Gifted

The Hayven #1

by J.A. George

There is no chosen one in this story.

Avery Gray was just in the wrong place at the wrong time and happened to make a decision that altered her future forever. It happens to all of us every day.

Avery is a size twelve university student with a penchant for dry humour, and she’s as normal as they come. Up until now, the biggest choice she’s had to make was glasses or contacts? At the moment, it’s stay and save, or leave and be saved.

Allow me to explain. One rainy afternoon, Avery had to make a choice: go through the alleyway or around it. Two possible options. One would have had her future continue on as planned, the other would ensure that her future never remained the same again. She unknowingly went with the latter.

But change is not always bad. Avery meets Theodore-James Connors, an enigmatic young man who takes her to Hayven, a city separated from the rest of the world, where only gifters – ordinary people with extra-ordinary gifts – can go. She soon finds herself in a close-knit group of friends she’d never have imagined herself in. Friends who are diverse in every possible way, from their ethnic backgrounds, to their personalities, from their gifts, to their life stories. Friends who make her laugh, who make her cry, who make her think and who make her…her.

However, change is not always good. The beautiful, golden city of Hayven has its dark side – Cliders. Gifters turned rogue, aka, Cliders are determined to aid fallen Clider, Madrina, return to rule Hayven. They will stop at nothing to make that happen, including harming those Ava has grown to love.

Again, Ava is faced with a choice: spend her days finding a way to inhibit Madrina’s return, or walk away. After all, she isn’t the chosen one. Yet, there exists a third option – rig the future itself and make it work for her.

Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult, Romance, Magic, Paranormal

339 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 10, 2015

About the author

GIFTED: THE HAYVEN SERIES.

Reviews

[Ashleigh (a frolic through fiction) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review originally posted on A Frolic Through Fiction (book blog): https://afrolicthroughfiction.wordpre...

*I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review*

Now, I’m going to be frank – yes this does sound like a stereotypical fantasy story where the main character suddenly discovers they’re not like everyone else and BOOM the journey begins.

But I’m also going to be honest (as always) – I love those sort of stories. I don’t care how many times it’s been done, if I can read another version that’s different enough from the rest of them, I’ll love it!

And let me tell you, I really liked how this book handled the trope.

I always think that when a character is told they’re “different” or “part of something much bigger”, they always believe it a bit too quickly. I mean, if someone told me that, it’d take me months and a whole lot of proof before I’d start believing them. And that’s exactly what I loved about this book! Everything you learn from the synopsis happens at the very beginning of the book, and the rest is basically our main character – Ava – trying to come to terms with what happened and why.

I love the idea of this world. I immediately wanted to know more about it. How the community thrived. If there were any laws or rules to how things worked. And gradually, you do get to know. You discover the world along with Ava, seeing everything through her eyes and feeling like they’re your own. You get to see how she tries to balance this new world and her friends, all while studying at University. And I really enjoyed the fact that University was one of the settings of this book. I don’t see that often.

But I do have to say what made this book so addictive to me was the characters. There’s such an eclectic cast. Discovering everyone’s personalities and seeing how much they range was just perfect for me. Though I did find the relationship developments a bit sudden. That might be because it’s such a short book, and the time frame does take place over a fair few months. But I remember at one point thinking “woah well that was sudden” when seeing how the relationships shifted through the book.

I became engaged with this story so quickly . I adored learning about the gifts people had. It reminded me of X-men in that way. The plot to me was addictive. Just reading about a messy situation that needs to be untangled gets to me. I almost go into Sherlock Holmes mode and try to figure everything out before it’s revealed (which doesn’t happen often). And I actually have predictions for this book! I never usually pick up on little details enough to guess what’ll happen, but with this book it was hard not to. I was that invested in it!

“Just think, if the word “impossible” had never been introduced to the English language… well, I think it’s fair to say humans would have achieved a lot more than we have today.”

Though there’s hardly any action in this book, it’s by no means boring. There’s so much to learn about the world and the people living in the story, I had no problem continually flipping through the pages. Plus I feel like if there was any more action in it, the whole story would’ve felt rushed with the book being quite short. You can definitely tell this is just the beginning of the series. And since there’s more to come, I’m very much looking forward to diving into this world once again.

[Kristy · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF at 130 pages.

I've been putting of this review for so long. woops

This story started off so strong, but then everything just fell.. flat.

I was really excited to read this because the whole concept sounded so amazing!

A ordinary university student is gifted with an extraordinary ability, and discovers a whole world existing beside our own that's only accessible to others like her. With this Gift, she is expected to protect this world from those who want to take over.

Caught in a freak storm, Avery 'Ava' Grey is on her way to meet a friend when she hears a scream. Discovering that the source of the scream came from within Hayven Books, the local bookshop, she heads inside to discover an elderly woman bleeding out on the ground. Unable to save the woman, Ava blacks out and later awakens in hospital and discovers that she can hear the thoughts of those around her.

Diving back into her normal life is not as easy as it sounds, especially when you can hear everyone's private thoughts, and you learn more about your friends than you initially thought you knew.

Determined to work out what's happening to her, and if there's a way for it to stop, she heads back to the bookstore where it all began, to try and find a book that might help her out. Instead of a book, she finds a young man named Theo, to whom there is more than meets the eye. He will be the answer to all of her questions, and the ticket to a whole new life.

Sounds really interesting, right?

Well I'm sorry to be the one to burst your bubble, but all of the above really only played a minuscule part in the 130 pages that I read before abandoning ship. Instead of getting a fantasy adventure that explored a whole new and interesting world, I was given a contemporary drama with only faint traces of a fantasy element, and little else.

This novel went into great and agonising detail of the friendship and relationship dramas of both Ava and Theo's social groups. I honestly couldn't care less about this side of the story, and the sheer quantity of all of this drama was a bigger turn-off than a hairy-chested Borat in his fluoro green mankini.

Not only did I have issues with this social drama, but I also had issues with Ava's body image issues. I understand that the author was probably going for an unconfident young woman, realising that she's more than just her body, but there was probably better ways of doing it.

My biggest issue is that she's listed in the blurb as a size twelve. I really don't understand why her clothing size needs to be used to give us a quick outline of what the book is about. And really, twelve is not big. If you think twelve is big, or chubby, or anything of the sort, then you and I need to sit down and have a very serious discussion.

Honestly, I just got so sick of hearing about her lack of confidence, and how, "Guys like him didn't fall for girls like me; they fell for girls like her." (yes, that is an actual line that was actually used)

Look, I'm all for having under-confident girls gaining confidence in themselves and their actions, but it should be done using a theme that's relevant to the story. Honestly, Ava could have had social anxiety or something, and perhaps hearing the thoughts that others had about her could have made her feel better (assuming they were good thoughts). If her power had been something physical (say, super-strength or speed), then hell yeah, make her chubby! I'd totally be supportive of that!

Okay, I'm going to stop my ranting and wrap this up.

I really wanted to enjoy this novel, but it was just not for me. It had so much potential, but the potential petered out rather swiftly, and it just couldn't hold my attention. I think this would be great for anyone wanting something fantasy, whilst not being all too difficult to follow. I guess it would be a great start for people who are dipping their feet into fantasy as a genre.

I want to thank J.A. George for sending me a copy of Gifted for review. I'm really sorry that I didn't enjoy this book like I wanted to. I see that a number of other people have really enjoyed it, and I wish you all the best for your future in publishing!

[Elaine - Splashes Into Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn’t want to put this book down - and I really need the next three books in this series asap, I want to know what happens! It was a riveting read with great characters, beautiful descriptive writing and a superb good v evil battle to be fought! It was easy to relate to the characters, especially the heroine, nineteen year old college student, Avery Gray (aka Ava).

