love for a laugh got in the way of what could have been great 'serious' scenes, and some characters were so common I could almost smell the fumes of recyclement that clung to them.
Thanks to Lovereading4kids for providing me with a review copy.
You can see my review, and others, here
No, really; what more could you want?
Although it's a long book, which to me usually suggests a boringly drawn-out story, it's really a rather quick read because of the engaging, unpretentious narrative and the constant moving forward of the plot.
I really liked the way the author chose to reveal a lot of secrets and feed the reader information - it's fun and quite original.
Overall, I enjoyed this book a lot for the most part - but I did feel the author's love for a laugh got in the way of what could have been great 'serious' scenes, and some characters were so common I could almost smell the fumes of recyclement that clung to them.
Thanks to Lovereading4kids for providing me with a review copy.
You can see my review, and others, here
April 2, 2013
This review was first published on - my blog
Somer's book has a sleek cover and a table of contents with chapter names and not just chapter numbers. That may seem like a nerdy thing to say, but it is true. The formatting of this book is beautiful. But, O'Brien Press books always have great formatting. It's easy to see if you'd like this book just by the table of contents. Some chapter headings: Running out of time. Skeleton in the closet. Instant fame. Duel. Funeral for a friend.
And there is even a telephone transcript smack bang in the middle of the book! Did I mention the use of social media, loves it!
This book is for the brave of heart, with an adventurous spirit and a techie savvy mind. Action punches Million Dollar Gift forwards. and on-wards through dollars, gifts and fortune. I could picture a younger mainly male audience reading this book.
Somer's book has a sleek cover and a table of contents with chapter names and not just chapter numbers. That may seem like a nerdy thing to say, but it is true. The formatting of this book is beautiful. But, O'Brien Press books always have great formatting. It's easy to see if you'd like this book just by the table of contents. Some chapter headings: Running out of time. Skeleton in the closet. Instant fame. Duel. Funeral for a friend.
And there is even a telephone transcript smack bang in the middle of the book! Did I mention the use of social media, loves it!
This book is for the brave of heart, with an adventurous spirit and a techie savvy mind. Action punches Million Dollar Gift forwards. and on-wards through dollars, gifts and fortune. I could picture a younger mainly male audience reading this book.
August 10, 2015
A long book but none the less a quick read due to it being pretty fast paced and easy to read.
All in all a very good book, it didn't necessarily floor me with it's brilliance but I thoroughly enjoyed it.
All in all a very good book, it didn't necessarily floor me with it's brilliance but I thoroughly enjoyed it.
May 18, 2013
best book ever could not put it down! wonderful new author!!!
Read
October 10, 2013Amazing book. I recommend it!
August 27, 2015
Odlično. plus pet zvezdic
January 13, 2016
Very touching and awesome book. Related to superhuman gifts.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews