Gifted

by E.B. Dawson

In a city sinking into darkness and corruption, Spencer fights back the only way he knows how--with his fists. Desperate for a little extra cash to help him on his personal quest for justice, he seeks out an illegal fight club, hoping to win the open challenge and take the prize. But Spencer is about to discover truths about himself and the world around him that will change his life, and the way he fights, forever.

Genres: Short Stories

32 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 15, 2019

About the author

I grew up in Southeast Asia. My first experience with America was when I was six years old. Sometimes I amuse my friends by telling them stories of my first impressions of this country (clean bathrooms, Toy Story, Taco Bell, getting lost in department stores).

My family moved to California when I was eleven and completely changed the course of my life. On the outside I'm a well-adjusted American adult, but in all honesty some days I still wake up to the sound of the grass being cut by machetes.

I have traveled a fair amount and lived in four separate countries. I see the world very differently from most people that I know. And because I am an analytical introvert I try to understand everything in my life. I pour this into my writing.

Everything I write is deeply personal to me. People who know me well recognize the shadows of people I've met, experiences I've had, and emotions I've walked through in my writing. My goal is not just to entertain and explore imaginary worlds, but to take the reader on a journey that explores difficult questions and instills some sort of hope.

Reviews

[Faye Fite · Rating 5 out of 5]

This short story is incredibly powerful. My favorite quote was this:

"He knew nothing of the weakness and vulnerability that Amy knew, and so he couldn't know real strength, either."

This hit me so hard. Life is very difficult, and sometime it feels impossible to keep fighting against all of the pain and darkness around us. This story reminded me that our struggles do not have to be in vain. We all have unique gifts that we can use to lift up others (and ourselves). Sometimes we're too afraid or too stubborn to pursue our gifts, but that doesn't mean they aren't there.

Dawson delved into this idea and many more in such an honest, raw way. The entire story had so much energy and passion that I found chills running up and down my spine during several scenes. The world-building was very subtle and gave me just as much information as I needed to really feel for the characters and their journeys.

Gifted is masterfully written from beginning to end. I cannot recommend it highly enough.

[deborah o'carroll · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a fascinating story! I wasn’t always sure what was going on, but I knew I was hooked and couldn’t stop reading. This story had layers and it was so interesting to find each one behind the other. It’s some sort of Urban Fantasy mixed with superpowers and fist fighting in a ring, but it’s much more than that, somehow. I was so intrigued by Spencer and his story, and these other interesting people he meets. It was very vivid and I never wanted to stop reading, even if I didn’t necessarily “get” everything. It went in an unexpected direction, and definitely left me curious to know more.

[Katelyn Buxton · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think what I love most about the scope of Dawson’s short-story-writing is that it’s so wide—and Gifted is no exception. It’s a unique story that drops you straight into a decayed urban setting, and as others have said, it feels gritty. Clues to the answers to all of the questions are scattered deliberately throughout in a way that is usually reserved for mysteries, so the resolution is extra satisfying when everything comes to light. Despite having a definite ending, however, it also feels kind of like a prequel to a bigger story, so maybe we’ll see more of Spencer and the gifted in the future? *hint hint* :P

That said, Gifted is another hard-hitting and thoughtful short story on its own, and I’m privileged to have been able to read it.

[J.E. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This particular story is quite different from E.B. Dawson's other other works. It's like a blend of superhero and Urban Fantasy. The characters are vivid, easy to connect to, and make you want to follow them anywhere. It's more allegorical than other Dawson works, with the theme taking forefront and plot, character, setting, and style all bowing in service to it. It works brilliantly, leaving you feeling ready to rise up and take on the world. A must read of any E.B. Dawson fan, or spec fic fan in general.

[R.M. Archer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Both the worldbuilding and the characters in this story are excellent and deeply developed. This is a great beginning, and I hope to see more of this world in the future.

[S.M. M. Holland · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed the theme of this short story.. and like many of her other short stories, I would love to see more of this world! The urban fantasy feel was different, but gritty and wonderful. I loved the overall grey tone of this story... And I think you will too, it will make the light in the end seem all the more brighter!

[Janelle Garrett · Rating 5 out of 5]

DAWSON. Must have more of this, like, yesterday.

By far her best short story. CANNOT wait to read more.

[Justice · Rating 3 out of 5]

A story with troubled vigilantes, written by E.B. Dawson? Sign me up!
If you like Dawson's other works, you won't be disappointed.