One stormy afternoon, Ava was going to meet up with her best friend. She could feel someone watching her but only caught an indefinable glimpse of movement when she turned trying to substantiate that feeling. She risks taking a short cut to help her get out of the rain quicker - and away from her follower - but has no premonition of the consequences of this decision . . . she didn’t know she’d meet a local lady bookshop owner who had been attacked. She didn’t realise that lady would pass on an important message - and some very special gifts - to her that would change her life. She didn’t realise what would happen to the blood, that the lady would die and that Ava would now have a mystery to solve, new friends to make and a new world to save!

As Ava explores the new world she can access as a result of the old bookseller’s gifts she finds there are battles to be fought - but only after the enemies have been revealed. It is great to have an “ordinary” young lady as the heroine. Her interactions with her peers and others are believable and she is relatively independent, determined and strong willed. She is also caring, considerate and brave. What a great combination and a fantastic new fantasy series that I really look forward to reading more of!

This is the first book in this series and I found it enthralling. It has so many decisions being made with unforeseen consequences, new relationships being developed and plenty of action, mystery, paranormal powers and hints at romance. There are some hilarious moments in the story - for instance when Ava first starts hearing the thoughts of others (one of her powers) and considers if she’d going mad or not. I liked the range of gifts that the new people Ava meets in Hayven . . . makes you consider just what special gift you’d like to have for yourself! I recommend this to anyone who enjoys well crafted fantasy adventures with plenty of well developed characters, an incredible plot and is packed with action, mystery and suspense.

Thanks to the author, publishers and YABBT, too, for letting me read this in exchange for my honest review.

[Nikka | adventuresofnikka · Rating 3 out of 5]

I feel bad for people who didn't give this a chance and DNF-ed. Review soon!

[Jillian Quinn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Last week, I received a copy of GIFTED from the author in exchange for an honest review. I was in a major slump before I read this novel, and I’m so glad J.A. George gave me the opportunity to read such a unique story. The magical world of Hayven and the humans with supernatural powers is a concept that I can relate to as a YA fantasy writer. And once I opened the book, I found it hard to peel my fingers from the iPad because I had to know more about Hayven and how this world worked.

First, I want to talk about the characters…

Avery “Ava” Gray was in the wrong place at the wrong time. When she walks into Hayven Books to help an elderly woman, Sidra Calix, Ava later finds out that Sidra passed her unique ability to her, making her one of the “gifted.” Those that are “gifted” have supernatural abilities, like hearing thoughts, reading minds, teleportation, changing the weather, and manipulating fire to name a few. As far as a main character, I really like Ava because she’s the kind of character you can get inside her head and enjoy the story. Is she conflicted and confused? Of course. Who wouldn’t be if they started hearing people’s thoughts out of nowhere?

Click on the link to my Rant and Rave About Books blog to view the full review: https://rantandraveaboutbooks.com/201...

[Mikayla Gray · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was given a free copy of this book by the author in exchange for an honest review.

The story starts off well, after taking a shortcut home, ordinary girl Avery stumbles upon a dying old woman and learns that she is "Gifted"; someone with a magic power and the ability to flit between the real world and the magical world of Hayven. In Avery's case, her gift is the ability to read minds, as well as the ability given to her by the dying woman of being able to see the future. The opening is intriguing and well-written and Avery is a wonderful character, even if she does feel a little like she's trying to hard to be "relatable" (I don't really need to be told her dress size so many times, if at all to be honest!) and the seeds of the story are sown nicely.

Things get better once Theo (finally!) introduces Avery to her gift and the pair head to Hayven. Hayven is a beautifully described world. There's something magical about the idea of another land hidden beneath the surface, it's very much a Harry Potter vibe which I adore! The idea of people flitting in and out of this world in a flurry of coloured dots, unique to their personality, is vividly imaginative. Avery's "new" friends are a little one-dimensional. Each seems to have one defining characteristics; the mean girl, the womaniser, the standoffish one with a heart of gold, the guide, the one that's just there. Their powers are mentioned and demonstrated, but don't come into play much in the story. With so many characters to juggle though, it's hard to give page time to all of them. I hope they'll come into play more in the rest of the series.

The story did suffer from some pacing issues, and the first half drags a little bit. It's lovely to read about the world of Hayven and meet the characters but, plot-wise, not a lot happens besides some uneccesary conflict between Avery, love interest Theo and his mean-girl girlfriend Summer. There's a definite sense here that the author tried to get away from the insta-love cliche, but unfortunately, Avery and Theo's relationship does read very much insta-love. I just didn't see why she was so interested in him, especially with everything else going on around her, or why Theo didn't just come out with the truth about his relationshp with Summer. It's the kind of plot device that doesn't feel genuine, just of a way of generating conflict.

The crux of the story, the introduction of big bad Madrina and her followers, Cliders, happens very late in the book. As a result, they never come across as a credible threat. It's a really intriguing prospect, and the stories of Madrina's near takeover of Hayven sets her up as a great villain! So I was surprised to see that I was almost 60% through the book and hadn't seen much evidence of the plot the blurb above promises. It's a tricky one, because the first half of the book is so well-written and sets the world and characters so well, it's almost to the detriment of the actual plot.

I had to knock a star of my rating right off the bat for the simple fact that this book doesn't stand alone. It's the first in a series, so by all means end on a hook, but the story just sort of ... stops. It has a beginning, a middle, and - just when I was glancing nervously at the remaining page percentage on my kindle - no real end. It just stops. Just as it was getting going! It's a frustrating trend these days for YA books to end on not so much a cliffhanger as a dead end.

I'll definitely be reading the next book in the series, The Silver Orb, but I can't shake the feeling that this book feels like the set up for a story, not a story in itself. It's a shame, because this leaves a bad taste in my mouth right at the end of what had been a great read. I really did enjoy the story, and I'd recommend it to contemporary and fantasy YA fans alike, but I just felt that I didn't get the entirety of what I was promised by the blurb. And I'll have to read the next book in the series for that.

All in though, Gifted is a well written book with some fantastic world building and colourful characters, and if it had followed through a little bit further, dropping some early exposition and ramping up to a not too rushed climax, this review would have been raves. Still, this book has me hooked. Bring on the next!

Review originally posted at http://mikaylasbookshelf.blogspot.co....

[Caron · Rating 3 out of 5]

★||Actual Rating: 3.5 stars||★

I received this ebook from the author in exchange for an honest review.

This book starts out with a bit of mystery. Avery- who prefers to be called Ava- ended up having what you’d think of as a day filled with the worst luck ever. She witnesses someone die in a bookstore and while freaked, she can’t help but be curious because of the cryptic words the woman said before she passed. All this kickstarts some weird events and all roads lead to Hayven.

I was interested in this story because of what the synopsis promised. It promised me a book filled with action and wild & crazy adventures and I definitely wanted a part of that.

Ava, seemingly a normal person is anything but. After the old lady in the bookstore, strange things have been occurring. She can see colours around some people and hear voices of people talking when they’re mouths are not even moving. She chalks this up to be stress from the incident…until she meets Theo who clears up the air for her. She’s not crazy.

There is an evil lurking in the air and with Ava’s newly acquired Gifts, she and a group of people try to stop the future from being set in stone.

Characters: It took me a few chapters to get used to Ava. I don’t know what it was about her but I wasn’t taken with her from the get-go. She turned out to be a likeable character who’s narrative I enjoyed quite a bit.

Theo was introduced as this cocky mysterious guy but he was ‘different‘ and that made me want to know more about what made him tick. Also, he was our key to finding out more about the strange things that were happening so I was cool with him.

I loved the Hayven Group– as I’ve tended to call them. I thought they’d shun Ava and treat her as if she didn’t belong because technically, her gift was given to her and she wasn’t born in Hayven. I was glad when they welcomed her.

They say that the friends you make at college are going to be your lifelong friends…that is not true for The Huxton Group. Ava had a group of friends at university and from the get-go, I wasn’t a fan of them. They were good at acting close, but after a few conversations it was obvious that they’d rather be somewhere else than with each other…or maybe they just didn’t like Ava.

Likes: I loved the concept of this book. It was nothing new but what is anymore with there being so much of the same of everything. The way the author went about executing this is what made this story a good one. I liked the plot, definitely and this had a pretty great bunch of characters.

Dislikes: I was unsure about this book when I first started reading. I didn’t like it, but I didn’t dislike it so I didn’t know whether it for ‘for me’ or not. It was a bit unsettling but I finished the book so that’s clearly a thing of the past.

Overall Thoughts: I really liked the world that J.A. George created. As I said, no points really for originality but I liked the description of Hayven and the explanations of that world and it’s history. Definite points there. I was slightly confused about the ‘shifting’ ability (teleportation) as I envisioned shape-shifting, but I think the ‘moving from place to place’ was pretty unpredictable and I always like that in a book. The writing was very good and got me hooked enough to make me keep reading. I’m definitely interested in the next book.

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[dee ♡ · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book originally posted on The Bookish Khaleesi

*The author graciously Gifted me a copy of this novel in exchange of an honest review. This is no way affected my opinions.*
This book reminded me of X-Men mixed with Shatter Me. It's not your typical YA Paranormal, it's more Contemporary and I loved it for this reason alone. It's easy to get into, flows nicely, and very entertaining.

The story follows our MC, Avery Gray, but you must call her Ava. After an unexpected event happens in her life, Ava finds herself a part of a world she didn't know existed with a new ability that convinces her she is going insane. That is until she meets the adorable, sweet, Theo. Theo brings her to Hayven, she is anything but alone and insane. Hayven is city, not known to mortals, filled with those who are Gifted with unique talents and a cast of eclectic characters that you can't help but love.

What I really enjoyed with this book (and what kept me reading) were the characters. Each one was unique and had their own special color and personality. Ava, who is a size 12 and dealing with some insecurities, was so relatable to me! I love her so much. She is shown this new world and she doesn't just take it in and believe right away. She questions. She takes the time to learn and get to know everything slowly. Theo is sweet and an excellent, loyal friend to all who he loves. Baleigh is tough with spikes around the edges, but get her to let her walls down and this is a girl you want on your side. Now I love all the characters, but I have to say Baleigh is definitely my favorite. She doesn't put up with anyone's crap, but she will fight anyone who dares even look at one of her friends the wrong way. Seeing her relationship grow with Ava was definitely my part. Faye and Ollie are cute, shy little sweethearts. Lucas is our ladies man with an evident heart of gold. And you can't forget sweet little Peyton. All these characters shine their own light and it's so much fun getting to know them and learning all their special gifts.

The only characters I didn't like in this book were Ava's "mortal" friends. Toni was so selfish and was such a jerk to Ava when she clearly how more to deal with in her life than be bothered with Toni's melodramatic boy troubles. Her friends were all supportive in the beginning and I found it disappointing we didn't see much of them, but as the story went on I didn't want to see them anymore. I just wish they weren't as hard on her for feeling the way she did about another friend. What did they expect her to do? Play along even though she didn't feel the same way? Oh well.

Aside from great characters, this book has a pretty great world. I really liked the world building because it was nice and steady and I could easily visualize everything. How cool is it that you can attend an University filled with students who all have special gifts? Where can I sign up?

Overall, I really enjoyed this book. It was exactly what I needed to read and perfect for my mood. The pacing, the writing, and the backstory that didn't feel like a bunch of info-dumping for once. I devoured this book in two sittings and look forward to the next coming books in this series.

[Morgan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Full Review can be found at http://thegraduatedbookworm.blogspot.ca

First let me say thank you to J.A. George for sending me a copy of Gifted for an honest review. Let me also say that this was definitely hard to rate.

So starting off with the book, I found it to be kind of slow. There was a lot of description within the first couple hundred pages that almost didn't need to be added in there, that I found it hard at times to continue reading. (but I am so glad that I did!) There were of course certain parts where I felt like the characters didn't make much sense.

Moving on from that, I do have to say that as the story progressed, wow! Not only was there this awkward love triangle-ish shape going on, but there were a lot of parts where I thought it would go one way, and it never did! I got caught off guard with some of the twists and turns that happened in this novel and I LOVED IT! It honestly made the book so crazy, but in such a good way!

I really found it interesting to read about basically two worlds. There was the world that Ava was used to all her life (her normal world) and then there was the world of Hayven. Being able to immediately transport the way they do was so cool, and when there were certain scenes where they needed to move around, I found it to be intense!

Can we also just discuss this cliffhanger here! I mean COME ON! I was expecting there to be one, because it's part of a series, but seriously! Just as it gets to probably the most intense part, it literally just ends leaving you wanting more! I loved and hated it, because cliffhangers are so....

Overall this was a pretty good book! Although there were parts that I felt lacked, J. A. George pulled through and made the other half of this novel super! I seriously want to read book two right now, but unfortunately, Like everyone else, I have to wait... It was packed with so much emotion, the usual girl issues, and of course the lead man that everyone wants. Add in the fact that Ava has a gift, and must decide whether to leave it alone and go back to her mortal life, or to help her new found world, makes it that much more thrilling!

[Fatima · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gifted is the first book in the four-part Hayven Series


Avery Gray is a size 12 university student who hasn’t had to make any major decisions. Until now. When Avery walks into Hayven Books one rainy afternoon, this is the start of her journey. The world is no longer as Avery once knew it. A series of events leave Ava with a gift; an extraordinary gift allowing her access to the city of Hayven. Ava is astonished to find another world so unlike her own, and she meets an eclectic bunch of ‘Gifted’ people. But soon Ava is confronted by the looming threat of ‘Cliders’, Hayven’s Gifters gone rogue, and she must use her powers to save the day.


Firstly, I really liked the idea of an ordinary self-conscious girl becoming confident and finding that she does indeed have a place and important role in the world. It resonates with me a lot more than already-brave-heroines defeating the evil person and saving the day. So I was already intrigued when I read the synopsis to this book, because it sounded relatable.
I also found myself really empathising with Ava’s character. I’ve mentioned above that Ava’s character is size 12, and this obviously affects how she views herself and her self-esteem. How many of us can put our hands up and say we can relate to Katniss Everdeen or Lisbeth Salander? Probably not many. However, this doesn’t stop Ava from being strong-willed, independent and it certainly doesn’t stop her sticking to her resolve. Not to mention she doesn’t swoon for every man who walks her path, but more on that later.

Full review can be found here

[J C Steel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gifted is an intriguing read, and Avery's first-person storytelling will entice you into her life at a British university, complete with friends with bad taste in nightclubs and the cliques endemic to the lifestyle. The plausibility of J A George's characters makes the contrast with Avery's other life all the more compelling, as Avery's chance encounter with one of the secretive 'gifted' people submerges her willy-nillly in a hidden world of telepathy and fire-raisers, bringing its own dangers and its own set of friends.

The book offers a nice blend of action and personal drama, and while the YA romance is present, it doesn't hijack the real storyline, which is a refreshing change from many other books in the genre. The dating scene is humorously awkward, with a classic love triangle to keep the angst in play as Avery tries desperately to understand and control the fundamental changes in her life.

