“Healers” is the third in a series of stories featuring the Hyllis family who tend to inherit “talents.” The stories are set after a plague induced apocalypse which resulted in the collapse of civilization and reduced mankind back to iron and horsepower. Eva Hyllis and her ancestors became healers because they could feel the insides of their patients with their talents. This helps them diagnose the underlying causes of many illnesses. Having made a diagnosis, sometimes they can do something, but often they cannot. However, Eva’s children inherit telekinetic and teleportation talents. Telekinetic pressure can stop bleeding and teleportation can remove stones and atherosclerotic plaque. As time goes on they find more and more medical conditions that their talents allow them to treat. Then they enter a kingdom where practicing the art of healing is forbidden. When patients come to Eva in hopes of a cure, she finds herself unable to refuse them merely because the law demands that she should. Treating patients brings her into conflict with a powerful king. Imprisoned and enslaved, is there any way she and her family can win her freedom?
I was born on the island of Cyprus where my dad was employed as a mining engineer. We moved to the Philippines (more mining) when I was three and then to Arizona when I was 9. I went to med school at the University of Arizona and did a residency in Orthopaedics at the University of Kansas. I taught Orthopaedic Surgery at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill until I retired in 2017.
I've always loved science fiction and it's been great fun getting to write some. I also like music and have a little home recording studio. You can read more, listen to some music and look at some of my art, at http://laury.dahners.com/ if you like.
If you want to contact me, or be put on my email list to be notified when new books come out, just email me at ldahners@gmail.com
The book started quite well, however just over a quarter of the way through it became clear where this story was going. By the time the inevitable finally arrived I had become slightly annoyed the main characters were doing nothing to mitigate the probable outcome. However, it was still an exciting conclusion to the book.
The author has continued to grow the characters and develop them into unique characters. The world building is good and the use of the characters powers are well done. Overall it was fun to read.
This is the third book in a continuing series. In order to understand this book you need to read the preceding ones. Though the story continues in the next book, the narrative ends at a natural break so there is no real cliffhanger.
After defeating the raiders the caravan needs to move on. One of the girls being held by the raiders has attached herself to Daussie because she was part of the rescue effort to free her. All her family are dead and it seems she’s the only girl with nowhere else to go. When Eva discovers that she is in fact a distant relative of Daum they decide to take her with them when the caravan leaves. With an extra mouth to feed, Eva and Daum are a little worried because they’ve not yet settled in to making money properly but they can’t leave Kazy behind. It turns out to be good they have an extra pair of hands because Eva’s good tavern food is a major hit amongst not only the caravan but also the towns where they stop. However, Eva’s first love is healing, even when it can cause trouble.
This book focuses on the healing side of things for the family, instead of the killing side of things, though there are still some instances of violence. On the whole both Tarc and Daussie are having a crisis of conscience regarding using their skills to harm rather than to heal. The narrative focuses on the siblings learning how to apply their skills to different ways of healing based on their knowledge of the mechanics of the disease or injury. They are creative and innovative in their use of their unique talents and the people they encounter are grateful to healed of illness that should have no cure.
There is also a focus on Eva and how her principles and skills have set the pattern for how her children view the world. In previous books some resentment on Tarc’s part to being forced to learn useless knowledge but in this book he starts to understand that the more knowledge he has the better the chance he can help people. It also means he finds more non-lethal ways to resolve physical conflicts.
Eva’s principles get a good workout in this book, but it’s her children that provide a way to keep doing what she loves, because she can’t turn away someone who is sick.
This series continues to intrigue and entertain, though there are some aspects that are dark, they aren’t dwelt upon. The characters continue to really shine in this series and they are the driving force for the plot. Both Tarc and Daussie grow up considerably in this book, especially Tarc who really seems to grow in confidence in who he is and what he stands for. He learns to make choices he is comfortable with rather than reacting all the time. He learns enough about his unique skill set to allow him the freedom to make those choices.
