 | ONCE UPON A TIME, THERE WAS A CURSE Hesitant to enter the kingdom, spirited and stubborn Pipiera grudgingly accepts a task to save a fledgling earth-dwelling boy, Matthew, from sabotaging his own future. Challenged with the pull of an obsessive emotion from her past life, she’s unequipped to handle the mission, let alone discern the perplexing interference from a rebel–an unearthly soul who takes great interest in both she and the boy and who relentlessly seeks to capture their affection. As Matthew’s world spins throughout the cosmos, his mother’s world churns at his bedside while she awaits an unknowing outcome. Who overcomes? Who ends up cursed forever? |
The Gatekeeper’s Descendants is an easy-to-read, thought-inspiring fantasy. The story weaves together adventure in the afterlife with growing faith and family drama.
BEAUTIFUL… TWISTED… LIVELY…
BEAUTIFUL… TWISTED… LIVELY…
Genre: Christian/Fiction/Fantasy
Release date: September 2021
Release date: September 2021
Click here to get your copy!
My Review
Will his grief & anger have eternal consequences?
Over the years I've read quite a number of fantasy books, probably more than even I would have thought, from fairytale retellings to J.R.R. Tolkein's The Silmarilion, and I have to so that The Gatekeeper's Descendants has got to be one of the most unique.
Author Johanna Frank takes on the daunting topic of heaven and earth and the transitions in between. However, as important as that is the part that really spoke to me was the fact that none of us are accidents, we were put here for a purpose, no matter how long or short our time on earth is, no matter if we don't yet know what that purpose is or if we've simply lost sight, it all has meaning.
I will admit that sometimes the, I guess I would call it 'earth-izing' of heaven, made me a little uncomfortable. However, I can also see exactly why that tack was taken instead of a more abstract heaven that absolutely no reader can relate to. I can also tell you that that's exactly what got me thinking and pondering the entire topic.
Also please note that some minor teenager-esque language may be a little off-putting for a few readers.
The Gatekeeper's Descendants is a highly imaginative story with vivid settings. Though it is aimed at more of a teenage audience it's a novel that adults will find thought-provoking as well. All in all, Johanna Frank's debut was quite the interesting read...
Tell Tale Book Reviews gives The Gatekeeper's Descendants by Johanna Frank a 3.5 Bark rating.
Over the years I've read quite a number of fantasy books, probably more than even I would have thought, from fairytale retellings to J.R.R. Tolkein's The Silmarilion, and I have to so that The Gatekeeper's Descendants has got to be one of the most unique.
Author Johanna Frank takes on the daunting topic of heaven and earth and the transitions in between. However, as important as that is the part that really spoke to me was the fact that none of us are accidents, we were put here for a purpose, no matter how long or short our time on earth is, no matter if we don't yet know what that purpose is or if we've simply lost sight, it all has meaning.
I will admit that sometimes the, I guess I would call it 'earth-izing' of heaven, made me a little uncomfortable. However, I can also see exactly why that tack was taken instead of a more abstract heaven that absolutely no reader can relate to. I can also tell you that that's exactly what got me thinking and pondering the entire topic.
Also please note that some minor teenager-esque language may be a little off-putting for a few readers.
The Gatekeeper's Descendants is a highly imaginative story with vivid settings. Though it is aimed at more of a teenage audience it's a novel that adults will find thought-provoking as well. All in all, Johanna Frank's debut was quite the interesting read...
Tell Tale Book Reviews gives The Gatekeeper's Descendants by Johanna Frank a 3.5 Bark rating.
(I received a copy of this book from the author. All opinions are entirely my own.)
More from Johanna
Hey, hello! It sure is a pleasure to be here 😊.
I’ve always believed it’s a gift when others just happen to come into our lives. Sometimes it’s like a drift and ever so brief, maybe even digital. But always, I like to think anyway; it is for a reason. Sadly, we simply don’t see it that way.
That was just one premise for The Gatekeeper’s Descendants. There is so much more to our life journey than what we see and, therefore, what we could possibly appreciate.
According to some translators of ancient Greek (yes, I google the internet a great deal), the term we so often use today to explain chance happenings, coincidence, is derived from the word synkyrian – a combination of two words: sun and kurios. Sun reported as meaning “together with” and kurios reported as meaning “supreme in authority.” So, a chance happening, meeting someone along one’s path in life? …not an accident. The question becomes why.