The book is clearly the first in a series; the build-up to the overarching plot is relatively slow in this first book, with the main focus on the characters and Avery's discovery of her gifts, and the ending of Gifted is a clear cliffhanger to the next book. Despite this, I enjoyed this story. It was technically sound, and the storytelling was entertaining and light-hearted, with the fictional and supernatural elements well blended in. Definitely a solid four stars.

Reviewed for Knockin' Books.

[abigail · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF at 24%I kept reading because I saw potential. I truly did. The writing, if not beautiful, serves its purpose, and George's imagination of Hayven is absolutely stunning! But 1/4 of the way in, and I couldn't give less of a shit about any of the characters. Plus, more insta-love? Really? Does the sappy, "his-face-is-so-beautiful", "I-was-just-immediately-attracted-to-him" stuff ever stop? A good, believable insta-love, I adore. But do insta-love badly, and my eyeballs start rolling out of my sockets. Also, what is this cliché plot? Girl walking somewhere, hears/sees weird thing, goes to investigate, gets randomly picked to become super special because why not? Hot boy knows all the secrets, hot boy tutors her, hot boy takes her places ... that plot is just not doing anything for me.

[Bookmafia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy

Age: 16+ ( really, the content is mild in nature the age is based off the complexity of writing and the maturity of certain portions of the story.)

Recommendation: Yes. I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a creative spin on fantasy that does not contain insta-love and centers around a truly average heroine.

Type: Series, this is book one of The Hayven Series.

Summary: +a heroine that is easy to relate to +a whisper of love to come + frightening antagonist +realistic dialogue -slow at times -cliffhanger +developed characters +Kindle Unlimited +descriptive world building but the author only reveals a little at a time.

Description:

There is no chosen one in this story.

Avery Gray was just in the wrong place at the wrong time and happened to make a decision that altered her future forever. It happens to all of us every day.

Avery is a size twelve university student with a penchant for dry humour, and she’s as normal as they come. Up until now, the biggest choice she’s had to make was glasses or contacts? At the moment, it’s stay and save, or leave and be saved.

Allow me to explain. One rainy afternoon, Avery had to make a choice: go through the alleyway or around it. Two possible options. One would have had her future continue on as planned, the other would ensure that her future never remained the same again. She unknowingly went with the latter.

But change is not always bad. Avery meets Theodore-James Connors, an enigmatic young man who takes her to Hayven, a city separated from the rest of the world, where only gifters – ordinary people with extra-ordinary gifts – can go. She soon finds herself in a close-knit group of friends she’d never have imagined herself in. Friends who are diverse in every possible way, from their ethnic backgrounds, to their personalities, from their gifts, to their life stories. Friends who make her laugh, who make her cry, who make her think and who make her…her.

However, change is not always good. The beautiful, golden city of Hayven has its dark side – Cliders. Gifters turned rogue, aka, Cliders are determined to aid fallen Clider, Madrina, return to rule Hayven. They will stop at nothing to make that happen, including harming those Ava has grown to love.

Again, Ava is faced with a choice: spend her days finding a way to inhibit Madrina’s return, or walk away. After all, she isn’t the chosen one. Yet, there exists a third option – rig the future itself and make it work for her.

Full Review:

When I was approached by the author and asked to review Gifted I was both excited and hesitant. The book description alludes to a heroine that isn’t special or unique, she wasn’t secretly hidden away from her magic and didn’t suddenly develop the gifts her mind had been suppressing, she is just as average as you or me and that really had me intrigued. The idea that a fantasy novel could be centered around a woman that has absolutely nothing supernatural about her, and that only after making the choice to help someone she doesn’t know, does she become spectacular is pretty epic in my book. ( See what I did there with book? ) So to answer the question I know you must have, yes, Avery is the heroine I was hoping for and no, J. A. George doesn’t let the reader down.

Gifted is the story of an average girl, taking a short cut to her destination she doesn’t normally take, and ending up with a little more than she bargained for. The thing I loved about this book is the timeline is somewhat realistic. Things in the real world take time. The author doesn’t just hand you everything all at once. She makes her heroine wait for her future to be revealed to her and the reader is also held hostage in a pseudo waiting game alongside her. I will say things did move a little slow in the beginning, but the story stayed consistent and maintained a slower but steady pace and by the fourth or fifth chapter I enjoyed the flow. There isn’t a huge rush to figure everything out all at once, our heroine takes things as they come.

This book offers a combination of a different and unique fantastical world, an endearing but often frustrating love interest, a girl caught between two worlds, and the alluring idea of an impending collapse of all things light and pure that a group of friends race against time to prevent. Theo, the tall, dark and handsome that unofficially took it upon himself to introduce Avery to all things Hayven, is mysterious but isn’t characterized by constant brooding and self loathing, he is a cute companion to the story line and doesn’t overpower the plot. I dig that. I am really excited about the next book to come out. The world building is easy to follow, I was able to understand how everything worked and could picture how it was described. I will definitely be waiting to see what happens between Ava and Theo. I am also interested to see where everyone stands once the lines of good and evil are drawn. I have a feeling some unexpected side switches are going to go down and I am pretty psyched about it.

I feel that if you are a fan of reading fantasy and multi-book series this is a good one to look into. Oh, and it is on the Kindle Unlimited list so that’s cool too.

Disclaimer: I obtained a free copy of this book from the author in exchange for a honest review. My opinions are of course my own and not swayed in any manner.

[Tina Soetzenberg · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was not what I expected, thankfully separating itself from the usual Young Adult fantasy books I’m used to reading. It has the illusion of something typical and yet it had something different within like a relatable lead and a wonderful story of friendship. Avery is not what one expects from a college student in books but exactly what we expect from a real life 19-year-old stumbling through life. All of this made for an easy and entertaining read.

DESCRIPTION – There is no chosen one in this story.

Avery Gray was just in the wrong place at the wrong time and happened to make a decision that altered her future forever. It happens to all of us every day.

Avery is a size twelve university student with a penchant for dry humour, and she’s as normal as they come. Up until now, the biggest choice she’s had to make was glasses or contacts? At the moment, it’s stay and save, or leave and be saved.

Allow me to explain. One rainy afternoon, Avery had to make a choice: go through the alleyway or around it. Two possible options. One would have had her future continue on as planned, the other would ensure that her future never remained the same again. She unknowingly went with the latter.

But change is not always bad. Avery meets Theodore-James Connors, an enigmatic young man who takes her to Hayven, a city separated from the rest of the world, where only gifters – ordinary people with extra-ordinary gifts – can go. She soon finds herself in a close-knit group of friends she’d never have imagined herself in. Friends who are diverse in every possible way, from their ethnic backgrounds, to their personalities, from their gifts, to their life stories. Friends who make her laugh, who make her cry, who make her think and who make her…her.

However, change is not always good. The beautiful, golden city of Hayven has its dark side – Cliders. Gifters turned rogue, aka, Cliders are determined to aid fallen Clider, Madrina, return to rule Hayven. They will stop at nothing to make that happen, including harming those Ava has grown to love.

Again, Ava is faced with a choice: spend her days finding a way to inhibit Madrina’s return, or walk away. After all, she isn’t the chosen one. Yet, there exists a third option – rig the future itself and make it work for her.

REVIEW – I have read quite a few YA books about dystopian worlds, secret worlds and different worlds all together. So because of my extensive reading career, I sometimes find myself going into a book with preconceived ideas. This is a habit I hate having but then there are times that a book exceeds expectation, making it a fun read instantly. This was the case with Gifted, the first book in the Hayven Series by J.A George.