Dahners, Laurence E. Healers. Hyllis Family No. 3. Kindle, 2015. One way to structure a story is to set the characters a difficult problem, give them some unlikely tools, and watch them solve it. Call it the MacGyver model. In Healers, the problem for the Hyllis family is to use their TK and other paranormal talents to practice medicine in a postapocalyptic world where civilization has been reduced to a group of badly ruled city states with iron-age technology. The caravan in which the Hyllis family has been traveling has stopped in a town run by a despot who is quite willing to execute anyone claiming medical expertise, because he assumes they are all scam artists. It does not take long for the family matriarch with her treat-everybody ethic to find herself in the hoosegow. To get her out and treat some of the deserving sick and injured requires a little espionage, some martial arts, some sleight of hand, a clever ruse, and a few old medical texts. The series continues to be inventive and fun. 4 stars.
A captivating saga that reveals its depth on multiple readings, this science fiction series offers a compelling narrative set in a post-apocalyptic world. The story begins with a devastating genetic plague that decimates global populations, then unfolds centuries later, focusing on the remarkable Hyliss family. Navigating a low-technology landscape of horse-drawn transportation and lawless brigands, the family possesses extraordinary abilities that set them apart in a challenging era of uncertain leadership. For readers intrigued by the premise, "Telekinesis" serves as an excellent entry point into this richly imagined world. Highly recommended for those seeking an immersive and thought-provoking reading experience.
An addictive and absolutely enjoyable series!!!!!!
Congratulations to Lawrence Dahners for this amazing series. It’s hard to find such an interesting and exciting author who not only writes intelligently but also provides top rated plots, characters and excitement in the stories. I’m really looking forward to the next book.
I thought this was the best book in this series so far. I'm glad I stuck with the series during some of the slower parts of the earlier books. I now realize that a lot of world building and rule making is needed for a series this long and that's what was going on during some of those slower parts. I highly recommend the audiobook versions which are excellent 👍
As our family of heroes continues their jpurney with the carvan they discover more use of there talents and face nee challages. The book reminded me of a western with the caravan, bandits and corrupt townsships with bad sherifs or kings in this case and it's durect justice. I enjoy the story and the world and will continue the series
Just like good Chinese food this leaves me wanting more half an hour later. I've read all three of these brilliantly different books and enjoyed every line. All I can say is more please.
I love Laurence Dahners writing. This book is every bit as good as all the others. His characters are like old friends. His science is spot on. I find myself wishing this world existed. Or at least the good parts. Fortunately for me, Mr Dahners is a prolific writer.
Very engaging, the author has thought out his world environment and made it consistent. The heroes have certain abilities but the abilities are so slight that the characters must think how to use them. I would recommend binge reading the entire series. I did.
The story kept me fascinated all the way through. Death to tyrants, bullies and most government employees. If only we could. How to make it happen. You know, democrats would not want our firearms so much unless they have something really bad planned for us.
The mixture of medieval life style, telekinetic abilities, and a PAW, makes an interesting read. And the expert medical knowledge of the author gives a very authentic touch
I've given each of the first 3 books 4 stars each. Impressed with writing, characters, and world building. Will read the rest of the series and found a new favorite author.
I enjoy the story, just a little off put by how much robbery, murder & rape seems to be a part of every book, I suppose without the threat of Bandits etc. there would be little action in the books.
I started reading Vazz, from this author and have went back and read it twice , I love hard sci-fi. Thought i would look into his other books and was captivated. He is just really a very good author you can really relate to the characters. I will now have to read all his books.
So 3 books in 2 days . I just couldn’t stop reading . If Laurence keeps writing like this I’m a fan for life . The story line has most of the aspects I like in a book. Action , suspense, and more. Read book one and be prepared to really enjoy a good book.
As usual this was a great book and fairly well edited. I can't wait to read the next chapter in this series. Good plots that build with the characters.