As far as the story in The Gatekeeper’s Descendants goes, sure, I had a plot in mind. But those wonderful fictional characters came first, and I quickly discovered they had much to say about their own decisions and paths.
I’ve always believed it’s a gift when others just happen to come into our lives. Sometimes it’s like a drift and ever so brief, maybe even digital. But always, I like to think anyway; it is for a reason. Sadly, we simply don’t see it that way.
That was just one premise for The Gatekeeper’s Descendants. There is so much more to our life journey than what we see and, therefore, what we could possibly appreciate.
According to some translators of ancient Greek (yes, I google the internet a great deal), the term we so often use today to explain chance happenings, coincidence, is derived from the word synkyrian – a combination of two words: sun and kurios. Sun reported as meaning “together with” and kurios reported as meaning “supreme in authority.” So, a chance happening, meeting someone along one’s path in life? …not an accident. The question becomes why.
As far as the story in The Gatekeeper’s Descendants goes, sure, I had a plot in mind. But those wonderful fictional characters came first, and I quickly discovered they had much to say about their own decisions and paths.
| Important to me was to incorporate realisms: personality traits, emotional challenges, tough situations and simply, life in general. And then place all such realities alongside characters from an ethereal and lively kingdom. Of course, what would a kingdom be without its rebels? This fantasized world in charge of intervening to make chance happenings actually happen, or, interfering to disrupt the course of one’s path? Well, what fun! I totally loved the adventure of writing this novel. But please, be rest assured. Faith is central in my life, and I did my utmost to treat it with great and utter respect. |  |
And you are part of this equation. That is the most exciting part for me: your experience with the read. One reader told me how grateful she was after reading The Gatekeeper’s Descendants for the hope it gave, particularly as it came at such a perfect time—weeks following the loss of a parent. Another said it brought to her imagination the child she lost at infancy and the absolute joyous wonder of her lively existence now. Yet another felt the appreciation of having a chance at feeling a troubled teen’s point of view and the potential of very real battles that are not always visible. As one reviewer put it, “this is a story that has something to impart to even the most cynical among us.”
Without readers, writers simply wouldn’t have much purpose. So, a heartfelt thank you. I hope you will give The Gatekeeper’s Descendants a chance even if it is a diversion from your normal genre.
I would absolutely love to connect and hear your experience with the story!
And may you journey well!
Johanna Frank
Without readers, writers simply wouldn’t have much purpose. So, a heartfelt thank you. I hope you will give The Gatekeeper’s Descendants a chance even if it is a diversion from your normal genre.
I would absolutely love to connect and hear your experience with the story!
And may you journey well!
Johanna Frank
 Johanna Frank | To Johanna Frank, retirement means the freedom to do what she simply loves—bringing family and friends together with good food. But even better is the space to pen creative, inspirational fiction; stories she hopes will touch the lives of her readers. Johanna lives in the Waterloo Region of Ontario, Canada with husband, Joe, cherishing and watching their children and their families as they churn through life and develop into their own wonderful characters. At the time of publishing, Johanna’s The Gatekeeper’s Descendants was declared a Winner of The Word Guild’s 2021 Word Awards. The Gatekeeper’s Descendants is Johanna Frank’s debut novel. |
It's Time For A Giveaway!
To celebrate her tour, Johanna is giving away the grand prize package of
a $50 Amazon gift card and a signed hardcover copy of the book!!
a $50 Amazon gift card and a signed hardcover copy of the book!!
Click below to enter. Be sure to comment on this post before you enter to claim 9 extra entries!
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By the Book, February 12
Tell Tale Book Reviews, February 13
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, February 14
For Him and My Family, February 15
Inklings and notions, February 16
Locks, Hooks and Books, February 17
deb’s Book Review, February 18
Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, February 19
Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, February 20
Musings of a Sassy Bookish Mama, February 21
A Modern Day Fairy Tale, February 22 (Spotlight)
Through the Fire Blogs, February 22
Blogging With Carol, February 23
Wishful Endings, February 24 (Author Interview)
Texas Book-aholic, February 12
By the Book, February 12
Tell Tale Book Reviews, February 13
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, February 14
For Him and My Family, February 15
Inklings and notions, February 16
Locks, Hooks and Books, February 17
deb’s Book Review, February 18
Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, February 19
Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, February 20
Musings of a Sassy Bookish Mama, February 21
A Modern Day Fairy Tale, February 22 (Spotlight)
Through the Fire Blogs, February 22
Blogging With Carol, February 23
Wishful Endings, February 24 (Author Interview)
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