The most appealing aspect of this book was Avery, our 19-year-old lead that’s currently studying at college. She’s everything a college student should be: stressed and a little insecure. But this is all natural and to add to her personality traits, the story never went into the love struck angle. Avery had a love interest named Theo, but she wasn’t completely overcome by him. This was maybe because Theo had a girlfriend but also I believe that Avery just wasn’t the type to completely fall head over heels for a guy instantly.

This book focused a lot on friendship and a lot of detail went into developing this beautiful world of Hayven. One could tell that the author really wanted to send the reader into that world and witness the little details that would create a more vivid image. It was stunningly orchestrated and I loved the imagination instilled into this book. The gifted people within Hayven were fun to read about and I was glad Avery made these new friends but adding so much new characters was a bit of a headache to remember. I wanted to learn more about the gifted but somehow I wanted to stay tuned into Avery’s friends in the real world as well. They sort of fizzled out of the story but I wish they could have been incorporated more, especially Toni.

The focus was also a lot about the characters and not the plot. The whole idea of a villain and Cliders seemed like a quick story but wasn’t fully explored. I always have this love for a good villain but I feel like I didn’t learn enough to really know about this Madrina. I am excited to learn more about her in future books. When I think about this part of the book, I really feel like it had the potential to be so much more if only Madrina were explored more.

Gifted wasn’t what I expected because teenage love wasn’t the main focus and Avery was simply amazing to read about. I loved all the detail and energy put into creating such a vivid image. Young Adult lovers of fantasy would enjoy this read. It starts off fast paced and dies down a bit but in the end, you’ll enjoy this great read.

[czai · Rating 3 out of 5]

this review is also posted at: the Blacksheep Project. I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.

* * *

I have no idea how to go around this book. It's wasn't bad. Yet it wasn't stellar.

{ 5 Reasons why Gifted is an 'okay' read for me }

the pace.
I don't know. At the beginning it was slow. Okay, the first chapter was intriguing but after that, it felt that things started laying low. It was not until 20% of the book that Hayven was finally introduced then I was bombarded with info about the world. I was like: why!? But I don't want you to turn away from this book. Let me just tell you that there's a nice shifting among the exploration of Hayven to the romance to the fight against the evil. How's that?

the romance.
At first I was annoyed. I don't know. I think that there was a focus on the romance (too much focus right in the beginning, like what happened to the intriguing world shifting ability, man?). But reading further, I ended up really shipping Ava and Theo. Just... why not? I actually found myself hating Summer and wishing she gets sent to the outer space and die. Now let me tell you this, the romance annoyed me in the beginning. That's because I thought it was taking over the book. It shifted for me because of how much both Ava and Theo grew in me.

the world.
Well this isn't exactly something I'd say I don't know because I liked it. I thought it was interesting and maybe something I'd even want to see for real. Anyway, I like the idea that gifts can be given or be acquired at birth, and that there are not identical gift. And the battle between good and evil? Right and wrong? It's mostly an 'okay' thing for me. I mean it was nice but generic. Here's another thing: I don't think there was any twist at all (if I missed it please tell me). For now.

the heroine.
Have I told you how awesome Ava's ability are? She can read people's thoughts AND she can know people's full names AND she can see the future. Okay, not always. For now. But she can see them in her dreams. Her humour is wow but she overthinks A LOT. Several chapters were probably filled with her thinking about something over and over and over. Over thinking about her gift. Over thinking about Theo. Over thinking about everything! But setting that aside, Ava is a determined heroine and she may have her flaws (like maybe forgetting her normal world friends, and obsessively overthinking about everything), she's still a heroine you'll root for.

the secondary characters.
They were okay for me. At first, I felt that their relationship with Ava was a bit forced. It just came out that way for me. But after a few chapters and a few more interaction, I ended up liking them especially Baleigh. She's the badass female of this book and I LOVE her! Theo's a sweet and nice guy. Ollie is the smart guy who's also super nice. Then there's Lucas who's probably more than what's being showed for now. The rest were just 'meh' for me but hopefully the next books will allow me to like them more :)

OVERALL, Gifted is a contemporary fantasy young adult novel that's a nice chill read. It's not your thrilling, action-pack, adventure fantasy story. It has an interesting world that sucked me in and would really love to happen for real (haha) but I wasn't hooked. But I don't know about you, friends. If you like contemporary fantasy, you can try this one. If you like reading books about characters with unusual ability, go ahead and try this. If you want books that involves fight between good and evil, check this one out. Not a highly recommended one from me, but definitely a good read. I'm really interested to see how this series will go.

[Flavia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was very excited when J.A. George approached me and asked if I would like to read and review her novel! The cover is what caught my eye first. The simple black background adorned with the varying coloured petals is very aesthetically pleasing, and it made me want to know more about the book. And more specifically, I wanted to know what the coloured petals signify!

I HAPPILY AGREED TO READ AND REVIEW GIFTED, AND IT HAS BEEN A JOY FROM THE VERY FIRST PAGE!

I'd like to mention that, the main character, Ava, is very relatable for us regular humans. While I do enjoy some books wherein the main character is great and brave and beautiful, I find that I have a difficult time placing myself in their shoes, because I myself am not great or brave or beautiful. This is not the case with Ava. While I am in no way hating on any particular body type, I found it quite refreshing to read about a main character who is curvy!

In addition, Ava is not extremely confident (which is also the case with the majority of us mortals), and she has some hidden insecurities about her body, as well as he looks. I would have liked to hear more about Ava’s past, particularly the events which have shaped her into the person she is in the present-tense within the book, but I am sure that more information on that will be revealed in the books to follow.

Ava and some of the other characters also really frustrated me at times! Rather than letting that affect my experience with the book though, I reminded myself that this just makes the characters feel more real. There is no person in existence who has never annoyed anyone at least once. Ava and the others feel all the more fleshed-out because of their poor decisions or shortcomings.

Regarding the romance plots within the novel, I would say that these were realistic as well. Things do not always fall perfectly into place. There is struggle and there are obstacles. There are good relationships, and bad relationships, those which should happen and never do, and those who do and never should have in the first place. J.A. George does a good job at keeping things real in this book, and I really appreciated that, because it made things unpredictable, and therefore more fun!

I found the various settings within the book to be quite enjoyable, and most of them I found to be fantastical. Other than Huxton, everywhere else would not be a place which one would ever find within our real world. Which then in turn brings me to this book’s genre label. Gifted is a contemporary fantasy novel. While I have experience with high fantasy novels and world, I know that some readers cannot handle such things, or are simply wishing to dip their toes into the fantasy genre before deciding whether they will full immerse themselves or not. I believe Gifted to be an ideal book for said “toe-dipping,” because while it does contain fantastical elements, there is still enough reality to balance things out, and which readers inexperienced with fantasy can uses as a sort of anchor.

In general, I found Gifted to be light and enjoyable, with hints of darker themes and violence brewing just beneath the surface. As the first book of the series, Gifted functions as a doorway into Ava and Theo’s world/s, and also as the build up to the books to follow.

I WILL DEFINITELY RECOMMEND THIS BOOK TO FRIENDS WHO LIKE CONTEMPORARY FICTION, AS WELL AS THOSE WHO LOVE FANTASY, BECAUSE GIFTED IS THE PERFECT BALANCE OF BOTH!

[AmandaEmma · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a physical review copy from the author in exchange for an honest review. This has in no way swayed my opinion.

Gifted is a book I've been putting off for a while because I wasn't really in the mood for it. I decided to pick it up nonetheless since I'd promised the author to read and review it in July so here we are! I really enjoyed the book though and I devoured, yes devoured, it, in a matter of a few hours.

In Gifted we meet Avery Gray, or Ava, and she just happens to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. She was on her way to restaurant to meet one of her friends, took a shortcut and ended up in a bookstore with a dying old lady. Long story short: she becomes 'gifted' - a person with a supernatural gift in whatever way or form.

I really enjoyed getting to know Ava and I loved her character! She loves to read and draw, and I can especially relate to the book part! There's even a lot of quotes about reading, which I've of course written down for future usage.
The first big scene takes place in a bookstore, as mentioned before, and I just loved it! A major component in the entire plot takes place in a book store for christ sake and I can't stop thinking about it.

I absolutely love that the characters are older than our usual YA books, and I would even classify it as NA (new adult) because our characters are over 18. Ava is 19, our love interest, Theo, is 20, and the rest of the characters we follow are also in that age group. Because I'm just as old as they are, I can relate to them more, and I definitely enjoy the book more because of it. I've outgrown YA - even though this book is marketed YA.
My favorite character is probably Lucas, one of Theo's and now Ava's best friends, he's so funny and I laughed out loud multiple times because of him. I really enjoyed Ava and his' relationship.
I didn't enjoy the love aspect of the story though! I won't spoil the book for you, so I'm not going to tell anything in particular. Ava should have been more careful with her friend's feelings, and I definitely like her less because of it. Theo ruined everything by not saying anything so he also fell down some steps because of it. That is why Lucas is my favorite character.
Another thing I didn't like is the fact that Ava practically abandons her 'mortal' friends after she meets her 'gifted' friends. I know they have a battle to prepare for, but she abandoned them long before that.

The world is also very intriguing, it's very colourful - which is a joke you'll get once you read the book. We have our world and then we have a world for the gifted which is called Naveya, we spent a lot of time in Hayven though - a city in Naveya. Hayven is a very interesting place and I really enjoyed seeing that part of the 'world'. I love when we get to see new places through literature and Hayven is definitely a magical place.

The first word that comes to mind when thinking about Gifted is honestly 'colourful' - I love it.

Gifted is a great book which has some issues but I enjoyed it nonetheless!

[Eustacia Tan · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars, bumping up to 4

I finished the book, and then I realised what it reminded me of - The Incredibles and Sky High. Maybe more Sky High than incredibles. Anyway, as the two movies should have clued you in, Gifted is about a bunch of kids with superpowers who have to save their world.

Ava was perfectly ordinary until she came across a dying woman. Before the lady died though, she gave Ava a cryptic message and passed a Gift to her. And just like that, Ava becomes gifted. With her new abilities (and she's not too sure what it is either), she meets Theo, a handsome guy who introduces her to Hayven, a magical city only for gifted. As Ava comes to terms with her gift, she makes new friends.

There was a lot I liked about this, and a bit that I didn't quite like. So, let's start with the good:

Hayven and the gifted people sound incredible. They all have different powers (though some can be similar), and I loved reading about how things work in that world. In general, the world building and the back-story of this book was solid.

Character-wise, my favourite character had to be Baleigh. She's this no-nonsense girl from Hayven, and I want her to be my new friend, even if she spends the first few weeks acting like I'm annoying. She's incredibly direct, but she's also kind. There's no "mean girl" exterior, just someone who's really blunt.

Now for the stuff that I didn't quite like.

First, is the romance. That shouldn't be much of a surprise to regular readers, because I'm not a big romance fan. I could have accepted the insta-love because it wasn't too strong, but what annoyed me was how immature Theo was the whole time. I get it, he's supposed to be a nice guy with a mean girlfriend, but I was just sighing the whole time. [Slight spoilers] Guy, if you like another girl, it's unfair to your current girlfriend if you stay with her. And it's unfair to the girl to lead her on.

The second is a slightly bigger issue for me: it's the pacing. After the really exciting start, the first two thirds of the book has nothing going on. Sure, Ava is learning and all that, but the stakes set in the opening chapters quickly fizzle out. Ava's life becomes all about Hayven, and her former "best friend" and good friends are nothing more than an afterthought. There is some attempt at explaining why the friendship died, but I wasn't very convinced.

Basically, the first two thirds was a bit boring to me. I wanted more action. However, things picked up in the last third, as I found out important details about what Ava is supposed to do, and the threat level increases. I'm definitely interested in finding out what happens next.

Disclaimer: I got a free copy of this book from the author via Enchanted Blog Tours in exchange for a free and honest review.

This review was first posted at Inside the mind of a Bibliophile

[Claire · Rating 2 out of 5]

Read the full review on my blog

I really wanted to like this book. The premise sounded interesting, and parts of it were very original and unique. Unfortunately, I wasn't too impressed overall.

I'll start with the basics. There were multiple spelling and grammar errors, and while they didn't necessarily take away from the story, I definitely noticed them and it made it a bit of a choppy read. The pacing also wasn't great. The first half of the book felt much too long, and then the end felt rushed. There are going to be four books in this series, so maybe the next one will be better because all of the introductions have been taken care of.

I think that I was expected to be attached to the characters by the end of the book, and I wanted to be, but their personalities weren't shown enough for me to connect with them. At times it was hard for me to remember which character was which, and after reading the book I still don't know much more about some of them other than how they dress.

Avery's relationships with these characters aren't done justice either. She goes from meeting them to being friends with them very abruptly. In the timespan of the book it makes sense, but we never read about them growing closer, so it's a bit of a shock when they appear again in later chapters acting like they're best friends. (more)

[Beth Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

Disclaimer: I have been provided with a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
Synopsis: There is no chosen one in this story.
Avery Gray was just in the wrong place at the wrong time and happened to make a decision that altered her future forever. It happens to all of us every day.
Avery is a size twelve university student with a penchant for dry humour, and she's as normal as they come. One rainy afternoon, Avery had to make a choice: go through the alleyway or around it. Two possible options. One would have had her future continue on as planned, the other would ensure that her future never remained the same again. She unknowingly went with the latter.
Change can be good. It can bring new opportunities, new friends and a life you never thought possible. Change can be bad. It can bring you people determined to burn your city to the ground.
It all depends on the decisions you make.

This book has simply blown me away, and I really wasn't expecting it!

The plot...is fast paced, enthralling and made my heart pound. I haven't felt this involved in a novel for a while, and I still feel lucky to have been able to feel so close to such amazing characters and an incredible story.

The characters...made this book relatable. I love the great mixture of contemporary and fantasy in this novel, it was perfect. But the thing that made this book so good for Young Adults is the characters. They're just like you and me, but they're enhanced. Different. Gifted. That doesn't mean they're not relatable.

The writing...I am in awe of J.A. George for what she has created with Gifted. What an amazing mix, a lovely sweet-and-sour combination that really, really worked. I am a lover of contemporary but have recently found joy in fantasy, so the two are perfect!

Something I liked...as I'm sure you've gathered by now, is the contemporary/fantasy mixture. I have never read a book quite like Gifted, but that's what made it such an enjoyable read. I love a good, different novel, especially with such a fresh and engaging plot!

Something I disliked...nothing! There's a small, petty part of me that would have liked slightly more romance between two characters I won't say the names of...but apart from that, I adore this book!

My rating is...

☽ ☽ ☽ ☽ ☽
5 out of 5 moons

Like the sound of Gifted? Take a look at the intriguing character interview Jessica provided me with here!

-Beth

May your shelves forever overflow with books! ☽

[Nicole · Rating 3 out of 5]

Firstly, a very big thank you to J.A. George, who was kind enough to send me a copy of Gifted to review!

Gifted was a great book with upbeat, fun and realistic characters and an interesting plot that I thoroughly enjoyed.

