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The Bestowed: A Dark Manifest
An ambitious archer. An anxious healer. A desperate thief.
Isaac is Bestowed, chosen by Nature as a leader and protector, only he lives in Talen, far away from anyone to lead or protect. He yearns to join the heroic group of fighters who protect the world from untold dangers, the Paladins of Valoria. Forget sky-high qualifications and a will of iron—the biggest hurdle for Isaac’s dream is his protective father. Until Isaac finds himself rescuing a giant bear from an onslaught of enchanted arrows.
Isaac’s world is turned upside down when he learns the truth about who his parents are, his mother’s death, and a re-emerging evil who wants him specifically.
Can Isaac survive to become the hero he’s always dreamed of being? Or will evil forces stop him before he and his friends even begin?Book one in the YA Fantasy The Bestowed
This book hits the sweet spot between Rangers Apprentice and Eragon. Also for readers of Jennifer Nielsen and Pedro Urvi.
Great to read with your teens and tweens. No profanity. No explicit content. Just adventure and Narnia-level violence.
Isaac is Bestowed, chosen by Nature as a leader and protector, only he lives in Talen, far away from anyone to lead or protect. He yearns to join the heroic group of fighters who protect the world from untold dangers, the Paladins of Valoria. Forget sky-high qualifications and a will of iron—the biggest hurdle for Isaac’s dream is his protective father. Until Isaac finds himself rescuing a giant bear from an onslaught of enchanted arrows.
Isaac’s world is turned upside down when he learns the truth about who his parents are, his mother’s death, and a re-emerging evil who wants him specifically.
Can Isaac survive to become the hero he’s always dreamed of being? Or will evil forces stop him before he and his friends even begin?Book one in the YA Fantasy The Bestowed
This book hits the sweet spot between Rangers Apprentice and Eragon. Also for readers of Jennifer Nielsen and Pedro Urvi.
Great to read with your teens and tweens. No profanity. No explicit content. Just adventure and Narnia-level violence.
- GenresFantasy
333 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 23, 2025
8 people are currently reading
1250 people want to read
About the author
C. Ryan Crockett
3 books15 followersIn my childhood cul-de-sac in Utah, I was known as the 'singing lawnmower man'. I am now working on changing that perception to the 'singing storywriter man'. I double knot the twenty dollar hiking boots I excuse for day shoes, and have a phobia of blue tongues (no really, blue raspberry jolly ranchers are the death of me). I teach high school Spanish and am grateful for each day I get with my students. I love my wife and four children and am excited to fill the world with stories I can someday listen to with them.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
June 6, 2025
I am really impressed that this is a debut novel. The descriptions of the world are done really well. I really liked the supporting cast here who all make meaningful and interesting decisions. I was also very impressed with the action scenes in this book. These scenes were easy to follow and didn’t become graphic. The magic system is also fun and different that I enjoyed seeing used in interesting ways. I also need to mention that I listened to the audio version of the book and the narrator did a fantastic job! When it comes to my criticisms, there are situations that are explained as “Natures Will” that seemed a bit convenient. I also hope that there are more explanations about certain other abilities in the world and how they work. I’m excited to read the sequel to have my questions answered and will definitely be recommending this one!
December 30, 2025
I remember reading "Eragon" when it first came out, and feeling of being pulled in with the magic and the characters and the story. "The Bestowed" elicited in me very similar feelings as I felt with "Eragon" all those years ago - the world feels new, the magic is intriguing, and the story is interesting. I loved that the story was completely clean - I'd feel completely comfortable with my children reading it. In addition, the audiobook narrator was very talented and added much to the storytelling experience with great character accents! I'm excited to read what happens in the next book!
July 9, 2025
I really enjoyed this book! I loved the world-building - the author really brings things to life through his writing and it was fun to jump into the adventure. The magic system with characters being bestowed with special abilities is really cool and explained well. I’m excited to read the next book!
May 23, 2025
I enjoyed this book so much! It was a fun and engaging story with a great world. The characters were done very well, and I can’t wait to see what is in store for Vera and Isaac. It has some great fight scenes that would thrill any teen or adult.
August 30, 2025
Isaac's father doesn't want him to run off to be a paladin. He just wants to keep him safe. Unfortunately, like most sons, that's the last thing Isaac wants. Especially since Isaac is Bestowed, gifted by the gods with a hawk manifest to be a protector of the realm. When an old friend of his father's arrives bearing ill tidings, Isaac and his childhood friend, gifted with healing, and thrust out on an adventure full of danger and discovery.
I enjoyed this greatly - good action, solid characters, and a fantasy vibe like the books I grew up reading. This isn't kings and princes, this is farmers and street thieves making their way through a well-imagined world. It ended rather suddenly for me, but I look forward to more ... and will probably circle back and do the audiobook with my 13 year old who loves fantasy books. I could see this being the next series he deep dives into.
I enjoyed this greatly - good action, solid characters, and a fantasy vibe like the books I grew up reading. This isn't kings and princes, this is farmers and street thieves making their way through a well-imagined world. It ended rather suddenly for me, but I look forward to more ... and will probably circle back and do the audiobook with my 13 year old who loves fantasy books. I could see this being the next series he deep dives into.
