| The fellowship of the Gifted is thirteen in number-each in possession of a divine purpose, each forging ahead as catalysts in a war between light and dark. Among them are Sir Gianni de Capezzana and Daria d'Angelo, a couple in pursuit of new goals-to face down the Church and yet avoid being burned as heretics. Trailed by the enemy, and on the run in an unpredictable land, they're offered tenuous sanctuary… Behind the walls of the wondrous Castle Les Baux, Gianni and Daria find respite and, at long last, love. Yet the enemy draws nearer-promising that the Gifted will know sorrow, fear, and ultimate defeat-hunting them every step of the way. But God's Gifted shall not be thwarted… Paperback: 400 pages Published: September 27th 2021 Publisher: Stonewater Books ISBN-13: 9780988547698 |  |
My Review
Their greatest battles lies ahead...
I'm at a bit of a loss as to where to start. The Gifted has been such a sweeping epic that encapsulating my thoughts on the dramatic and wrenching conclusion into a few paragraphs is quite difficult.
In many ways Blessed was the hardest book of the trilogy to read. Evil seems to triumph and reminiscent of Tolkein's books things only get darker and seem more hopeless as the end draws closer. But...when things are darkest is when faith shines the brightest, when things seem hopeless is when God can do great miracles. I honestly don't know what Lisa T. Bergren intended to be the deepest message through this story but I know that the things that reached down into my heart mainly revolved around the need to, use the Word of God as a sword when battling the enemy, to as the Bible says 'count the cost', that while obedience is better than sacrifice they often go hand in hand, and that our faith should match our God.
As to the fiction aspects of the story, Blessed is a very moving tale that engages your emotions and transports you to medieval France and Italy. I'll admit that the plot didn't always go the way I wanted it to, and sometimes I wanted to yell “NO!” out loud, but it tells you just how invested I was in the novel.
Once again I was completely impressed with Lisa T. Bergren's skill at telling a story rife with the impossible without painting her characters with a modern brush. Thanks to the Age Of Enlightenment we have long been out of touch with the spiritual realm and with the miraculous aspects of our faith, both elements which people of the era in which The Gifted is set would have been familiar. The characters are wonderful in their tragedies, triumphs, and in their relatable human frailties.
Medieval era historical fiction, yes. An epic tale of intrigue and romance, yes. Valuable lessons in faith and spiritual warfare, yes. Blessed has all of that and more. Don't miss The Gifted series from the talented pen of Lisa T. Bergren. Just remember the most important thing...after darkness comes light...
Tell Tale Book Reviews gives Blessed by Lisa T. Bergren a 4 Bark rating.
I'm at a bit of a loss as to where to start. The Gifted has been such a sweeping epic that encapsulating my thoughts on the dramatic and wrenching conclusion into a few paragraphs is quite difficult.
In many ways Blessed was the hardest book of the trilogy to read. Evil seems to triumph and reminiscent of Tolkein's books things only get darker and seem more hopeless as the end draws closer. But...when things are darkest is when faith shines the brightest, when things seem hopeless is when God can do great miracles. I honestly don't know what Lisa T. Bergren intended to be the deepest message through this story but I know that the things that reached down into my heart mainly revolved around the need to, use the Word of God as a sword when battling the enemy, to as the Bible says 'count the cost', that while obedience is better than sacrifice they often go hand in hand, and that our faith should match our God.
As to the fiction aspects of the story, Blessed is a very moving tale that engages your emotions and transports you to medieval France and Italy. I'll admit that the plot didn't always go the way I wanted it to, and sometimes I wanted to yell “NO!” out loud, but it tells you just how invested I was in the novel.
Once again I was completely impressed with Lisa T. Bergren's skill at telling a story rife with the impossible without painting her characters with a modern brush. Thanks to the Age Of Enlightenment we have long been out of touch with the spiritual realm and with the miraculous aspects of our faith, both elements which people of the era in which The Gifted is set would have been familiar. The characters are wonderful in their tragedies, triumphs, and in their relatable human frailties.
Medieval era historical fiction, yes. An epic tale of intrigue and romance, yes. Valuable lessons in faith and spiritual warfare, yes. Blessed has all of that and more. Don't miss The Gifted series from the talented pen of Lisa T. Bergren. Just remember the most important thing...after darkness comes light...
Tell Tale Book Reviews gives Blessed by Lisa T. Bergren a 4 Bark rating.
(I received a copy of this book from the author/publisher. All opinions are entirely my own.)
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