The first thing that hit me, from the very first page of Gifted, was the powerful sense of atmosphere. The glum and rainy day, the way it was described, really set the tone for the first chapter and made it engaging and interesting, something that carried on throughout the novel.

I really liked Ava as a character – she was so real in that she struggles with issues such as body image, and is learning to accept herself, something that so many people can relate to, connect with and take inspiration from.

Besides Ava, there was an interesting and fun cast of characters in her friend group in Hayven and I really enjoyed reading about them all, despite feeling at times there needed to be more to show the development of their friendship with Ava. I feel like there was a lot more development in Ava’s relationship with Theo (who I loved) and I adored their friendship at the beginning of the book. I did, however, feel like their chemistry lacked somewhat a little further in the book, before picking back up towards the end. I would have loved to have gotten to know each of the other characters more slowly, like with Theo, and to flesh them out a little more, yet from what I do know about them, I loved. I loved how each character was so different and unique in their own ways, and remained a vital part of the story instead of being pushed to the side in the midst of the plot.

The writing style was very engaging but, I found, a little over descriptive at times. I liked the unique plotline, and the idea of Madrina and the Cliders, but there were also times when I wished for more action or something to drive the plot forward – though it never got boring. Gifted seemed to focus more on setting up the context and suspense for the upcoming battles that Ava must face, and I feel like there’s going to be a LOT more action in Book 2. I am very excited to see more of Ava & co in the next book!

Gifted was the intriguing first book in the Hayven Series, which sets up the rest of the series for a lot more action, suspense, romance and epic battles.

More on my blog!

[Courtney Pletcher · Rating 4 out of 5]

One rainy afternoon, college student Avery, a seemingly normal person, decided to do something not so normal and go through an alleyway instead of around it. When she stumbles upon a mysterious murder in a curious bookshop, her life changes forever.

With the guidance of an enigmatic young man named Theodore-James Connors, Avery learns of a hidden city named Hayven that only “Gifted” individuals can travel to. While Avery explores the magical city and her own gifts, she gains a new circle of diversely ethnic and Gifted friends.

But something dark lingers from the city’s past. Cliders, Gifted turned rogue, are determined to help their notorious leader, Madrina, rise to power again and return Hayven to darkness. Ava embarks on a mission with her new friends to try and stop Madrina along with her Cliders from obliterating Havyen and everyone that they love.

I found this story be quite the gem. Avery or “Ava,” as she prefers to be called is a totally relatable character.

The story is narrated in first person by Ava. I loved her dry sense of humor, sass, and sarcasm. She was a very easy character to like and follow. I love when authors cultivate new and other worlds. Gifted and its Hayven world were extremely well written! I found the beginning very fast paced and a turbo page-turning experience.

I noticed how every new character introduced got their own detailed description, and although I found it helpful to grasp a sense of the character, there were times when I felt like it was marginally overdone. I also felt like the middle of the book got a little more caught up in the dating lives of some of the characters than I think that I would have liked, and I’m over here like, “Umm, don’t we have a murder to solve and evil villain to defeat?” Technically they were working on it the whole time, slowly, but surely. The suspense was probably more entertaining for me than irksome.

Now I loved the descriptions of Hayven! The trees and park sounded so magically gorgeous! The author does a great job of continuously revealing this other world’s wonder and enchantment for Ava, even perpetuating Ava to strive harder to do what she can to save it! Whether Ava succeeds in defeating Madrina or not, I won’t say. You’ll have to read Gifted yourself to find out!

[Nick Rossi · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the same vein of The Hunger Games and The Divergent Series, J.A. George’s “Gifted” contains the central theme of a strong female character who has unbearable demands on her shoulders. The female hero in “Gifted” is Avery Gray, an inquisitive being who has been chosen for a unique kind of eminence, despite the fact that her young mind may not be able to see that being different is indeed what makes us great.

As the title alludes to, Ava is gifted, and as such, is sent to live in a lone city where others of her kind dwell. It is here that her story truly begins. She soon meets magical and ethereal beings and begins to grasp the gravity of her true enormity. The author introduces stock characters that assist Ava in her reluctant quest into the realization of her true potential. Among these is a love interest, a boy who aids Ava on her journey towards self-realization. Obviously the story cannot be all joys and giggles, and therefore the author has the endearing Ava bequeathed the task of saving this new city she calls home.

Promising new author J.A. George manages to include all of the required themes and plot constructs that make these types of stories so popular. From intrigue, to elaborate magic, to suspense, and to the discovery of both positive and negative human emotion, “Gifted” touches upon these with grace and maturity. George’s writing style can be described as accessible at best. She does not beat around the bush when detailing ornate settings or witty banter between the characters.

On another note, I must concede that I found it rather quite consoling that there are still ambitious authors out there who wish to write a story that is not solely focused on the deterioration of modern society or feature characters that are spiteful and mean. J.A. George’s “Gifted,” while having some unsavory plot developments and characters, focuses primly on one girl’s journey towards acceptance and hope.
For fans of adventure fiction and dystopian fantasy, J.A. George’s “Gifted” is for you. Give it a go - it’s escapism with a twist.

Like what you read? Read more reviews at www.readingotherpeople.com

[Carrianne · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 Stars

If I’m completely honest, I enjoyed this book much more than I was anticipating and I’m absolutely thrilled. For those of you who have been following my blog for a while, you’d know that I have been in and out of a slump since late February/March. I’ve read a handful of books that I’ve really enjoyed, but so far most of what I’ve read this year has hit the mark.

Thankfully, Gifted hit the nail right on the head and has definitely helped to pull me out of my slump. I really liked Ava, and I thought that she was an extremely likable and therefore relatable character. I think her reaction is perfect for the situation; if I started hearing voices in my head, I too would try to play it off, and gradually think I’m going insane. She has average struggles with body image (no matter how much she tries to deny it, but don’t we all?), boys, and her “friends.” She deals with them like any other person in her shoes would (by talking to her best friend, having a good cry, or sleeping it off), and although she’s going through all of this stuff in Hayven, I think she manages to balance things quite well.

I didn’t care for her initial group of friends, at least once they started to show their true colors. I felt that something about Toni was...off, especially in the way that she seemed to talk Ava into doing things she didn’t really want to do (don’t even get me started about what happened at the club). I felt that Toni was whiny and inconsiderate of Ava, which really made me dislike her. However, with the way that the plot played out, and Ava finding a new group of friends that actually cared for her and she felt apart of, I completely understand why J.A. George wrote her that way. It made saying goodbye to them a whole lot easier. I felt like applauding when things finally clicked for Ava and she realized that Toni probably thought she was a pushover and Ava finally stood up for herself. She didn’t need the kind of friend who ignored her advice and thought only of herself in her life. Not when she had the friends she made in Hayven.

Read the full review on my blog (AND enter my giveaway): http://wp.me/p79xFy-19d

[Chantel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Copy provided by author.

What can I say? I was not expecting this book to turn out the way it did! Jessica George had me hooked on Gifted from the very first sentence to the last. I was constantly hungry for more, and having just finished this book, I will say I'm still quite hungry.

Gifted follows Ava Gray and a group of friends she meets through some interesting events. Ava is immediately thrown into a whole new world when she is walking to meet a friend and ends up finding Sidra Calix dying in Hayven Books. This isn't just a normal death though. Sidra's blood is glittery and as quickly as it flows out of her body, it seems to flow right back in. Before disappearing, Sidra tells Ava that she is the only hope of saving their world. If she didn't there would be "terrible darkness."

Ava quickly starts to realize that she is able to hear peoples thoughts and she returns to meet Theo Connors who will soon explain what's going on and prove to Ava that she is not crazy. He takes her to a whole new world called Hayven, a city within the country of Naveya where only those who are gifted can enter. That's what both Ava and Theo are. Gifted.

Throughout the book Ava meets a whole new group of friends Baleigh, Lucas, Ollie, Peyton, and Faye and together they figure out that Madrina, the evil woman who once tried to rule over all of Naveya with her followers, Cliders, are coming back and will attempt to assume they're wishes again.

Although I felt like there was a lot of talking about things that were not really important to the story line, once I finished the book, it all made sense. Like I said before, Jessica George had me hooked from the beginning to the end and I always wanted to continue reading. After finishing, I am looking forward to more adventures from the Gifted clan!

Jessica George is a fantastic writer. There were certain spots that could have used some revising, but that is to be expected of any book. I enjoyed her descriptive story line and the way she was able to bring you into their world.

Overall, I give this title 4.5 stars!

[Dana Lowe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Come on admit it deep down we've all dreamed of having some sort of special gift that is considered “paranormal” at some point in our lives, possibly still do. Some of us, maybe do have these gifts, or at least believe we have these gifts. “Gifted” helps us believe that it is still real, and how it feels to discover the potential, both the good and the bad that can come from having these special gifts.

Ava is an adorable “average” nineteen year old girl, off to college, experiencing life on her own with good friends and up in the air about where she wants her life to go. Her chance encounter at Haven Books turns her world upside down and confuses her more than ever. I think everyone can remember that moment when you felt, there is something I know I have to do here, but I'm scared because it's not on the rough draft of the path I thought I was on. Some choose to ignore the feeling and move on, others, like Ava, step through the proverbial looking glass.

Real life, fantasy, magic, love, heartbreak, growing up, becoming aware, and finding a higher calling, you find all this and more in Gifted and it's woven together with such great detail that you just can't help but get sucked in forever waiting for the “big reveal.”

I identified with Ava because even though I am approaching the big 4-0 I remember those forks in the road where hard choices had to be made, and circumstances were so out of this world foreign to me. You love where you are, who you're with, your family and friends, but there is a whole unexplored world waiting for you too. It's a scary thing. J.A. George captured this angst and wonder amazingly well, and with such creativity. I chose to read this book on a sunny day in my lounge chair outside. This turned out to be a bad choice because I got so lost in the book I forgot to stop and reapply sunscreen now and then. I'm a little red now, but well sated from a good book. I'll remember to set a timer when I read book 2!

[Deborah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review also posted on; Hills of Books

I received a e-copy of this book from the author in exchange for a honest review, this has not effected my review in any way.

One of the first things I noticed when I started to read this book was the descriptive style of writing. This detailed description is most prominent in the first few chapters but as the characters return to familiar places these long descriptions become less frequent.

At the start of the book everything is a bit confusing and for the first few chapters I wasn't entirely sure what was going on. It was very cleverly written because as the reader, you are searching and hungering for more information just as the main character is.

It was clear quite early on in the book that relationships was going to be an important feature. Also with the help of the gift it was clear that their relationship's weren't going to be straight forward. With the introduction of new characters and as Avery get's to know more about each of this new group, it is clear they too have their own web of relationship issues.

I got so caught up in Avery's discovery and exportation of the gifted, as well as the relationship drama that I had forgotten about the prophesy/prediction that Sidra told Avery just before her death. It wasn't until about half way through that it began to play a big role in shaping the storyline. The second half felt far more like a fantasy story, and it puts everything in place for an interesting and dramatic sequel.

Overall this book was a lovely blend of YA contemporary and fantasy, where an unlikely incident leads a student on a path she never imagined possible. A web of relationship issues that I look forward to being unravelled and doom and gloom prophesy that much be prevented from becoming reality. This book has a great range of characters and so many interesting gifts which I can't wait to see in action.

[Elise Luquette · Rating 3 out of 5]

Review originally posted http://thebookforums.blogspot.com/201...

First, I would like to thank Jessica George for giving me the chance to read Gifted. Gifted is an book with good ideas that I would not have checked out otherwise and; overall, it was okay…

My main problem with Gifted is that the plot is made of two stories that feel they are both fighting for attention. There is the plot about Avery, her friends, and their relationships; and the plot about Madrina returning to take over Hayven. On paper these ideas are great-- I love both small stories about friends and their feelings as well as stories about people who need to save the world-- but neither idea is given the time needed to work together. The ideas aren’t balanced well with each other, leaving the reader feeling unsatisfied. If there had been more about Madrina and her returning, I would’ve enjoyed the book a lot more since that was that the part of the plot I was more invested in.

Like many series, I found the side characters in Gifted far more interesting than the main ones, and I was specifically interested in the villains. I guess it was because they were mostly kept mysterious so I wanted to know more about them. Everytime someone started talking about Hayven’s past or Madrina, I got really interested and I wanted to know more! I really wish the villains could've had more time to shine in Gifted. My other favorite character was Baleigh. She was very self-assured and different than any other character in the book so she stole many scenes.

Overall, I enjoyed parts of Gifted (specifically the parts involving the return of Madrina). The plot was kind of cluttered and confused but the side characters were great. The plot had good ideas and better excicution would have helped Gifted greatly. I would recommend Gifted for anyone who finds the synopsis interesting and I hope you enjoy it!

[Sue · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received a free copy of this book in return for an honest review.

Gifted is a well written fantasy and paranormal story about an ordinary teenager who suddenly finds herself with extraordinary abilities. After a tragic incident, Ava meets Theo who tells her about her gift and through him she meets other gifted people, ones who can change the weather, become invisible, turn people into stone, change their form, read minds, and many more. Ava also discovers the evil Cliders, gifted ones but with darkness in them, and Ava and her new gifted friends are fearful of the evil returning.

JA George has written this story with lots of imagery and very detailed descriptions. As nice as the writing is, it felt somewhat excessive to me, and it seemed to take a long time to get through a scene because every minute detail was given. For me, so much detail was unnecessary and this slowed down the pace of the story. I also felt there were too many characters in the story and I had to really focus to keep up with who was who.

However, the premise of the book is interesting and kept me involved from the beginning to the end, and I liked the inclusion of some romance between Ava and Theo with the little hiccups of Theo’s girlfriend and the ungifted friend of Ava who wanted to date her. I also liked how Ava’s relationships with the gifted people developed during the story and how her relationships with her ungifted friends also changed.

The ending was climactic but clearly is to be continued in the next book in the series.

I would recommend this book for anyone who likes stories about people with supernatural abilities and good versus evil and if you like very descriptive writing styles.

[Jacqui · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fantasy adventure with a touch of romance, suitable for young adults and up and the first in the Hayven series.

All Avery wanted was to take a short cut. Little did she know that this would lead her to Hayven Books and the giving of a gift as well as a prophecy by a lady named Sidra. Madrina and her cliders are coming back and Avery has to save everyone? What on earth does that mean? Avery is introduced to the world of Hayven where everyone has a special gift. A world just beyond her own where telepathy, teleportation and precognition exist. Along with some new fantastically gifted friends, Avery must find a way to stop Madrina and her cliders from stealing the stars from the sky and once again turning the world into a dark place.

This is a gem of a novel. I loved the parallel worlds idea and how people and their colours move between them. The love interest angle is sweet and heartfelt and brought a smile to my face a number of times. The characters, their descriptions and their personality traits were very true to life and I often felt as though I was part of the circle of friends. The pace of the novel can be a little slow every now and then but overall a comfortable read. Only one or two typos throughout made for good reading.

A very enjoyable novel with a great lead into the series and I eagerly await the next one!