May 24, 2025
Such a great read!! Intriguing, adventurous, fun, exciting, creative, with a touch of romance :) Clean for younger audiences, and never dull for an adult! A definite recommend.
July 5, 2025
In this world, certain individuals are given gifts by Nature--there are Luminants (I think that's what it is, forgive me if I am not remembering the word correctly) that are able to heal using the power of sunlight. My son referred to them as Solar Panel Doctors. They can take in the energy from the sun and keep a small store for themselves, but they can not heal others if the sun is down.
Then there are Manifests-- these are people who are given an animal form. It is not a separate entity, like a familiar, but an actual part of the person--like their soul is split into two beings. These can come in many different animal forms, those being mentioned ranging from a rat to a grizzly bear, but Isaac, the MC, has a hawk like his parents before him.
The third bestowal is the Cragmasons. They are able to control various elements, such as wind, fire, etc, but they must be in contact with their specific keystone in order to do so. Keystones vary among cragmasons, but appear to be able to be any type of gemstone.
While Nature bestows these gifts on certain people to help others, there also has to be a balance in Nature, so it is only natural that occasionally some Bestowed end up using their gifts for evil. Unfortunately for Isaac and his father, the same men who caused havoc 15 years ago when Isaac was a baby, appear to be stirring up trouble again. When Isaac's father goes on a journey to try to sort things out and talk to the king, their small village is attacked, and Isaac and his best friend Vera, a Luminant, go on the run to try to lure the danger away from their innocent friends and warn the king of the traitorous actions being taken by the twisted Bestowed. The hunter is becoming the hunted, and he has no idea why they want him so badly.
I absolutely LOVED this story, though my heart still hurts from some of the losses. Not all of them are confirmed though, so there is hope. 🤞🏻 The idea of having an animal form that is a part of you, not just that you control, but is actually a part of your being, is sooooooo cool to me. And I love the little glowy fish!!!! (iykyk). I can't wait to get to the next book to see if they are able to catch up with some connections they were forced to leave behind when they had to quickly flee the city thanks to a little street rat that I kept picturing as Aladdin, and see where their journey takes them. It always makes me happy when I find a good book that my son can listen to with me, and this one was right up his alley as well. The narration was very well done, and the story was intense, but not gory or graphic, and it was engaging enough for a 7yo with the attention span of a goldfish.
Then there are Manifests-- these are people who are given an animal form. It is not a separate entity, like a familiar, but an actual part of the person--like their soul is split into two beings. These can come in many different animal forms, those being mentioned ranging from a rat to a grizzly bear, but Isaac, the MC, has a hawk like his parents before him.
The third bestowal is the Cragmasons. They are able to control various elements, such as wind, fire, etc, but they must be in contact with their specific keystone in order to do so. Keystones vary among cragmasons, but appear to be able to be any type of gemstone.
While Nature bestows these gifts on certain people to help others, there also has to be a balance in Nature, so it is only natural that occasionally some Bestowed end up using their gifts for evil. Unfortunately for Isaac and his father, the same men who caused havoc 15 years ago when Isaac was a baby, appear to be stirring up trouble again. When Isaac's father goes on a journey to try to sort things out and talk to the king, their small village is attacked, and Isaac and his best friend Vera, a Luminant, go on the run to try to lure the danger away from their innocent friends and warn the king of the traitorous actions being taken by the twisted Bestowed. The hunter is becoming the hunted, and he has no idea why they want him so badly.
I absolutely LOVED this story, though my heart still hurts from some of the losses. Not all of them are confirmed though, so there is hope. 🤞🏻 The idea of having an animal form that is a part of you, not just that you control, but is actually a part of your being, is sooooooo cool to me. And I love the little glowy fish!!!! (iykyk). I can't wait to get to the next book to see if they are able to catch up with some connections they were forced to leave behind when they had to quickly flee the city thanks to a little street rat that I kept picturing as Aladdin, and see where their journey takes them. It always makes me happy when I find a good book that my son can listen to with me, and this one was right up his alley as well. The narration was very well done, and the story was intense, but not gory or graphic, and it was engaging enough for a 7yo with the attention span of a goldfish.
June 29, 2025
This is the debut of an Indie author this year, and I can tell you that I was pleasantly surprised and enjoyed the ride, and I am already looking towards reading the second book (which is already out, so I might get on it soon!)
This book presents what I consider a very classical fantasy adventure, but with a really unique soft magic system which I really found enjoyable, without spoiling much, I really enjoyed how simple things like healing was actually deeper than just magic ✨, and while I wasn't too much into the Bestowal at the beginning, it quickly grew on me.
I enjoyed many characters feeling quite realistic, with clear mistakes and ways of thinking. All in all I am looking towards following the rest of the story
September 11, 2025
The first third was a bit of a slog—not much going on and too many perspective shifts and time skips. It started getting good after that. The end feels a bit abrupt, too, but I know that the first and second book were written together. There were a lot of characters and some magic that offered variety—I am enjoying getting to know this world now that I’m in the adventure. Some of the best writing was from a side character’s POV.
Gonna go see what happens next. I think it’s going to get good from here😊
Gonna go see what happens next. I think it’s going to get good from here😊
July 29, 2025
This is an exciting book from a new author, C. Ryan Crockett. His writing is beautiful and really pulls you into his story. You care about his characters and the obstacles that they face and look forward to the continuation and resolution in future books. The best kind of book! And the best kind of fantasy!
I'm currently reading the 2nd book and I know he's started the 3rd book as well. I'm excited for the story to continue!
I'm currently reading the 2nd book and I know he's started the 3rd book as well. I'm excited for the story to continue!
January 6, 2026
Took me awhile but here we go…
This book is great for a preteen wanting to start a nice fantasy series. Some moments I wished could have ended differently. Wasn’t a big fan of Ace but Isaac was a good character to root for. He struggles at moments to make the right choices but always sees what he should do compared to what he thinks he should do. This was a good read and I am interested to see what happens in the end.
This book is great for a preteen wanting to start a nice fantasy series. Some moments I wished could have ended differently. Wasn’t a big fan of Ace but Isaac was a good character to root for. He struggles at moments to make the right choices but always sees what he should do compared to what he thinks he should do. This was a good read and I am interested to see what happens in the end.
May 31, 2025
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It’s an engaging read that gives you a sense that something bigger is brewing under the surface as it explores the weight of responsibility and choice. The violence is serious enough to feel meaningful without ever going over the top. The Bestowed blends action with meaning, pulling you deeper with every chapter.
September 13, 2025
I was a bit skeptical when I came across this book series, but was immediately surprised by how captivating the story is. Ever since I first finished the inheritance cycle many years ago, I've been looking for a similarly engaging fantasy novel and this absolutely filled that spot. I'm excited for book 2 and hope the third will be released soon. Highly recommend this
November 5, 2025
My only complaint is that I don't have the next book in the series!! these characters are so fun and I absolutely need to get the rest of the series so I can see if they can finally achieve their goal. the book did end in an odd place with a lot of loose strings but other than that it was a great read!
May 28, 2025
Interesting magic concept, good characters, some surprises and lots of questions. The audiobook reader has great voices. I wish it was longer, felt like a big cliff hanger, so I’m excited for the next one!
December 1, 2025
I absolutely love this book! I listened to the whole second book in one day! It kept my attention the whole time. It was clean and filled with movement, excitement, and some deep thoughts. I can’t wait to listen to the next one!!
May 24, 2025
This is a really fun fantasy book with interesting magic systems and great characters. I enjoyed this book and the short story in the save universe.
December 17, 2025
Really unique story that was a lot of fun to read.
November 12, 2025
An Instant Classic & Great Introduction to a Delightful Fantasy Series!!
This series is an instant favorite for me in the modern fantasy landscape. Its perfect for teens, families, and anyone who loves traditional but innovative world-building.
What immediately sets this series apart for me is the power system (or magic system). It feels genuinely fresh and unique, seamlessly integrated into an imaginative world- a world that feels like I've always been a part of, you know? The only other book series I've felt that way about the world is Harry Potter. It proves to me that the author clearly poured incredible detail into it.
Upon my first read, I would have given it 4 stars, but having now read books 2 and 3 (which just get better and better!!), I now fully appreciate how carefully this first book is constructed. While the pacing is initially a bit slower, I now see it as a deliberate, delightful introduction, which is essential for the careful character development you'll grow to love. On a second read, I realized how much foundation the author lays here that pays off later.
I will admit: the ending of Book 1 feels abrupt. But this is intentional, a clear sign the author is building a sweeping, growing story arc rather than rushing to provide a neat, quick "happy ending."
My strongest recommendation to remedy that is to read book two! Read them back-to-back, because once you’re invested in this story and its characters, you won’t want to stop. (Thus I'm re-reading the series again while waiting for book 4, haha!). It only gets better from here!
This series is an instant favorite for me in the modern fantasy landscape. Its perfect for teens, families, and anyone who loves traditional but innovative world-building.
What immediately sets this series apart for me is the power system (or magic system). It feels genuinely fresh and unique, seamlessly integrated into an imaginative world- a world that feels like I've always been a part of, you know? The only other book series I've felt that way about the world is Harry Potter. It proves to me that the author clearly poured incredible detail into it.
Upon my first read, I would have given it 4 stars, but having now read books 2 and 3 (which just get better and better!!), I now fully appreciate how carefully this first book is constructed. While the pacing is initially a bit slower, I now see it as a deliberate, delightful introduction, which is essential for the careful character development you'll grow to love. On a second read, I realized how much foundation the author lays here that pays off later.
I will admit: the ending of Book 1 feels abrupt. But this is intentional, a clear sign the author is building a sweeping, growing story arc rather than rushing to provide a neat, quick "happy ending."
My strongest recommendation to remedy that is to read book two! Read them back-to-back, because once you’re invested in this story and its characters, you won’t want to stop. (Thus I'm re-reading the series again while waiting for book 4, haha!). It only gets better from here!
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews